Launching Products Into Key Retailers in Hawaii
HAWAII: Hawaii’s uniqueness is deeply rooted in its remote island geography and rich cultural heritage, which significantly influence its culinary and consumer landscape. The state’s farms benefit from its tropical climate, producing an array of exotic fruits like pineapples, papayas, and macadamia nuts, along with vibrant coffee plantations. Local retailers often feature Hawaiian-made products, from traditional crafts to island-inspired clothing and accessories. Hawaii’s food service operations showcase a fusion of Asian, Pacific Island, and American cuisines, with dishes like poke bowls, loco moco, and spam musubi. Schools and colleges incorporate these flavors into their menus, offering students a taste of the local culture. Hospitals cater to the state’s diverse population, emphasizing healthy and fresh ingredients. Additionally, Hawaii’s consumer market includes a strong focus on eco-friendly and sustainable products, reflecting the state’s commitment to environmental conservation and its unique position as an island paradise.
Sales and Distribution Opportunities in Hawaii Examples
Commercial Kitchens
The Contract Manufacturing Alliance created a search tool for Commercial Kitchens (also available for Hawaii sites). These include Hana Kitchens, Hilo Food Hub, Hilo Kitchen, Hamakua Incubator Kitchen, Chop Shop Commercial Kitchen, The Test Kitchen, Oahu Food Hub, Zumai Kitchens and Maui Food Innovation Center and many others.
www.CommercialKitchens.org.
ABC Stores
ABC Stores are the dominant retailer in Hawaii catering to tourists. The chains has stores spread out through key tourist areas (especially in Waikiki). They are known for having amongst the best pricing for foods, snacks, beverage and tourist items. ABC Stores can be found in Hawaii (67 stores), Las Vegas (6 stores) as well as stores in the Marianas Islands. ABC Stores also have other retail formats.
Sullivan Companies is a dominant owner of Hawaii based retail operations. Starting with Foodland (34 stores in Hawaii including different banners), is the number one chain with store counts. Their other formats include Food Pantry, Waikiki Market, Malama Markets, Sack n Save, R. Field Wine Co, EZ Discount, Whaler’s General Stores, Coco Cove, Lahaina Discount, Lamont’s Gift Shops and Accents.
Sullivan Companies is a dominant owner of Hawaii based retail operations. Starting with Foodland (34 stores in Hawaii including different banners), is the number one chain with store counts. Their other formats include Food Pantry, Waikiki Market, Malama Markets, Sack n Save, R. Field Wine Co, EZ Discount, Whaler’s General Stores, Coco Cove, Lahaina Discount, Lamont’s Gift Shops and Accents.
Hawaii has an abundance of Asian Supermarkets that cater to the local population as well as visiting tourists from countries such as Japan, Korea, The Philippines and China. These chains and single stores include Mitsuwa Supermarkets, Don Quijote Stores, Nijiya Markets, H-Mart, Seafood City, Palama Supermarkets. Marukai Wholesale Marts and Pacific Supermarkets.
Don Quijote/Times Supermarkets/Maukai
In Hawaii, one of the dominant owners of supermarkets is Don Quijote Co., Ltd (Main company based in Japan). Their stores include Don Quijote (3 stores on Oahu), Times Supermarkets (14 on Oahu, 2 on Maui), Shima’s Supermarket, Fujioka’s Wines, Big Save Supermarkets (5 on Kauai) and Maukai Wholesale Mart on Oahu.
Whole Foods has become a popular destination for both Hawaiian locals and visitors. They have opened up stores on Oahu (2 in Honolulu, 1 in Kailua) and on Maui (1 in Kahului). Other natural retailers based in Hawaii popular with everyone include Island Naturals (3 Big Island stores), Down to Earth Stores (6 stores on Oahu), Mana Foods,
Besides the larger natural retail formats such as Whole foods, there are smaller stores starting with chains such as GNC (11 stores), Vitamin Shoppes (5 stores) and Vitamin World (5 stores). Other independents include Vim and Vigor, Ruffage Natural Foods, Hawaii Discount Vitamins, Wellbeing and Organic World, Lifestream Natura Foods, Hardcore 808 Nutrition, Designer Body and others.
Hawaii is one of the best places to do business with the US Military. There are Military Exchanges ran by AAFES, NEX, MCX and Coast Guard Exchange; and commissaries ran by DeCA. There are also island based shoppettes and gas stations to explore. The Veteran Canteen has locations in Hawaii as well.
- Naval ship supply operations
- Ship chandlers are also seen in Hawaii
In Hawaii there are a-number of convenience store and gas station chains ideal for business for new brands. The dominant ones (outside of ABC Stores) include 7-11 Hawaii (66 stores), Aloha Gas (154 stores), Minit Stop (17 stores), Hele/Par Pacific (50 stores).
- Another c-store operator, Lawson stores operate in Waikiki
In Hawaii there are over 1,000 hotels, condo hotels and timeshare (Outrigger, High Gate and others) available for new business. We have our own hotel distribution model in Hawaii available for new brands (www.HotelPantry.com). * We are also involved with solutions for the in-room catering (www.InRoomCatering.com) and breakfast areas of a hotel (www.BreakfastAreas.com).
In Hawaii, there are a-number of bakeries, smoothie shops, juice shops, yogurt shops, boba tea shops, coffee shops, restaurants, colleges and universities, office buildings, QSR’a, hospitals, hotels, time shares, golf courses and other locations ideal for grab and go sections. Grab and go products tend to include snacks, beverages, single serve meals, produce and sundries.
Food halls are ideal for new food service concepts. The food hall model basically has new food businesses in general. In Hawaii there are food halls on Oahu (Kuhio Food Hall, Waikiki Food Hall, Market Eatery, The Lanai), and on Maui (Main Street Market, Maui Marketplace). * There are plenty of food service opportunities throughout Hawaii (restaurants, QSR’s, colleges, hospitals and others.
