Tanpopo and HMart have outlined plans to further expand across the UK, providing more retailers access to the growing market of fresh Southeast Asian food.
Tanpopo, a specialist in Japanese cuisine, is currently centrally listed with Booker, Bestway, and Nisa. Additionally, retailers have the option to directly order products from the company. Boasting a product range of over 50 items, Tanpopo includes sushi, gyoza, salads, rice bowls, and Doroyaki dessert-filled pancakes among its offerings.
According to Alex Conchie, the sales manager of the company, their product range is currently available at Booth’s and various Costcutter stores across the UK. He mentioned that the company is actively pursuing additional expansion opportunities.
“Fresh Japanese food is a growing market and we’re selling into independents, as it’s a big opportunity for us,” he said. “We launched our full range into Bestway this year, and we have a selected range with Booker and Nisa. Demand has been really good in stores. For example, we’ve been in the Costcutter University of Salford store for several months and they’re ordering from us daily.
“We offer products for all types of budgets. Salad boxes are more affordable, but fresh sushi is a bit more premium due to the ingredients. We’ve got a real mix and the average margin we offer is 40%. We deliver between Bristol and York and we’re looking to eventually expand.”
Conchie mentioned that delivery times will differ based on the country. However, he emphasized that the company provides next-day delivery for locations in London, requiring a minimum spend of £45. The products, crafted fresh from their own facility, boast a shelf life ranging from two to six days.
The company’s best-selling items include chicken katsu curry, tempura rice bowls, nigiri, sushi, as well as salmon and poke salad boxes.
Leading supermarkets have recognized the potential in the market for fresh Japanese cuisine. In September, Waitrose introduced its own Japanese own-label line named ‘Menyu.’
Meanwhile, South Korean wholesaler HMart, who operates the Oseyo convenience chain across the south of England, has also outlined ambitions to become a national supplier. In recent financial accounts filed for the year ending 31 December 2022, the firm said, “The company has achieved an increase in wholesale customers as well as increased sales and hopes to increase the speed of expansion into the north of the UK.
“Great efforts and investments are being made to reach further in both retail and wholesale divisions. London has reached saturation of Asian food brands and there are stronger financial opportunities in Wales, Scotland and the north of England. The company will make greater efforts to expand at a faster pace in the coming year.”
