Co-op has opened applications for food and drinks businesses to join its incubator programme, with successful companies potentially securing a listing on its shelves.

The initiative, known as The Apiary, is designed to enable smaller or early stage businesses to become "retail ready" or "move to the next step of their development."

The programme, which is in its fifth wave, has led to 34 suppliers listing their products on the retailer's shelves since 2022, with 86 product lines brought to market.

Successful applicants will receive "hands-on" support designed to help strengthen their brand and business, including personalised mentoring, targeted masterclasses delivered by subject experts, and a supplier peer network.

The most recent business to gain a listing through Co-op’s Apiary programme is H.M.Pasties which landed its first-ever supermarket contract as it launched into almost 80 Co-op stores across Greater Manchester. The bakery was created to break the cycle of reoffending by providing jobs and training to people leaving prison.

Other new suppliers to work with Co-op’s Apiary programme during 2025, include Only With Love - NoLo brewery; Still Sisters –handcraft small-batch gins; Chu Lo Drinks – inspired by the popular Japanese drink Chuhai; Wild Thingz Organic Sweets; All Dressed Up – salad dressing; Up Up Chocolate and, Spruce – plastic-free, refillable cleaning and laundry products.

This year, Co-op said it is looking for products that include healthier savoury snacks; energy and high-protein snacks and, HFSS-compliant chocolate alternatives; fruit-based snacks; healthy sweet treats; functional drinks and confectionery; instant and ambient meal pots and pouches and, flavour-led impulse snacks with emerging global-inspired flavours.

“We’re working to help agile new producers with the potential to disrupt and challenge the market to grow and develop to their next level, and so it’s incredibly exciting to begin the search for the next wave of suppliers to join our Incubator programme," said Katie Schofield, Co-op buying manager, the Apiary. "We are focussed on making it easier for early stage businesses to become retail ready and thrive.

"Shoppers in convenience stores are open to discovering new products - looking for quality, value and innovation with products that can be consumed on-the-go or offer an element of healthy indulgence. We are looking for exciting and emerging new products from purpose-led suppliers with a real point of difference that can enthuse, excite and resonate with our customers.”

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