The PGA Welcomes Nestlé as New Principal Partner

The PGA is delighted to announce a new Principal Partnership with Nestlé Confectionery.

Nestlé boasts a rich heritage of creating some of the UK's favourite treats, including iconic brands like KitKat®, Aero® and Quality Street® that are enjoyed by the nation and sold in PGA Members’ pro shops and golf facilities.

Richard Barker, Executive Director - Business Development, said: “This partnership offers our Members access to Nestlé Confectionery products, along with valuable market insights through Nestlé’s expertise.

“We understand there is an opportunity for confectionery to be a significant and profitable aspect of golf club shops and driving ranges’ F&B offerings. Partnering with Nestlé allows us to provide enhanced support and services which will maximise both the experience for golfers and the bottom line at our Members’ facilities.”  

In fact, data from PGA Partner, Xpos which tracks sales from hundreds of golf facilities, shows that food and drink sales in pro shops have grown this year, accounting for 7.5% of total sales YTD in 2024, compared to 7.1% in 2023. This steady increase highlights the growing importance of offering a diverse range of food and beverage options in pro shops, with many facilities already seeing impressive margins of more than 50% in this category.

Nestlé’s commitment to sustainability, through initiatives such as the Nestlé Cocoa Plan and work to reduce their environmental footprint as part of Net Zero by 2050, means PGA Members can provide high-quality products which also have improving sustainability as a key focus. With KitKat 4 Finger being the top-selling single chocolate bar in the leisure channel*, it’s well-positioned to be a key product for pro shops, helping to enhance the overall pro shop experience.

Additionally, Nestlé is dedicated to supporting PGA Members in driving growth through its confectionery expertise. PGA Members will be able to take advantage of exclusive offers and a survey will be conducted in due course to gather insights on Member needs, further customising the partnership.

“We are thrilled to announce the commencement of our partnership with The PGA,” says Gail Stove, Nestlé Out of Home Lead.

“Nestlé aims to offer golfers the ideal companion for their break experience with KitKat®, the perfect bar for the course. As part of this collaboration, we will be engaging with PGA Members, to better understand what support would be most valuable to them.

“As a result, this partnership will not only enhance service levels for PGA Members through our various routes to market, but also equip them with merchandising best practices and tailored product recommendations to boost their pro shop offerings and profitability.

“We look forward to building a rewarding experience for both PGA Members and their customers.”

To find out more on how Nestlé Confectionery  can work with your golf facility, please contact Angeline Hay, National Account Manager,  on Angeline.Hay@uk.nestle.com or 07387 051415.

*Circana Sales Out, Total Leisure, Total Wholesale, 52 w/e 13^th October 2024