The Blog

The Modern Wholesale Playbook

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

Nov 10, 2025·10 min read

Common Pitfalls When Entering the Japanese CPG Market

Avoid the biggest mistakes CPG brands make when entering the Japanese CPG market. Covers cost traps, packaging adaptation, regulatory and distribution.

Nov 9, 2025·10 min read

How to Build a Local Merchandising Team With Freelancers

Learn how to build a local merchandising team using freelancers. Covers when to hire, where to find reps, scope of work, management tips, and cost comparisons.

Nov 8, 2025·10 min read

Costco Bulk Packaging and Palletization for CPG Brands

A guide to Costco's bulk packaging and palletization requirements for CPG brands. Covers master cartons, pallet specs, vendor compliance, and high-volume fulfillment.

Nov 7, 2025·10 min read

Buyer Follow-Up Strategies That Turn Interest Into Orders

Proven follow-up strategies for CPG brands after buyer samples and meetings. Timing, personalization, persistence, and when to walk away gracefully.

Nov 6, 2025·10 min read

7 Costly Mistakes When Hiring a CPG Marketing Agency

Avoid the 7 most expensive mistakes CPG brands make when hiring a marketing agency. Red flags, scope traps, and how to properly vet agencies before signing.

Nov 5, 2025·11 min read

How to Run In-Store Audits That Protect Your Brand

Learn how to run in-store audits for CPG brand compliance. Covers pricing, placement, promotions, out-of-stocks, and the tools to turn findings into action.

Your CPG Trade Show Calendar for Seasonal Planning

Plan your CPG trade show calendar around Q1 resets, summer shows, and holiday cycles. A seasonal guide to getting into the right stores at the right time.

Nov 4, 2025·10 min read

Cultural Nuances for CPG Success in the Japanese Market

Learn the cultural nuances that determine CPG success in the Japanese market. Covers nemawashi, meeting etiquette, trust-building, and distribution partnerships.

Nov 3, 2025·10 min read

Couponing Strategies That Actually Work for New CPG Brands

Learn which couponing strategies actually drive trial and velocity for new CPG brands. Covers digital vs. physical coupons, Venmo payback, and ROI measurement.

Nov 2, 2025·9 min read

Whole Foods Operations and Compliance for CPG Brands

Master Whole Foods compliance and operations requirements. Learn labeling, packaging, quality standards, and supply chain systems CPG brands need to succeed.

Nov 1, 2025·10 min read

How CPG Brands Launch Into Buc-ee's and Win Big

Learn how CPG brands get products into Buc-ee's. Understand the buyer process, unique retail model, and strategies for success in this high-volume environment.

Oct 31, 2025·10 min read

How CPG Brands Get Products Into Target Stores

Learn how CPG brands get into Target stores. Covers the vendor onboarding process, Roundel, buyer pitch tips, logistics, and operational requirements.

Oct 30, 2025·10 min read

The Q1 Reset Checklist Every CPG Brand Needs

A complete Q1 reset checklist for CPG brands covering key dates, shelf prep, buyer negotiations, and post-reset auditing to maximize placement.

Oct 29, 2025·10 min read

Email Formats for Top Retailers and How to Reach Buyers

Common email formats for top retail chains plus practical tips for verifying buyer addresses, writing effective first outreach, and getting responses.

Oct 28, 2025·11 min read

Finding Your First CPG Distributor in Japan Step by Step

Learn how to find and secure a CPG distributor in Japan. Covers ideal distributor profiles, research tactics, Japanese business culture, and negotiation.

Oct 27, 2025·10 min read

How to Win at Erewhon and Other Specialty Natural Retailers

Strategies for getting into Erewhon and specialty natural retailers. Learn demo tactics, merchandising, buyer relationships, and what drives velocity.

Oct 26, 2025·11 min read

How to Negotiate PFG and Vistar Contracts Without Getting Burned

Learn which PFG and Vistar contract clauses to negotiate, how to prevent costly distributor chargebacks, and what to push back on before signing.

Oct 25, 2025·10 min read

When to Invest in Nielsen or SPINS Data for Your CPG Brand

Should your CPG brand invest in Nielsen or SPINS data? Covers pricing, ROI, timing, and alternatives for emerging brands at every stage of retail growth.

Oct 24, 2025·11 min read

How to Get Your CPG Product Into Whole Foods Market

Learn how to get your CPG brand into Whole Foods Market. Covers the vendor application, buyer pitches, costs, and shelf strategies for emerging brands.

Oct 23, 2025·11 min read

Walmart Merchandising Strategies for Shelf and Display Wins

Learn how CPG brands win better shelf placement and display opportunities at Walmart. Covers modular sets, PDQs, endcaps, and merchandising team tactics.

Oct 22, 2025·10 min read

Shopper Marketing Playbooks That Win at Whole Foods

Build a shopper marketing playbook for Whole Foods and premium natural retailers. Covers demos, digital coupons, cross-merchandising, and measuring ROI.

Oct 21, 2025·10 min read

Direct Investor Outreach for CPG Founders Without a Broker

A founder's guide to direct investor outreach for CPG brands, including when to skip the broker, build your own pipeline, and manage investor relations.

Oct 20, 2025·11 min read

How to Run a Costco Roadshow That Actually Pays Off

Learn the Costco Roadshow application process, product assortment, staffing, demo strategy, and how to measure success at high-volume in-store events.

Oct 19, 2025·12 min read

Shipping Perishables Without the Meltdowns or Margins Lost

A practical guide for CPG brands shipping perishables like chocolate, cookies, and frozen goods. Covers packaging, cold chain, carriers, and cost control.

Oct 18, 2025·11 min read

How to Use Influencers on a Budget for Retail Support

Learn how emerging CPG brands can leverage micro-influencers and UGC creators on a tight budget to drive retail sell-through and support store-level velocity.

Oct 17, 2025·10 min read

Paid Social Strategies for CPG Brands Beyond Meta Ads

Explore paid social strategies for CPG brands beyond Meta. Learn how Pinterest, YouTube, and LinkedIn ads drive awareness, trial, and retail velocity.

Oct 16, 2025·11 min read

Finding the Right Merchandising Teams for Giant Company

Learn how to find specialized merchandising teams for The Giant Company in the Mid-Atlantic. Covers scope of work, pricing models, and execution tips.

Oct 15, 2025·10 min read

Promotions That Drive Trial Velocity in Conventional Grocery

Learn how to run promotions that drive real trial and velocity in conventional grocery. Covers TPRs, demos, digital coupons, and ROI calculation.

Oct 14, 2025·11 min read

Q1 Reset Funding for Smarter Annual Retail Planning

Learn how to secure Q1 reset funding for your CPG brand. Covers inventory financing, short-term loans, trade spend forecasting, and timeline planning.

Oct 13, 2025·10 min read

Optimizing Promotions for New Brands After Retail Launch

Learn when new CPG brands should run their first promotions after retail launch, which promo types drive real velocity, and how to stretch a limited budget.

Oct 12, 2025·8 min read