Meanwhile, a husband-and-wife duo based in Somerset has launched a non-profit online marketplace, Foodens, to help local businesses sell essential food items within their communities, while adhering to social distancing measures.

Despite the taxing impact of COVID-19, many small FMCG businesses will see opportunity in pivoting to online to boost sales. But how do they find and sell to the consumer? Young Foodies launches Mighty Small, a new online supermarket with community at its core, dedicated to small independent challenger brands. Inclusion in an exclusive, supportive community to ask and answer questions, access experts and teachers, share experiences and network with other small businesses.Mighty Small is a new online store supporting small independent brands and start-ups by offering a wide range of food and drink products for nationwide delivery. The Government is beginning to recognise the importance of the sector, and the recent freight and logistics and the planning system call for evidence has been seen as an important step forward. However, there are still huge steps to be made by local authorities when considering the impact on the local and national economy to raise the importance of industrial and logistics property alongside the historic focus on housing numbers. The report has illustrated that the demand for small to mid-box premises is likely to grow in the coming years, with demand predicted to reach anywhere between 16 million and 22 million sq. ft. per year between 2025 and 2026.

It has to be commercially smart for us, but we did not go into this with the same big commercial aims a retailer has.” OVERALL : I enjoyed my experience at this restaurant with my family & would highly recommend it, especially if you are gaming at SMAAASH.Entrepreneur-led brands with authentic values, ‘good for you’ and ‘good for the world’ - over 70% vegan The aim was to help startups “rejuvenate sales, boost cashflow and grow categories”, Young Foodies said, while educating and engaging consumers.

The aim of Mighty Small is to actively educate and engage consumers in wider and more exciting product choices, innovative flavours and ingredient authenticity available to them online, with the added convenience of home delivery. Delivery services will launch in London with a nationwide rollout to follow. Young Foodies will launch a DTC online store next week giving challenger brands a “hassle-free” route to e-commerce as online sales spike during the coronavirus crisis. Our online supermarket for small brands brings you the bestselling and most inspiring products made exclusively by British food & drink startups.Young Foodies was founded in 2017 to bring the consumer industry into the 21st century. In the last couple of years they have created the UK’s largest community of innovative FMCG brands – simultaneously providing that community with services to enable them to grow and operate like their big business counterparts. Our starting point is slightly different than that of a big retailer in that our primary initiative is driving growth for our community,” said Alexander.

This six-week programme to supercharge sole traders and micro businesses, concludes with a growth plan to support the next year of business opportunity. It will be delivered entirely online, allowing access from anywhere in the UK with flexible learning enabling opportunities for all. Craig Slatter, business development manager at participating brand Crosta & Mollica, comments: “Mighty Small solves one of our biggest challenges, which is to make our products more easily accessible to shoppers who love us.”

Sectors

To celebrate the graduation of businesses from the programme, an event will be held to celebrate the achievements of the participants and the goals of the programme. The Mighty Small concept was built within days to meet SMEs’ fast-changing needs, as challenger brands increasingly turn to e-commerce to offset plunging retail and foodservice sales. Small Business Britain is excited to deliver the Small & Mighty Enterprise Programme to help grow small businesses with expert guidance and mentoring. Mighty Small will be dedicated entirely to independent brands, allowing them to leverage e-commerce opportunities and access new channels and customers.