The Blog

The Modern Wholesale Playbook

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

Dec 31, 2025·11 min read

How to Break 2.5X ROAS on Instacart Ads for Your CPG Brand

Break past 2.5X ROAS on Instacart with advanced account structure, retailer-specific bidding, long-tail keywords, and promotion stacking tactics for CPG brands.

Dec 30, 2025·11 min read

How to Find and Vet the Right CPG Broker for Your Brand

Learn how to find, evaluate, and contract with the right CPG broker. Vetting checklists, red flags, and how brokers fit against direct sales and automated outreach.

Dec 29, 2025·11 min read

Japan vs South Korea as Your First Asian CPG Market

Compare Japan and South Korea as a US CPG brand's first Asian market. Channel structure, distribution, regulation, margin, and how to pick the right entry.

Dec 28, 2025·10 min read

How to Decode and Dispute KeHE Deduction Codes

A practical guide to KeHE deduction codes, CONNECT portal workflow, dispute timelines, and documentation that gets KeHE deductions reversed.

Dec 27, 2025·10 min read

EDI Options for CPG Brands Beyond SPS Commerce

Compare EDI providers like SPS Commerce, TrueCommerce, Cleo, Logicbroker, Crstl, and B2BGateway. Find the right fit for your retailer mix and budget.

Dec 26, 2025·10 min read

How to Pick Regional Specialty Distributors for Your CPG Brand

Regional specialty distributors often beat UNFI and KeHE for emerging CPG brands. Learn how to map the landscape, vet partners, and avoid distribution conflicts.

How to Build an Affiliate Program for a DTC Wine Brand

Build a DTC wine affiliate program that works. Platforms, commission structures, influencer recruiting, and the compliance landmines unique to wine shipping.

Dec 25, 2025·10 min read

Better Ways to Test a CPG Rebrand Than SurveyMonkey

How to run consumer research for a CPG rebrand without wasting money. Focus groups, monadic surveys, gaze tracking, and the panel platforms worth using.

Dec 24, 2025·10 min read

How to Build a Distributor Relationship That Actually Works

Practical playbook for CPG founders managing UNFI, KeHE, and regional distributor relationships. Build trust, run QBRs, and resolve conflict effectively.

Dec 23, 2025·9 min read

How AI Helps CPG Brands Find Japanese Distribution Partners

Learn how AI tools help CPG brands research Japanese distributors, analyze the market, and personalize outreach for one of the most relationship-driven retail landscapes.

Dec 22, 2025·10 min read

How to Get Raw Sales Data from KeHE and UNFI

Learn how to pull raw sales data from KeHE CONNECT and UNFI Insights. Covers CSV exports, API thresholds, what's in the data, and how to organize it.

Dec 21, 2025·11 min read

How to Find a Reliable Label Printer for Your CPG Brand

A founder's guide to finding label printers for CPG brands. Compare digital, flexo, and online options by MOQ, lead time, finish, and special services like bundled postcards.

Dec 20, 2025·12 min read

How to Read a CPG Distributor Agreement Before You Sign

Learn how to read UNFI, KeHE, and regional distributor agreements clause by clause. Practical negotiation advice for CPG founders on terms, exclusivity, and fees.

Dec 19, 2025·11 min read

AI Generated Imagery vs Traditional Product Photography for CPG

Compare AI generated product photos and traditional CPG photography on cost, turnaround, authenticity, and retailer compliance. Practical guidance for founders.

Dec 18, 2025·11 min read

How to Pick Nielsen or SPINS Based on Your Retailer Mix

Use this practical framework to decide between Nielsen and SPINS based on your channel mix, scanned revenue, and the retailers where your brand actually lives.

Dec 17, 2025·12 min read

When Direct Store Delivery Makes Sense for Your CPG Brand

Learn when DSD beats warehouse distribution, what operational costs to expect, and how to vet regional DSD operators for your CPG brand.

Dec 16, 2025·11 min read

Why You Don't Need a Broker to Sell CPG in Japan

Learn when a broker is worth it for Japan CPG distribution and when direct outreach to importers, CVS chains, and Aeon works better for founders.

Dec 15, 2025·11 min read

How to Win Shelf Space at Nugget Market Stores

Practical playbook for CPG brands selling into Nugget Market. Learn how to merchandise for premium shoppers, run effective demos, and build buyer relationships that stick.

Dec 14, 2025·11 min read

How to Ship CPG Samples to Mexico, Canada, and Beyond

Practical international shipping playbook for CPG founders sending samples to Mexico, Canada, and global buyers. Customs, packaging, and cost strategy that actually works.

Dec 13, 2025·12 min read

How to Fight UNFI and KeHE Deductions and Chargebacks

Learn how to identify, dispute, and prevent UNFI and KeHE deductions and chargebacks. Tactical advice for CPG founders on recovering lost revenue from distributors.

Dec 12, 2025·10 min read

Alternative Marketplaces for CPG Brands Beyond Amazon

Explore Vitacost, Thrive Market, and Grove Collaborative as Amazon alternatives for CPG brands. Compare fees, audiences, and ROI to diversify your sales channels.

Dec 11, 2025·10 min read

Merchandising Strategies for Huckleberry's and Rosauers

Merchandising and placement strategies for Huckleberry's Natural Market and Rosauers. Covers demos, buyer relationships, and regional grocery best practices.

Dec 10, 2025·10 min read

KeHE vs UNFI for CPG Brands Entering National Distribution

A side-by-side comparison of KeHE and UNFI for CPG brands entering national distribution. Covers fees, programs, category strengths, and how to choose.

Dec 9, 2025·9 min read

Shelf Talkers That Drive Impulse Buys and Educate Shoppers

Learn how to create shelf talkers that drive impulse buys and educate retail shoppers. Covers design, messaging, placement, and measuring sales impact.

Dec 7, 2025·10 min read

Scaling CPG Production From First Run to Seasonal Strategy

Learn how to scale CPG production from your first run to seasonal strategies. Covers optimal quantities, co-packer partnerships, and lead time planning.

Dec 6, 2025·10 min read

The Complete UNFI New Item Setup Checklist for CPG Brands

Step-by-step UNFI new item setup checklist covering applications, fees, GDSN data sync, and common pitfalls. Get your CPG product into UNFI without costly delays.

Dec 5, 2025·12 min read

Instacart Ads for CPG Brands, a Practical Beginner's Guide

Learn how to set up and optimize Instacart Ads for your CPG brand. Covers campaign types, bidding strategy, listing optimization, and measuring real ROI.

Dec 4, 2025·10 min read

Why Your CPG Brand Does Not Need a Mega-Broker Yet

Large national CPG brokers like Acosta and Advantage promise scale, but emerging brands get buried. Learn when mega-brokers help and what to do instead.

Dec 3, 2025·11 min read

Is RangeMe Premium Worth It for Emerging CPG Brands

Evaluating RangeMe Premium's cost, features, and real ROI for CPG brands. Learn when the paid tier drives retail placements and when the free listing is enough.

Dec 2, 2025·10 min read

Japan's Unique Distribution Landscape for CPG Brands Explained

Understand Japan's CPG distribution system, from national and regional distributors to trading companies and specialty importers, and pick the right partner.

Dec 1, 2025·10 min read