Supermarket giant Countdown recently signed up as the first big retailer in New Zealand to use RangeMe, a new online platform that makes it easier for suppliers to get their products ranged in supermarkets.

RangeMe allows suppliers of any size to upload new products on the platform, which then notifies Countdown buyers about products that match their buying criteria.

Chris Fisher, Countdown’s general manager of merchandise, said by using RangeMe Countdown now has better access to supplier products and customers will see new food and groceries on shelves sooner.

He said signing up to RangeMe was a no-brainer for the business and will particularly help Countdown find more products from smaller suppliers.

“At Countdown, we have a proud history of helping grow Kiwi businesses,” Fisher said. “We are looking at how we can support smaller local suppliers to get their new and innovative products in front of our customers and build their businesses.”

Fisher said at Countdown, 60 per cent of their suppliers, by number, have revenue of between $1,000 and $1,000,000, suggesting that suppliers don’t have to be big players to get stocked in the supermarket.

He said through RangeMe, their team of buyers will have better visibility and access to small and medium-sized suppliers and will be able to discover and identify new trends and products.

“RangeMe will also be great for our existing suppliers who can use the platform to tell us about new product innovation, shortening the time it will take to move from product development through to launch,” Fisher said.

He said the online platform not only helps them find and buy new local products for their customers, it also allows them to work directly with the suppliers.