The Blog

The Modern Wholesale Playbook

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

Jan 11, 2026·11 min read

How to Use AI to Analyze CPG Customer Reviews at Scale

Use AI sentiment and theme analysis to find product issues, marketing angles, and buyer pitch material in CPG customer reviews. Tools, methods, and tradeoffs.

Jan 10, 2026·10 min read

When to Hire an Independent Sales Rep vs a CPG Broker

Compare independent sales reps and CPG brokers across cost, coverage, and attention. A founder's decision tree for which to hire and when.

Jan 9, 2026·11 min read

DSD vs Distribution Center for Reorders and Replenishment

A practical comparison of DSD and DC distribution for CPG reorders, covering velocity, out-of-stock recovery, shelf protection, and reorder margin economics.

Jan 8, 2026·11 min read

How to Build a CPG Brand Identity That Earns Shelf Space

A founder's guide to building a CPG brand identity that resonates with shoppers, retail buyers, and the freelancers and agencies who help you scale.

Jan 7, 2026·10 min read

1WorldSync vs Syndigo for CPG Product Data Syndication

1WorldSync vs Syndigo for CPG product data syndication. Compare retailer coverage, features, pricing, and which platform wins based on your retailer mix.

Jan 6, 2026·10 min read

A First Time Founder Checklist for Vetting a CPG Broker

A scannable checklist for vetting your first CPG broker. Questions to ask, documents to request, references to verify, red flags, and day-one KPIs.

How to Get Into the New at KeHE Program as a Startup

Learn how the New at KeHE program works, what it costs, and how startup CPG brands without anchor accounts can get accepted and succeed once they're in.

Jan 5, 2026·10 min read

Affordable Shopify Attribution Tools Beyond Triple Whale

Compare affordable Triple Whale alternatives for Shopify CPG brands. Multi-touch attribution, post-purchase surveys, and MMM-lite tools that fit a startup budget.

Jan 4, 2026·10 min read

How KeHE Receiving and Lead Times Actually Work

Master KeHE receiving timelines, CONNECT appointment scheduling, ASN and BOL accuracy, and how to recover when product gets rejected or shorted.

Jan 3, 2026·10 min read

How CPG Distributor Fees Actually Add Up Beyond Slotting

Break down every distributor fee that erodes your wholesale margin. Slotting, EDI, free fills, MCBs, shrink, and how to negotiate or avoid them.

Jan 2, 2026·10 min read

Agency vs Freelancer for CPG Branding and Packaging Design

Compare hiring an agency vs a freelancer for CPG branding and packaging design. Real budgets, pitfalls, and a vetting framework for founders making the call.

Jan 1, 2026·11 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 31, 2025·11 min read

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

A founder's playbook for finding and vetting CPG brokers. Learn when to hire one, spot red flags, and structure the right partnership for long-term growth.

Dec 30, 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 29, 2025·11 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 28, 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 27, 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.

Dec 26, 2025·10 min read

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 practical guide to choosing label printers for your CPG brand. Compare digital and flexo printing by order volume, finish, lead time, and special services.

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

A practical playbook for CPG founders shipping samples to Mexico and Canada. Navigate customs, declare value, choose packaging, and avoid delays at the border.

Dec 13, 2025·12 min read