Functional drinks brand Hip Pop has been selected for Co-op’s newly introduced Accelerator programme, alongside nine other purpose-led brands.
Accelerator is open to both new and existing suppliers to support their brand development, providing participants with learning opportunities including masterclasses and mentor networking, category buyer access and support, plus admission to Co-op’s Gift to Give programme, where larger suppliers provide a helping hand to support smaller businesses.
Designed to boost brand development and growth for smaller suppliers, the Co-op’s Apiary programme - which now includes Accelerator - was first announced at the IGD Co-op Trade Briefing in September 2021. Later this year, it will see its third wave of suppliers hit the shelves in convenience retailer stores across the UK after coming through its third arm, the Incubator programme.
This latest achievement for Hip Pop comes after two of the brand’s award-winning products – the Strawberry & Pineapple Kombucha and the Cherry & Blackberry CBD Kombucha – hit the shelves in Co-op last month.
Co-founder, Emma Thackray, said: “We’re thrilled to be one of the first 10 brands in Co-op’s new Accelerator programme. As a scale-up brand, the support we will receive will be invaluable and will help us get to the next level.”
Rebecca Oliver-Mooney, Co-op head of commercial for drinks, frozen, community buying and the Apiary, added: “The addition of an Accelerator scheme to our Apiary means we can work with small suppliers at different stages of their journeys. We’re passionate about driving range diversity and supplier inclusivity, and we look for purpose-led suppliers who share co-operative values.
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