The Blog

The Modern Wholesale Playbook

How today's CPG brands find best-fit retailers, reach buyers, and scale without brokers.

Jun 3, 2025·9 min read

PR and Influencers for a Successful CPG Retail Launch

Learn how to integrate PR and influencer marketing for a CPG retail launch. Includes how to find PR firms, vet influencers, and measure sales impact.

Jun 2, 2025·10 min read

Finding a Trusted Legal Partner for Your CPG Brand

How to find legal partners for CPG brands, including trademark attorneys, food lawyers, and startup-friendly firms that understand the industry.

Jun 1, 2025·10 min read

Whole Foods Pricing and Promotions Guide for CPG Brands

A practical guide to Whole Foods Market pricing, slotting fees, TPRs, display costs, and co-op programs. Learn what to expect and how to protect your margins.

May 31, 2025·9 min read

Sampling Success at Food Festivals and Pop-Ups That Drive Real Results

Sampling at food festivals and pop-ups is expensive. Here's how CPG brands maximize impact, capture feedback, and actually measure whether it worked.

May 30, 2025·10 min read

Retailer Fees Decoded, Slotting, Free Fills, and Hidden Costs

Slotting fees, free fills, marketing fees, and distributor deductions explained. Know what you're agreeing to before you sign with KeHE, UNFI, or any retailer.

May 29, 2025·10 min read

Amazon Growth Strategies for Emerging CPG Brands

Practical Amazon growth strategies for emerging CPG brands, covering listing optimization, review acquisition, affordable agencies, and ad spend that actually pays off.

Walmart Deduction Codes Explained for CPG Brands

Learn how Walmart deduction codes work, what 761 and 762 mean, and the exact steps to dispute chargebacks and protect your margins as a CPG supplier.

May 28, 2025·9 min read

Driving Velocity at Walmart With Strategies That Move Product

Learn how CPG brands drive velocity at Walmart using promotional programs, in-store execution, Luminate data, and shelf placement strategies that actually work.

May 27, 2025·9 min read

CPG Legal Agreements Every Founder Needs to Get Right

NDAs, private label contracts, supplier agreements, and 1099 sales rep templates: what CPG founders actually need to know before signing anything.

May 26, 2025·9 min read

Optimizing Case Packs and Shipping for Wholesale Margins

How CPG founders should determine optimal case pack size, decide on free vs. paid shippers, and factor shipping costs into wholesale pricing strategy.

May 25, 2025·12 min read

How to Select the Right Trade Shows for Your CPG Brand

Learn how CPG founders should evaluate trade shows by buyer profile, show type, and business stage to maximize ROI on every event dollar spent.

May 24, 2025·10 min read

Direct-to-Retailer Outreach Without a Broker

Learn how CPG founders can master direct-to-retailer outreach without a broker. Covers identifying stores, fixing failed outreach, and building real buyer relationships.

May 23, 2025·11 min read

Email and SMS Marketing Automation for CPG Brands

Learn how to choose the right email and SMS platform for CPG, build essential automated flows, and grow your list without buying subscribers.

May 22, 2025·10 min read

How CPG Brands Navigate Price Increases Without Losing Shelf Space

Learn when and how to implement CPG price increases, communicate them to buyers and consumers, and protect margins without damaging retail relationships.

May 21, 2025·8 min read

Broker vs Direct Retail Expansion for CPG Brands

Should CPG brands hire a broker or go direct for retail expansion? Compare costs, timelines, and fit by channel to make the right call for your stage.

May 20, 2025·7 min read

How to Build a Core CPG Team From Entry Level to Executive

A practical guide to building a CPG team. Covers entry-level hiring, executive roles, freelancers, geographic coverage expectations, and where to post jobs.

May 19, 2025·11 min read

Trade Promotions for CPG Brands That Actually Move Product

Learn how CPG brands run profitable trade promotions with coupons, displays, and TPRs. Includes clearing house guidance, invoice deduction norms, and retailer requirements.

May 18, 2025·12 min read

5 Ways to Measure Trade Show ROI Beyond Direct Sales

Stop measuring trade show ROI by sales alone. These 5 frameworks help CPG brands quantify brand awareness, lead quality, buyer relationships, and long-term impact.

May 17, 2025·9 min read

What Goes Into a Winning Retail Pitch Deck

Build a retail pitch deck that gets buyers to say yes. Covers structure, key slides, data to include, and how to present in person vs. virtually.

May 16, 2025·8 min read

TikTok Shop for CPG Brands Setup and Growth Guide

Step-by-step guide to setting up TikTok Shop for CPG brands. Learn verification, affiliate strategy, live shopping, and how to scale sales fast.

May 15, 2025·10 min read

Retailer Margins by Channel Every CPG Founder Needs

Understand typical retailer margin expectations across grocery, mass, club, and foodservice channels. Build pricing that wins shelf space profitably.

May 14, 2025·10 min read

The CPG Sell Sheet That Gets You Into Stores

Build a CPG sell sheet that retail buyers actually read. Covers must-have elements, design tips, and how sell sheets differ from line sheets and pricing sheets.

May 13, 2025·9 min read

Hiring Your First CPG Sales Team the Right Way

Learn where to find CPG sales reps beyond LinkedIn, what to pay them, and whether to hire W2 employees or 1099 contractors for your first sales team.

May 12, 2025·9 min read

CPG Pricing Strategy From Cost-Plus to Value-Based

Learn the three core CPG pricing strategies and when to use each. Practical guidance on cost-plus, competitor, and value-based pricing for food and beverage brands.

May 11, 2025·10 min read

Trade Show Booth Design That Wins on a Startup Budget

Build a trade show booth that turns heads and books meetings without spending $50K. Practical design tips, material hacks, and vendor picks for CPG startups.

May 10, 2025·10 min read

Kroger 1WorldSync Product Data Onboarding for CPG Brands

Step-by-step guide to Kroger's 1WorldSync product data requirements. Registration, GTIN setup, common errors, and tips to get your CPG brand onboarded fast.

May 9, 2025·9 min read

Fix Your CPG Meta Ads and Turn UGC Into Real Sales

Fix Meta ad conversion tracking for CPG brands, maximize paid social ROI with UGC campaigns, and navigate commerce policies for supplements and food brands.

May 8, 2025·8 min read

How CPG Brands Fight Trade Spend Deductions and Win

Learn how to identify, dispute, and prevent common trade spend deductions. Tactical advice on claim processes, internal controls, and management tools.

May 7, 2025·9 min read

How to Win a Spot in the Sprouts Innovation Center

A tactical guide to the Sprouts Innovation Center and Forager Program. Learn the application process, IC inventory tips, and how to earn permanent placement.

May 6, 2025·9 min read

How CPG Founders Should Handle Trademark Registration

Learn trademark search costs, USPTO application steps, Office Action responses, and how to find a startup-friendly attorney. A practical guide for CPG founders.

May 5, 2025·8 min read