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Wholesale suppliers are your business partners. A great one will propel you to success and a bad one can shut you down.

Few manufacturers will sell direct so to find wholesalers contact a few of the leading manufacturers in your industry to learn the leading wholesale dealers. Ask them for a recommendation and then follow-up with your own research. Merchandise cost and shipping speed are essential things to look for.

In order to buy items wholesale, a wholesale license is required. Depending on the state where the business is located, the license can be called a seller’s permit, a resale ID, wholesale ID, retail ID or a resellers license.

The wholesale industry is large and about 50 of the largest wholesale distribution facilities generate 25% of industry revenue. Wholesalers serve retailers and other service businesses through a variety of distribution channels and supply chains. At the top of the chain are manufacturers which include importers or exclusive distributors who also sell to wholesalers. Next are wholesalers or regional distributors who distribute the goods locally and brokers or jobbers who deliver goods to local small businesses.

A wholesale purchase is almost always done in bulk. Because of that the wholesaler pays …

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In: Retailing Tips|Last Updated:

Spritzal Cookie Company Co-Founder Taylor Elizabeth Walker leaves no stone unturned when it comes to growing her brand. Each morning at 8AM she’s on RangeMe checking out her profile insights to see what’s trending with buyers, and also seeing which retailers are conducting reviews in her category and what immediate retail opportunities are available.

She’s also a huge proponent of submitting products to relevant RangeMe and ECRM Summits, which are available to all Starter, Premium and Pro subscribers (click here to see the benefits of each RangeMe subscription tier). As a certified women-owned brand, these have included approximately a dozen supplier diversity summits, as well.

Watch the full video interview with Spritzal’s Taylor Walker

RangeMe successes

This proactive approach to leveraging RangeMe for connecting with buyers has paid off — she’s landed several deals, including two national retailers, and is in talks with several others.

In the video interview above with Joseph Tarnowski — who met Taylor via the CPG Vibes LinkedIn Live events (of which RangeMe is a sponsor), she shares the origin of the brand from her grandmother’s recipe card to the thriving business it is today, as well as some best practices that have helped her on …

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In: Dropshipping|Last Updated:

With global online sales predicted to reach $ 6.3 trillion in 2024 and to continue growing in the years that follow, the allure of the ecommerce business model for aspiring entrepreneurs is clear.

Ecommerce allows you to start a business with relatively low overhead costs. However, it comes with a set of benefits and drawbacks that can affect your decision to pursue this venture.

Let‘s look at the main advantages and disadvantages of ecommerce to help you decide whether it‘s the right option for you and your business.

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What is ecommerce?

Ecommerce refers to the sale and purchase of goods over the internet. It‘s a method of retailing where businesses and consumers interact digitally. Sellers list products or services online, and buyers can shop from anywhere, anytime. This system enables transactions to happen quickly and securely, with payments made online through various methods like credit cards, digital wallets, or online banking.

Advantages of ecommerce

Low startup cost

Starting an online store is usually cheaper and easier than setting up a brick-and-mortar business. Brick-and-mortar stores have many upfront costs, such as renting space, stocking up, buying equipment for sales, and possibly …

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In: Retailing Tips|Last Updated:
For Emerging CPG Brands, Collaboration Beats Competition Every Time

Emerging brands have to support each other. 

This is the way we climb mountains. None of us can do it on our own. It takes a collective interest. How can we together move the needle? The key word here is “together.” 

Our founders take on big CPG brands – bringing even bigger ideas and with much smaller bank accounts (we’re often just hoping to make payroll and pay the bills, right?). We are fighting for a seat at the table. This is the magic of the emerging brand. Our founders earn a seat at the table by their nature of being a change agent. By wearing the badge of an impact driver for people and the planet while driving for profit, founders become players.

Founders of emerging brands are in a position to set the stage for what consumers should expect. Consider the ripple effect of impact and innovation from emerging brands:

Brands launch innovative products.  Consumers discover innovation in ingredients, form factors, etc.  Consumers become educated about the benefits of said innovation and show up at the register. Big CPG sees the validation of concept and begins R&D/formulation, heading toward launch.

Don’t think for one minute that younger brands …

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In: Dropshipping|Last Updated:
9 Best AI Chatbots for Boosting Customer Engagement

Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) has revolutionized chatbots. These nifty tools now excel in handling customer inquiries, and by 2027, they’re poised to become the main customer service method for many companies. Beyond answering questions, GenAI chatbots create content, summarize report metrics, and offer tailored guidance throughout a customer’s online journey.

This article explores the capabilities of AI chatbots today and guides you in choosing the best one for your business.

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What is an AI chatbot?

An artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot is software that simulates human-like conversations using a process called natural language processing (NLP). 

When a user inputs a question or statement, the chatbot employs NLP to comprehend what the user means, processes this information, and then crafts a suitable reply.

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AI chatbots are continually learning from their conversations. As time goes on, they fine-tune their ability to understand different patterns and situations. This learning makes them versatile for various applications, like analyzing customer emotions or anticipating what a website visitor might be seeking.

How AI chatbots work?

AI chatbots rely on large language models (LLMs) to understand context …

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In: Dropshipping|Last Updated:
Social Media Engagement: 9 Ways to Amplify Your Audience Connection

Social media engagement can be a tough nut to crack, largely due to the ever-changing algorithms and constant shifts in platform preferences.

But in times where people are more likely to interact with you on Instagram and TikTok than elsewhere, knowing how to engage them in dialogue is crucial.

Let’s take a closer look at what social media engagement is and how you can improve it to drive greater awareness of your business.

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What is social media engagement?

Social media engagement measures how much people interact with your content across different social media platforms. It comprises a broad range of actions, including:

Direct messages (DMs) Likes and comments Mentions Click-throughs Saves Shares, reposts, and retweets

These social media engagement metrics indicate the level of interest and involvement your audience has with your content. Tracking them offers insights into what resonates with your followers so you can adjust your content strategy to encourage greater interaction.

Importance of social media engagement

It’s hard to put a value on social media engagement considering it doesn’t directly contribute to sales. But those with high engagement rates know it’s the stepping stone to greater brand …

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In: Dropshipping|Last Updated:

It’s hard to spend a day online without seeing or hearing the word “influencer.” Influencing has become so massive that many view it as a viable and desirable career path. According to research, 57% of surveyed Gen Zers said they’d like to become a social media influencer, compared to 41% of adults overall.

There are virtually unlimited opportunities to succeed across multiple social media platforms—but it requires the right balance of personality and charisma, along with marketing savvy and a thoughtful social media marketing strategy. Let’s take a look at what an influencer is, some traits and considerations, and how you get started on your own path.

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What is an influencer?

An influencer is someone who consistently creates content and shares it with their following on social media channels like Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and Twitter. Influencers have established authority, credibility, and loyalty among their audiences.

Influencers typically have a specific industry, niche, or category they tend to post about. For example, a fashion influencer posts about fashion trends, products, and conversations happening online. A comedy influencer creates fun, entertaining content with a consistent style of humor that keeps their …

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