Co-Packing Strategies: Building Partnerships for Success


Written by 
Dee Set Staff
 on 
11 November, 2024

A group of people wearing orange vests walking

Description automatically generated

As industry leaders in the field marketing world, we are extremely grateful for our vast years of experience, providing us with a treasure trove of knowledge and expertise that sets us apart from the competition. Over the years,  we’ve gained a thorough understanding of our sector, including our co-packing strategies. Through continuous research and development, we are pleased to be in a position where we feel confident about the services we provide to our clients.

Here at Dee Set, our end-to-end e-commerce services offer brands maximum support, from pick and pack, rework, clip strips and warehousing to merchandising, FSDU's and collecting data to provide actionable insights at the shelf edge, our clients trust us with their most critical retail operations. They know that we consistently deliver results that drive growth and enhance brand visibility. 

Our dedicated team works closely with clients to tailor solutions that align with their unique needs, ensuring seamless execution from start to finish. We’re committed to helping brands thrive in an ever-evolving retail landscape, taking pride in our ability to innovate and adapt, enabling our clients to stay ahead of the competition and achieve their goals efficiently.

In our latest blog, we chat with Jess Westwood, our Co-Packing Account Manager, who provides us with exclusive insights into Dee Set’s comprehensive end-to-end services - from the design stage all the way up to retail merchandising and POS (Point of Sales) on the shop floor…

Hey Jess! Thanks for taking the time to chat with us today! Okay, first question…

Q: Can you walk us through how this end-to-end process works and how it benefits our clients?

A: At Dee Set, we’ve partnered with Polly POS, a leader in Point of Sale solutions, to ensure seamless execution of all our projects. This partnership allows us to collaborate closely, providing expertise at every stage of the process, which guarantees a smooth delivery for our clients.

Here’s an example of how the process works: When we receive an inquiry that requires full-service support—whether it's for printing, product reworking, or merchandising—we begin by scheduling a call with the client. This conversation helps us understand their specific needs and any challenges they might face, so we can tailor our support accordingly.

Next, we develop a comprehensive quote that covers all the required services in one package. Once the pricing is agreed, we proceed with structural and transit testing to ensure the unit’s durability and functionality.

The major benefit for our clients is convenience: They receive all the services they need under one roof, with a single point of contact and one consolidated invoice, streamlining the entire process.

Q: How do we ensure that the design phase aligns with the client’s brand vision and product needs?

A: We begin with a thorough consultation to discuss the client’s brief, objectives, sales targets, retail environment, and location. With Polly POS, we ensure that every display is designed to meet optimal retailer guidelines while maximising the product's visibility and appeal. 

Our team of experts are also available to help guide clients through the retailer approval process, offering advice on artwork, structural requirements, and distribution centre presentations. We are dedicated to ensuring your projects are seamless and successful from start to finish.

Q: What strategies do you employ to create long-term, successful partnerships with our clients?

A: Effective communication is at the heart of every successful project. Once a project is confirmed, we provide a detailed timeline to ensure clear visibility of each phase, helping all parties stay aligned. We understand that challenges may arise, so we proactively prepare solutions to address any potential issues that could disrupt progress.

Additionally, before production begins, we complete a ‘gold seal’ process. This provides clients with full transparency by allowing them to review and approve a finished prototype, ensuring the final product meets their expectations and our high standards.

A large group of boxes with food on them

Description automatically generated with medium confidence

Q: Can you share a recent case study where our co-packing service, from design to merchandising, delivered exceptional results? What were the key challenges, and how did we overcome them?

A: A great example of our co-packing services delivering outstanding results is our collaboration with Noisy Snacks, a vibrant, emerging snack brand. They had a last-minute opportunity to supply Tesco with 1,376 quarter-pallet free-standing display units (FSDUs) for a seasonal promotion, marking their largest retail project to date. The challenge was significant: Noisy Snacks had never produced an FSDU before and needed full guidance to meet a very tight deadline.


The main challenge was the time-sensitive nature of the project, as Noisy Snacks also had little prior experience with such large-scale visual merchandising displays. In addition to the timeline, ensuring flawless execution—from design and assembly to delivery—was crucial to meet Tesco’s high standards.

We overcame these challenges by leveraging our full suite of services, from structural design to printing, assembly, and logistics, to deliver an end-to-end solution. Our structural designer worked closely with Noisy Snacks to create and sign off the FSDU plans quickly. Once approved, we printed and assembled the units in-house to meet the rapid turnaround time. We also coordinated product filling and delivery, ensuring that all units reached the six Tesco distribution centres on schedule.


