The Blog

The Modern Wholesale Playbook

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

Oct 31, 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 30, 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 29, 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 28, 2025·11 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 27, 2025·10 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 26, 2025·11 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.

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, 2025·9 min read

Palletization and Master Cartons for a Leaner Supply Chain

Learn how to determine the optimal units per master carton, build stable pallet structures, and reduce freight and shipping costs across your CPG supply chain.

Oct 11, 2025·9 min read

5 Biggest Mistakes CPG Brands Make Pitching Buyers

Avoid the five most common mistakes CPG brands make when pitching retail buyers. Covers market research, sell sheets, velocity data, follow-up, and more.

Oct 10, 2025·9 min read

The CPG Founder's Guide to Shopify Design and CRO

Learn Shopify website design and CRO strategies built for CPG brands. Covers mobile UX, A/B testing frameworks, and how to hire designers focused on results.

Oct 9, 2025·9 min read

Best Tech Tools for Field Execution and Merchandising

Discover the best field execution tools for CPG brands, from store audits and merchandising photos to inventory tracking and budget-friendly reporting solutions.

Oct 8, 2025·10 min read

What Retailers Look For in Product Presentation

Learn what retail buyers expect from your product presentation, including samples, sell sheets, and pitch standards across natural, conventional, and specialty channels.

Oct 7, 2025·8 min read

Funding and Financial Planning for Whole Foods Success

Learn how much funding you need for Whole Foods, how to forecast inventory and cash flow, and financing strategies to cover slotting fees and payment cycles.

Oct 6, 2025·11 min read

How to Win Retailer Innovation Programs at Sprouts and Beyond

A tactical guide to retailer innovation programs like Sprouts Forager and Costco Roadshows. Learn vendor requirements, demo tactics, and how to convert.

Oct 5, 2025·9 min read

Mastering Frozen Food Logistics for Buyer Presentations

How to transport, present, and sample frozen food products at buyer meetings. Covers cold chain logistics, essential equipment, food safety, and presentation strategies.

Oct 4, 2025·10 min read

Leveraging Your DTC Customers to Fuel Retail Velocity

Learn how to turn your DTC customer base into retail velocity. Strategies for driving loyal online buyers to store shelves, boosting sell-through, and proving demand to retailers.

Oct 3, 2025·9 min read

Understanding Agency Pricing Models for CPG Brands

Retainer, project-based, or performance pricing for your CPG marketing agency? Compare the costs, pros, cons, and negotiation tips to get the best deal.

Oct 2, 2025·9 min read