Dominic is one of the biggest confectionary manufacturers in Eastern Europe, based in the Ukraine. In 2014, Dominic was looking to expand their chocolate exports to China and consulted the Scandic Group. The Scandic Group helped Dominic participate in SIAL 2014, China's biggest food fair to meet with potential distributors and partners.

The response from Chinese distributors and visitors alike was favorable, and the year after Dominic consulted the Scandic Group to participate in SIAL 2015, and to set up a sales team in China.

The Scandic Group recruited a sales representative for Dominic who is operating out of Scandic's Business Support Office in downtown Shanghai (the Scandic Launch Pad); sharing the office with our entire import department who has 6 years' experience of importing food to China for consultation and support. The long-term plan is for Scandic Group to help Dominic build an independent sales team operating out of Shanghai by 2016 either in the form of an own legal entity or a cooperation with a suitable strong partner.

The Scandic Group's China entry services for Dominic included

·         Project management

·         Product selection, verification of food standards and import assistance

·         Labeling translation and approva

·         Export and import documentation

·         CIQ & Customs clearance

·         Test import shipments

·         Warehousing and logistics

·         Recruitment of sales manager

·         Business Support Office with staff management

·         SIAL Exhibition preparation and execution

·         General advice

Partnering with the Scandic Group helped Dominic establish a strong presence in China without the risk and commitment involved in immediately setting up their own Joint Venture or Trading Company, and gave Dominic access to the food import know-how, channel relationships and the consulting experience of the Scandic Group.

Result

Dominic has already found potential distributors, managed by the on-site sales resource and managed to enter into some important chains such as Carrefour, JD.com and Tmall. After two minor air shipments with samples the first full container was sent in September 2015.