Why the Food & Drink Industry Needs Compelling Pitch Decks to Entice Buyers & Distributors

Why the Food & Drink Industry Needs Compelling Pitch Decks to Entice Buyers & Distributors

We hear all the time from buyers and distributors in the food and drink industry, how swamped they get with requests from producers wanting them to list food and drink products in retail, in the on trade or in foodservice. 

Often, they are only going to make a few changes to a category in a review, yet they are seeing 10’s if not hundreds of products that business owners think should be in the running.

A clear, concise pitch deck can help them get buyer’s attention and give them a potential opportunity for a bigger conversation and a chance to show or send products.

Why does a Business need a Pitch Deck for Exporting Food & Drink to the UK? 

Increasingly in the UK hybrid working means there are fewer face to face meetings and businesses will often be asked to send information and product samples before even getting to meet anyone. To some extent this levels the playing field, as overseas producers can pitch without having to come, often at short notice, and possibly dependent on a visa arriving on time.

A pitch deck should have all the key information the buyer or distributor needs to know about your food and drink products, every aspect of pricing, growth strategy, marketing plans and support being offered to help the brand once listed, and it should also convey brand personality and energy.

Just like a CV must be tailored for every job application, each pitch deck should also be researched and refined for each business it is sent to.

Working as a brief presentation, a foot in the door to catch attention, a pitch deck is a necessary tool for your food and drink business to have in their arsenal. It will compile everything potential partners need to know and lead them through it as a person would have done if they had been in a meeting with the buyer, from the product’s RRP, their margin opportunities, to its compliance with regulations and the support your business is offering to launch the products too.  It should allow them to decide about whether they are interested, otherwise it will just linger in a pile as it requires more thought or information.

Whether you are a business exporting food and drink products to the UK or are UK based, here’s how your pitch deck can help sell your products to the UK market.

Our toolkit The essential elements of the perfect food and drink business pitch deck is free to download on our website https://janemilton.com/business-growth-tool-kit/  if you just need a few pointers and want to get creating your own deck right away.  If you need more help read on. 

Shine a Spotlight on The Product 

Firstly, it is a given that no deck is successful without a strong food and drink product, this is a competitive market, and the product or products have to be the star attraction.  If a brand is new to the UK or less well known then consider testimonials from existing buyers and consumers, details of awards and accolades, so they understand the product’s appeal.

 A well-crafted pitch deck allow will shine a light on a business and products too.  Having a pitch deck to support their endeavours will enable businesses to showcase their product’s unique value proposition, including quality, ingredients, unique attributes and market potential. 

As an example, if you are a business exporting vegan chocolate to the UK, this is your most important opportunity to highlight how the product aligns with the growing demand for cleaner, less processed vegan products in the UK, reassuring buyers of its unique proposition and market viability. 

Demonstrate Market Fit

Another key feature of a good food and drink pitch deck is to quickly convince retailers, distributors and potential partners that the product is a good fit for the UK market. Having a pitch deck ready to go is a great way to do this. The pitch deck can demonstrate a deep understanding of the UK market, its trends and regulations and pinpoint how the product aligns with this to make it a viable market proposition. It is also ideal to be able to say what products the distributor/ buyer has now that this product could replace and why – show you have reviewed their ranges and thought about the fit.

For example, if the focus is on exporting an organic product, the pitch deck may demonstrate how the product meets UK organic food labelling regulations. It’s a carefully curated brief showing how a business understands the export and market requirements including recent changes in UK regulations around organic products that have been implemented in 2024. We have over 35 years of experience and the best connections and are always delighted to help customers create their ideal team of experts, specific to their brand.

Highlight Regulation Compliance 

A pitch deck is also a vital component of selling food products to the UK buyers when it comes to highlighting the product’s adherence to UK Food Regulations. When approaching potential partners, distributors or investors, they’ll be looking for confirmation of this compliance almost immediately. 

Showing  accreditations to BRCGS,  HACCP processes, the trade bodies and associations the business is  part o,f be that B CORP, OF & G Organic Certification or awards from Free From, Great Taste or the Academy of Chocolate , they all help tell a story of the care your business takes and the importance you place on processes, raising standards and the awards give your potential buyer a better understanding of where your brand sits alongside others they may know already 

Having that information easily accessible in a pitch deck quells any concerns from the get-go and allows interested parties to focus on what the product has to offer, rather than the legal technicalities. 

Encourage Communication 

A pitch deck is a great tool for forming that initial connection with potential partners or distributors. It’s something that can be shared in person, via email, or even over Zoom in a clear, concise way. By doing so, minimal time is taken up, all necessary information is provided, and the product is strategically placed in front of those who matter. 

Once the pitch deck reaches the right eyes, communication is encouraged, and relevant parties are engaged and ready to discuss their willingness to partner and launch the product to the UK market. 

In addition to our toolkits which can be downloaded free of charge from the website we are always happy to talk if you need help with a pitch deck.  Book a time that suits you in my diary.