Thanks to our integrated approach, Noisy Snacks successfully launched their largest retail promotion to date. Our ability to manage every aspect of the project—from concept and design to assembly and delivery—enabled them to meet all deadlines and present a visually impactful in-store display that boosted brand visibility and sales. This case underscores our expertise in handling complex retail projects and delivering high-quality results, even under tight time constraints.

We also teamed up with Whole Earth, responsible for supporting them with the end-to-end assembly and fulfilment of FSDUs in Sainsbury's stores across the UK. The FSDUs themselves aimed to promote the brands' Drizzler collection - the latest addition to their range of squeezy peanut butter. 

Through our group capabilities, our warehouse team were responsible for assembling 274 shippers, which were distributed into Sainsbury's distribution centres. Our Tactical Solutions team were then responsible for the in-store merchandising.  In total, 1314 cases were merchandised – 265 onto fixtures and 1058 into displays to ensure stock availability.

Adding to this, we also teamed up with plant-based protein bar brand Trek to support them with the end-to-end assembly and fulfilment of new in-store FSDUs in Sainsbury's across the UK. Through our group capabilities, our warehouse fulfilment team were responsible for setting up 440 main store stands and 147 PFS stands, which were then distributed into Sainsbury's distribution centres.

Find out more on our dedicated Case Studies page.

A warehouse with many boxes

Description automatically generated

Q: How do we adapt our co-packing strategies to keep up with trends like sustainability, digital integration, and the customer experience?

A: When adapting our co-packing strategies to meet emerging trends, we focus on three key areas:

  • Sustainability: We are committed to eco-friendly and responsible practices by using plastic-free materials, sustainably sourced products, and fully recyclable stands. Additionally, we continually optimise designs with sustainability at the forefront to minimise waste and environmental impact.
  • Customer Experience: Delivering exceptional service is key. This means prioritising clear communication, offering flexible solutions, and taking full ownership of each project to ensure a smooth and satisfying customer journey.
  • Digital Integration: While we’re exploring the best approaches for digital integration, this is an area we can discuss further to tailor your strategy to our needs.

This way, we stay aligned with evolving market demands while maintaining efficiency, consumer satisfaction and the customer experience.

Q: How do you ensure that each stage within the end-to-end process is seamlessly integrated?

A: We prioritise clear communication with all stakeholders to guarantee a smooth project flow. We employ a dedicated quality control (QC) checker and provide regular training for all team members to maintain high standards. 

Additionally, we produce gold seal samples that are easily accessible for reference by all colleagues. To ensure product integrity, pallets are thoroughly inspected before leaving Dee Set, and our operational supervisors and team leaders are always available to offer support whenever needed.

Q: Looking ahead, what do you see as the future of co-packing? How can we continue to innovate and improve our services to better serve our clients?

A: The future of co-packing is poised for continuous growth year after year. One of our key initiatives for the coming year will focus on implementing security tagging to help retailers reduce shrinkage. By addressing shrinkage, we can ensure that your in-store inventory counts remain accurate, allowing for correct stock replenishment based on sales data.

We are constantly evaluating our processes to enhance efficiency, ensuring we deliver the highest quality service to our clients. Additionally, we're exploring opportunities to automate wherever possible, which will not only streamline operations but also drive cost savings for our customers.

Dee Set: The Future of Retail

As we look towards the future, our focus remains on continuous improvement—whether that’s through adopting new technologies, optimising our co-packing processes, or embracing sustainability. Our commitment to adaptability and excellence ensures that we will continue to help brands thrive in the competitive retail landscape. By fostering close partnerships and staying ahead of industry trends, we aim to empower our clients to achieve long-term success in no time.

Tackling the complexities of order end-to-end fulfilment doesn’t always have to be a stressful process when you have the right partner by your side. Here at Dee Set, we excel at providing reliable, tailored fulfilment solutions that ensure orders are delivered accurately and efficiently, every time. With 99.8% picking accuracy, comprehensive support, and real-time data analytics for actionable insights, we make fulfilment smooth and hassle-free.

Ready to elevate your fulfilment process? Our collaborative approach and proven track record across the UK make us the trusted choice for brands seeking innovative strategies. Get in touch with us today and let’s find the right solution for your business and customers!

Dee Set Logistics Ltd/Dee Set Confectionery Ltd, trading as Dee Set, registered in England, Scotland and Wales. Registered No: SC208421/04297287.Vat No: 896110414.