Guittard at The Epicurean Trader
The Epicurean Trader is a specialty independent running 6 Bay Area stores, small-format at about 2,935 sq ft each, indexing high on emerging & independent brands versus other Bay Area grocers.
Guittard Chocolate Company, established in 1868, is the oldest continuously family-owned chocolate maker in the U.S., known for its premium couverture chocolate crafted using traditional…
It’s already on the shelf here, with 3 SKUs across 2 categories. The growth is depth and breadth: 1 category to widen and 2 new doors to enter, replicated across all 6 stores.
Lead with Chocolate Semisweet Chocolate, Dairy Free Baking Chips in Chocolate Chips.
The Epicurean Trader stocks chocolate chips thinly, so a differentiated snack stands out instead of becoming the Nth option on a crowded shelf. It already earns space at 10 other Bay Area grocers.
The more differentiated opening is chocolate chips: The Epicurean Trader stocks only 2 there, so Guittard Chocolate Semisweet Chocolate, Dairy Free Baking Chips stands out rather than blending in.
The Epicurean Trader merchandises 4 of the 7 categories the brand sells.
non-gmo, organic, vegan against the store's assortment lean.
brand excitement 45/100.
enters a thin chocolate chips shelf as a point of difference.
The full runway · across 6 stores
Every category Guittard plays in across the Bay Area grocers we track, and where it stands at The Epicurean Trader. Depth is the distinct SKUs the store carries there versus the fleet median, shown next to the rival brands already on that shelf.
On shelf here, but only 2 of 15 SKUs. Room to widen the line.
Already stocked here in other categories, so this one is a natural extension.
What to bring to expand
Guittard’s SKUs The Epicurean Trader doesn’t carry yet, ordered by how many other Bay Area grocers already stock them.
Already on the shelf
How to get on the shelf · The Epicurean Trader
enriched 2026-09-05To get your product onto the shelves of The Epicurean Trader, start by contacting the store or owner directly. Specialty retailers like this typically prefer to build relationships with local and small-batch producers, so a personal approach can be effective. Consider dropping off samples of your product at the store, as this allows the owner to experience your offering firsthand. The Epicurean Trader focuses on high-quality, artisan goods, so ensure your product aligns with their emphasis on authenticity and craftsmanship. Highlight any unique aspects of your product, such as sourcing, production methods, or flavor profiles, to capture their interest. Building a rapport with the store can also lead to valuable feedback and potential opportunities for collaboration or promotion within their curated selection.
Presence and depth are measured from The Epicurean Trader’s current Bay Area storefront: its online catalog plus our shelf photos, a partial view. A widely-distributed brand shown as a new door may already be carried through channels we don’t index. The Epicurean Trader profile →
