The Blog

The Modern Wholesale Playbook

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

May 24, 2025·10 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 23, 2025·11 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 22, 2025·10 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 21, 2025·8 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 20, 2025·7 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 19, 2025·11 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.

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, 2025·9 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, 2025·8 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, 2025·8 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

Maximizing Promotional ROI for CPG Brands

Learn how to calculate promotional ROI, compare promo types, and use POS data to measure real lift. A founder's guide to smarter trade spend.

May 4, 2025·7 min read

Expo West Exhibitor Countdown, Your 12-Month Checklist

Plan your Expo West exhibit with this month-by-month exhibitor countdown checklist covering booth selection, pre-show marketing, and post-show lead conversion.

May 3, 2025·8 min read

Target Test Programs, UNFI vs Direct to Warehouse

Compare Target's UNFI test program and direct-to-warehouse onboarding to find the best path for your CPG brand.

May 2, 2025·7 min read

How to Choose the Best E-Commerce Platform for CPG Brands

Compare Shopify, Squarespace, and BigCommerce for your CPG brand. Features, costs, and migration tips to build a DTC foundation that fuels retail growth.

May 1, 2025·7 min read