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Six Innovative New RangeMe Suppliers Land Deals with Co-op’s Incubator Program

Six exciting new suppliers hit Co-op shelves this past November month following the UK convenience retailer’s search for a fresh wave of values-led, quality and innovative food and drink businesses to participate in its mentoring and support scheme, the Apiary. The producers, which submitted their products via RangeMe, now have their brands stocked in more than 100 Co-op food stores as they become the third wave of suppliers to benefit through Co-op’s Incubator program.

“Seeing these innovative new products hit Co-op shelves is always an exciting time for our Apiary program. We know shoppers in a convenience setting look for great quality and innovation – products that make life easier, can be consumed on-the-go, or offer an element of indulgence,” said Rebecca Oliver-Mooney, Co-op Head of Commercial for Drinks, Frozen, Community Buying & the Apiary. “We believe making it easier for early stage businesses to become retail ready and thrive is the right thing to do, not only to delight our members and customers in store, but helping more producers grow towards their goal of becoming challenger brands. Going live in store is a key milestone for these brands, it is the beginning of the next chapter for the suppliers …

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How GLP-1 Use is Creating Opportunities in the Vitamin & Supplements Category

We see the ads everywhere: Ozempic. WeGovy. Rybelsus. Mounjaro. They are on our televisions. Filling up our social media feeds. In Super Bowl spots. Relative newcomers like Ro and Hers – low cost versions from the two telemedicine giants – are plastered on billboards and ads in the trains I take regularly in NYC.

Even South Park has featured them. In a recent episode titled, “The End of Obesity,” Kyle and the other South Park kids turned a garage into a compounding pharmacy to create an affordable version of semaglutide to meet the huge demand from the locals.

You know that something has become part of the zeitgeist when South Park pokes fun at it.

At last year’s ECRM Vitamin, Weight Management & Sports Nutrition Session, there was not one mention of GLP-1 in all of the conversations I had with buyers and sellers. At this past September’s Session, however, it was the main topic of conversation. 

GLP-1’s impact on retail

The reason for all the buzz this past year is that this GLP-1 use is exploding, resulting in a noticeable impact on how consumers are shopping at retail. And while this impact hits all areas of the store, the …

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How Crafted Enables CPG Brands to Create User-Generated Content at Scale

We’ve all seen the power of user-generated content in action back in 2020, when Nathan Apodaca posted a TikTok of himself riding a longboard while sipping a bottle of Ocean Spray Cranberry juice and lip-synching to Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams.” The video went viral, bottles of Ocean Spray flew off the shelves, and the song, which was released in the 70s, hit the top of the iTunes charts. As of this post, the video has been viewed over 94 million times on TikTok.

Authentic content like this packs a very powerful punch when it comes to influencing viewers. I see it myself on LinkedIn – my scrappy fireside chat videos recorded on location at ECRM Sessions using my iPhone and a tripod (which have very minimal editing) get far more engagement than any professionally done promotional video I might post. 

However, creating content is my job. It’s what I do all day, every day. Most emerging CPG brands don’t have the resources to create such organic content at scale.

Brooklyn-based Crafted is looking to change that. The company provides a service that helps brands create their own user-generated content at scale to drive sales of CPG products at the store shelves …

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The moment has finally arrived. You’ve connected with a retail buyer on RangeMe or at an ECRM Session, and after subsequent follow up meetings you’ve landed a large purchase order. All of the hard work – the numerous phone calls, emails, sending product samples out to various members of the retail organization – has finally paid off. Then reality sets in, and you ask yourself:

“How am I going to fulfill this order?”

With CPG brands under immense pressure, cash flow is continuing to be a major blocker for scaling revenue growth, and sometimes it’s difficult to find how to fulfill these orders. Having to cash flow a production run for up to 60-90 days, then waiting another 60-90 days to be paid by a retailer is grueling, and most growing brands don’t have a plan in place to manage this situation.  Even established brands like Dean Foods filed for bankruptcy in 2019 with a large amount of accounts receivable outstanding, which if paid could have helped avoid this situation. 

Up until recently, options were limited, either by receiving a personal guaranteed back loan, or giving up equity just to operate with day to day pressures of working with larger …

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Choosing a manufacturer is one of the most crucial decisions you’ll make for your beauty and personal care business. Whether you’re looking to produce hair care, face, body, or other types of products, the right partnership can make or break your brand. Following are some essential factors to consider when you are looking for a manufacturing partner.

1. Quality Assurance 

Quality should be your top priority. Look for manufacturers with strong quality control processes and certifications, such as ISO or GMP. Request samples and check if their products meet your standards. Consistency in quality is vital for building customer trust and loyalty.

2. Experience and Expertise 

Consider manufacturers with experience in producing the type of products you need. An experienced manufacturer will be familiar with industry standards and regulations, reducing the risk of non-compliance issues. They can also provide valuable insights and suggestions based on their expertise. 

3. Customization Capabilities 

Your products should reflect your brand’s unique identity. Ensure the manufacturer can accommodate your customization needs, from formulations and ingredients to packaging and labeling. Flexibility in this area allows you to create distinctive products that stand out in the market. 

4. Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) 

MOQ is a critical factor, …

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Why Insurance is Crucial for your E-Commerce Business

In today’s digital age, more people than ever are turning to the internet to shop and conduct business. This shift has led to a significant increase in e-commerce businesses. However, just like any other business, online retailers face numerous risks and liabilities that necessitate having proper insurance coverage. Here, we’ll explore why insurance is vital for e-commerce businesses and what specific protections it offers. But first, let’s start with the basics.

What is E-commerce insurance?  

The tremendous growth of the e-commerce space has prompted insurance companies to create policies specifically designed to protect e-commerce merchants. These policies cater to the unique risks that e-commerce businesses face. For instance, a company that manufactures its own products should include product liability insurance in its coverage.

E-commerce insurance separates itself from general commercial insurance by focusing on the specific challenges of online businesses, such as international shipments, customer relations, and online liabilities. These policies protect against risks unique to e-commerce, providing peace of mind for online business owners.

Why your e-commerce business needs insurance

Here are several compelling reasons why every e-commerce business should carry insurance:

Marketplace requirements

Many online marketplaces, including Amazon, now require sellers to have an insurance policy if they …

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