Meet the Buyer x NS Stations

Our Meet the Buyer sessions are designed to connect passionate food entrepreneurs with potential customers, buyers, and/or category managers. Monthly, we invite buyers from all different categories of the food scene, like supermarkets, online retailers, hotel chains, wholesale, restaurant owners, etc. These sessions offer exclusive sales opportunities, feedback, and/or professional connections that you won’t get anywhere else. In this session, we welcome NS Stations!

About NS Stations
NS Stations manages 401 stations across the Netherlands on a daily basis, through which more than 2.5 million passengers pass every day.
Within the station network, NS Retail operates various in-house retail and catering brands, including Kiosk (92 shops), Julia’s (15 shops), StationsHuiskamer (30 shops) and 306 Grab & Go vending machines.
NS Retail’s mission is to offer travellers an optimal travel experience through an attractive, relevant and high-quality range of shops and catering outlets at stations.
Convenience, speed, quality and responding to travellers’ changing needs are central to this. The station should be a pleasant place to spend time, whether during a short stopover or whilst en route to the final destination.

Each concept has its own positioning:
– Kiosk stands for speed, convenience and quality, combined with personal service.
– StationsHuiskamer offers a warm, welcoming environment where atmosphere, personal contact and a sense of home take centre stage.
– Julia’s brings the authentic Italian experience to the station with high-quality coffee, fresh meals and delicious products.

Requirements NS Stations
When assessing new products, various criteria are important:
– The product must be appealing and tasty, in line with current consumer trends and suitable for consumption on the go.
– It must also fit within the identity of the relevant concept.
– Products that contribute to healthier choices – for example, those that fit within the ‘Schijf van Vijf’ or the ‘daily choice’ category, are preferred.
– At the same time, there is scope for innovation and surprise. NS Retail is open to distinctive concepts, innovative flavours and inspiring product launches that are relevant to the traveller.
– Sustainability is a key assessment criterion in this regard and plays an increasingly important role in the development of the product range.

Guided by these principles, we seek products that add value to the range and contribute to a positive travel experience for millions of passengers every day.

Who will you meet during this session?
Marjolijn Somers-Stucki – Category Manager foodservice (sandwiches, hot meals, fruit & salads)
Luite Snijder – Category Manager hot drinks
Robert-Jan Aantjes – Category Manager cold drinks
Larisse Blok – Category Manager bake-off & sweets
Edwart Verspaandonk – Team Lead category management

KR’s requirements:
– Arrive on time, assets prepared (tasting materials/presentation documents prepped) and ready to pitch
– As space is limited and time precious, please understand that KR and the guest buyer will select the most relevant food companies to see during each session as it relates to the buyer/companies focus.
– You can also leave your product(s) behind for the buyer, Kitchen Republic will collect your feedback.
– If you’re unable to attend, please let us know at least 12 hours in advance. If you do not cancel in time, you will not be included in the next selection round for an upcoming session.

Open to non-members: 2 spots available
Alongside our 10 Kitchen Republic members, we offer 2 open spots for non-members working on high-impact themes such as innovation and sustainability. Read the briefing above, and if you think it could be a match, apply via the button below. 
Selected non-members pay a participation fee — for this session: €500 — and receive guidance from our Community Manager to prepare for the pitch. The amount is different per session.
– Max. 2 sessions per year per company.
– You only pay when you are selected and get the chance to pitch. 
– You’ll receive all details via email after application, and feel free to reach out to community@kitchenrepublic.nl if you have any questions.

How does it work?
– We offer time slots of 10 minutes per company. This might sound short, but it’s definitely long enough to make a lasting impression.
– Applications for this MTB session close on September 7. If selected, we will contact you the week prior with time slot details.