How to launch a plant-based protein bar in the UK
The protein bar market is big business – in fact, according to Research and Markets, the UK nutritional bar market is projected to grow past $1.5 billion by 2025. And with more and more Brits reducing their dairy and meat consumption, plant-based protein is also on the rise.
So how exactly do you launch a plant-based protein bar in the UK? Here at NutreeLife, we’re revealing some of our industry secrets and expertise to help you get to grips with this growing market. We’re also on a mission to develop the very best in innovative plant-based nutrition – so we’re pretty sure this is a good place for you to start!
1. Conduct some market research
There’s plenty of resources online to find out everything you need to know about the current plant-based protein market. You need to be aware of your potential competitors, your audience, and the marketplace as a whole, so spending some quality time researching this is important.
More and more, we’re seeing smaller, independent companies making waves within the food industry – and it’s no different for the protein-bar market. Look at businesses you’d like to emulate, as well as companies you wouldn’t. Think about the changing perceptions towards vegan and plant-based diets too. Creating a product that everyone can enjoy can make a big difference to the future of your business.
Take a look at different brands and what their unique selling points are. What do they have that others don’t? And what do you want your brand to have that isn’t currently on the market?
2. Develop your indentity
You might already have an idea of what you want your product to be called – or perhaps you already have a company and you want to diversify into plant-based protein. Whatever stage you’re at, your product will need its own identity.
If you have an idea in mind, this might help determine the flavour and look of your protein bar – however, developing your own unique recipe could also provide you with some inspiration on what to call your bar.
3. Creating a unique recipe
Developing a tasty plant-based protein bar, unique to any other on the market, will give you an edge over your competitors. But creating that recipe takes time – which is why it’s sometimes best to take advantage of the experts’ knowledge and skills i.e. ours!
Our in-house development team specialises in creating unique and delectable recipes for plant-based protein bars. You might already have a concept that you can bring to us, which we can then turn into reality – or we can provide you with the inspiration you need to create something truly unique.
4. From seed to shelves
So now you’ve got a solid recipe down, with a variety of flavours and toppings, your bars are ready to be manufactured. Picking the right partner for this process is essential – you want a company that matches your business’ ethos and values, as well as someone local to the UK, with BRC and The Vegan Society certifications. You can take a look at our own accreditations here.
When making the decision on your manufacturer, make sure you discuss deadlines and product launch times, as this will affect your marketing strategy and your selling schedule.
You should also think about distribution too. Where do you want your product to sell? Does your audience prefer to buy online? Which shops match your values? Often, your manufacturing partner will have a range of contacts to put you in touch with, to discuss where to distribute your product.
5. Creating a robust marketing plan
Finalising your product is great – but if you don’t have a strategy to market said product, you might find it difficult to sell. This all goes back to market research. Think about where your audience might be active, such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Google etc. and where that audience might shop, whether that’s online or in-store.
You’ll need to develop a website and ensure it has the capabilities to sell online. Although you might not plan on doing this straight away, ensuring your website is future-proofed to have the ability to sell online will make it a lot easier when the time comes.
Think about whether your team has the capabilities in-house to implement your marketing strategy, or whether you need to outsource to an agency. Although this comes with additional costs, it does mean you have experts on hand to promote your product through the right channels and to the right people.
6. Product Launch
So your plant-based protein bar has a name; it has its own unique recipe and flavours; and you’ve got everything lined up to promote the bar successfully. Looks like you’re ready to launch your product!
If you’re thinking about launching a plant-based protein bar or product, it’s worthwhile reaching out to the experts. At NutreeLife, we have a plethora of experience in taking recipe ideas from seed to shelves. Contact us today for more information and one of our friendly team will be more than happy to help!
