In: Retailing Tips|Last Updated:

As we prepare to enter a new year, what can we expect? To answer this question, the Food Biz Wiz team joined forces with the folks at ECRM & RangeMe to examine what’s been working – and what’s not working – over the past twelve months, and to share our views on how it will all play out in 2024. 

We have good news and bad news for suppliers for the upcoming year so let’s outline it all. Below you’ll find a summary of our 2024 predictions, based on the conversation I had with Joe Tarnowski for my last Food Biz Wiz podcast of 2023 (no 226). To listen to the full conversation, you can find my podcast episode here! You’ll find Joe’s take on these predictions in the shaded parts of each segment.

Let’s start with the (potentially) bad news first…

Continued supply chain and labor challenges

We predict that we’ll continue to see increased challenges with labor shortages, supply chain hiccups in certain categories, and increased consolidation and mergers between retailers. Suppliers may feel a negative impact here: wholesale buyers will continue to have less patience for brands who aren’t truly ready for retail, as they don’t have …

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In: Dropshipping|Last Updated:
How the Instagram Algorithm Works: A Breakdown (2024)

Trying to get cozy with Instagram’s algorithm feels a bit like trying to solve a Rubik’s cube—it’s constantly changing, and just when you think you’ve got it solved, another obstacle appears.

While we may never crack its full code, there are some tricks and tips you can use to give your business’s Instagram strategy a bit of an edge.

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What is the Instagram algorithm?

The Instagram algorithm is a set of rules for when and how to display content to each user. It takes into account several factors, including: 

User history: The posts and profiles the user has interacted with. Location: The country or region where they’re using the app. Profile details: Things like their age, gender, and interests they’ve listed. Device: The type of phone or tablet they’re using. Current trends: What’s popular on Instagram at the moment.

The thing about the Instagram algorithm is that it’s always changing. This means how it decides what to show users can vary from day to day. To stay ahead, you need to understand and adapt to these changes. For example, if the algorithm starts favoring videos more, you might want to …

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In: Retailing Tips|Last Updated:

It’s time to shelve your worries about claims and hit “add to cart” on product liability insurance! (Too much? We’ll dial it back). There’s an easy way to safeguard your business and it starts with protecting the products you sell. But what exactly does product liability insurance do for retailers? That’s what we’re here to talk to you about today.

“Product What Insurance?!”

Before we dive into the nitty gritty insurance details, there’s usually one question most people have: Why are there so many different types of product liability insurance?

In short, we can blame SEO for the laundry list of names. There’s also the fact that “product liability insurance” is a mouthful, so some people call it product insurance or liability insurance. All of this, combined with insurance companies still using technical terms, has created a lot of nicknames for this coverage.

You might see these names, but know they all generally refer the same type of insurance:

Retail product insurance Product liability insurance for retailers Retailer product liability Insurance for retail products

Things might start to differ when you see the phrase “retail insurance,” since that type of coverage tends to go beyond what we are talking about today. …

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In: Retailing Tips|Last Updated:
RangeMe Submission Leads to Birdy Boutique’s Products Flying Off the Shelves at Meijer

When a new product quickly goes through several POs at a major retailer, you know it’s a hit. And sometimes the most successful product innovations are often simple concepts that just haven’t been thought of before, like the Learning Blankets made by women- and veteran-owned brand Birdy Boutique!

The products are super-comfy children’s blankets that help kids learn about a variety of topics, from geography to new languages, animals and nature. They can also be customized for retailers. Meijer, for example, ordered blankets with a design from a local artist to celebrate Black History month — the brand’s fourth PO with the retailer, which began as a submission via RangeMe.

In addition, Birdy Boutique secured a partnership with Walgreens through ECRM’s Diverse and Minority Owned General Merchandise Session.

In the video below, I speak with Co-Founder Joanna Jozwik Serra and Business Development Manager Anna Rusinowski about the origin of the company and its products, and how they have leveraged ECRM and RangeMe to get on the shelf at major retailers.

Lots of great advice for brands looking to succeed at retail!

Editor’s note: Brands with general merchandise products can meet with retail buyers face-to-face at ECRM General Merchandise Sessions.

The …

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In: Dropshipping|Last Updated:

Looking to enter the online fitness industry? You’re eyeing a market that’s experiencing explosive growth. It’s a space where both innovative startups and seasoned brands are thriving, driven by a surging demand for fitness gear, apparel, supplements, and health foods.

However, this boom has led to a crowded field. The fitness ecommerce landscape is packed with competitors, all vying for consumer attention. In such a vibrant yet competitive market, making your presence felt is crucial. 

And what better way to make an impact than with an intuitive and professional website? A well-crafted website acts as a magnet for customers, drawing them in with its ease of use, appealing design, and compelling content.

Below, we highlight a few fitness ecommerce brands that have really nailed their website strategy. Take inspiration from them, as they showcase the best practices in website design, user engagement, and brand presentation.

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8 fitness ecommerce website examples 

1. Altitude Sports: ecommerce search with a visual twist  

Altitude Sports began as a small store in Montreal in the 1980s and now stands as a multimillion-dollar online retail leader in sports and fitness brands. This transformation from a brick-and-mortar …

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In: Dropshipping|Last Updated:
How to Start a Business in 2024: A 10-Step Guide

Starting a business involves planning, doing market research, and acquiring knowledge of the legal aspects of opening a firm. You’ll answer questions like, “How do I find a product to sell?” “What’s the right business model?” “What are the best channels for marketing?”

Let’s go over the key steps on how to start a business, including creating a business plan, registering your company, promoting your offering, and more.

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1. Choose a business idea

It all begins with an idea. Many small business ideas are available for you to pursue, including ventures you can run from home. 

26 Best Small Business Ideas to Start This Year List of The Most Popular Online Business Ideas 17 Unique Business Ideas for First-Time Entrepreneurs 10 Profitable Home Business Ideas You Can Start Today

2. Research your product and audience

Upfront research is necessary to determine whether there’s an audience for your business or product idea.

How to Define Your Target Market and Target Audience The Marketing Research Process in 6 Steps How to Do a Competitive Analysis + Example Template How to Create a Product Validation Spreadsheet

3. Write a business plan

A business …

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