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The Bengaluru-based D2C brand is targeting 25,000 GT stores by the end of FY 2024-25 stores across South India
Wellbe Foods, a D2C brand of Nimida Group offering Indian consumers clean food choices, achieved a key milestone – it hit the 1000-store mark in FY 2023-24. After touching this important landmark, the Bengaluru-based brand is poised to explore the General Trade (GT) route for further expansion this year. By December the end of FY 24-25, the aim is to launch WellBe Foods’ snacks and snack bars in 25,000 GT stores across South India making it the first ever brand with “No Nasties” to establish such an expansive footprint across GT stores.
GT or General Trade stores continue to be the lifeblood of the Indian retail system. These mom-and-pop or Kirana stores number anywhere between 12 and 13 million across the country and contribute to around four-fifths of the total FMCG retail sales in India. Despite the surge in e-commerce over the last three these general retail stores remain a force to be reckoned with, accounting for nearly 90 per cent of India’s massive $1.3 trillion retail market.
WellBe Foods began its journey in 2020 with a modest presence in 13 stores of The Organic World in Bengaluru. Today, the brand’s range of healthy snacks and snack bars is available across 1000 stores in five cities – Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Vizag and Vijayawada. The strategic expansion was powered by modern trade (MT), stand-alone modern trade (SAMT), and regional chains. Some of its prominent retail partners include Lulu, Spar, Spencer’s, More, Ratnadeep, Ushodaya Super market Nuts & Spices, Latah’s Supermarket, Natures’ Basket, Amber, Mango Hypermarket, MK Retail, Pothy’s, and McRennet, to name a few.