Soon-to-be retailer Justin Hodnett is launching a new ordering platform that aims to help smaller brands get into retail.
The “Amazon-like” platform, dubbed Unbrands, will allow companies to list as many products as they wish for retailers to buy from. The site will mostly be aimed at smaller independent and convenience retailers.
It is launching at the end of this month, initially with 30 brands across fresh, ambient and BWS goods.
“I’m building a marketplace for brands that are basically unknown,” Hodnett told The Grocer. “So, for those who are still homegrown, still working from the kitchen table or struggling to get into retailers.”
As it stands, the companies themselves will carry out the delivery. The software Hodnett has created allows the seller to be notified when an order has been placed. They can then schedule a time for delivery with the buyer.
He said, however, if demand grew, he would look to set up a fulfilment programme, with a warehouse, pickers and drivers, but not until later in the year.
Hodnett explained it would be these types of smaller brands that he would champion in his own stores one day.
He was set to kickstart his “retail empire” last year with a chain of forecourts. However, the retail partner pulled out “at the 11th hour” after six months of planning. Hodnett is now looking for a new convenience partner.
His plan is to open a chain of high street convenience stores across the north west that will operate under Hodnett’s Retail Group. He hopes to eventually open stores inside the M25 as well.
The end goal is to open 100 stores in 10 years.
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