In: Dropshipping|Last Updated:

The world’s most successful brands are able to consistently and reliably tap into their industry and niche. They know what their competitors are up to, as well as the state of the market and projections for where it’s going.

But having this knowledge doesn’t come easy—you have to become a master of gathering competitive intelligence. A strong competitive intelligence strategy is like a continuous stream of information, covering several aspects of the business you’re in, and examining it from many different angles.

So how can you join the ranks of competitive intelligence professionals? While there’s no single right way to jump in, we’re going to cover some of the key points and strategies you should have under your belt.

Start selling online now with Shopify

Start your free trial

What is competitive intelligence? 

Competitive intelligence is the systematic gathering and analysis of industry-specific data. This data can range from your competitors’ social media presence and brand positioning to their product catalogs, pricing tiers, and even customer service. Competitive intelligence provides a complete picture of your competitors’ strategies by consolidating and interpreting these individual data points. 

Businesses of all sizes and sectors utilize competitive intelligence programs to stay ahead of the …

Read More

In: Dropshipping|Last Updated:

Do you use YouTube Analytics?

If not, you’re missing out on a number of opportunities.

Opportunity to occupy a prominent position in YouTube search results. Opportunity to get your content featured in suggested videos. Opportunity to become a recognized YouTube creator.

And trust us, you don’t want to miss all those opportunities. Especially since people around the world watch one billion hours of video on YouTube every day—and these videos make up an incredible 37% of all mobile internet traffic.

That’s why we’ve put together this guide on 10 powerful metrics that you can track in YouTube Analytics.

Understanding YouTube analytics data can help you make impactful decisions that massively improve your YouTube video and channel performance.

Sound good? Let’s jump in.

Start selling online now with Shopify

Start your free trial

How do I access Youtube analytics?

First things first: To access your YouTube Analytics dashboard, click your profile picture at the top right of any YouTube page, and then click “YouTube Studio (beta).”

Then you’ll be taken to the new YouTube Studio dashboard. Next, click “Analytics” in the left sidebar, and you’re in. 

Now, at the top of the YouTube Analytics dashboard, there are four tabs. …

Read More

In: Retailing Tips|Last Updated:
Maazah: From Farmers’ Markets to Kroger Shelves

We’ve all heard the phrase, “You gotta be in it to win it,” which has long been associated with the New York Lottery and is often credited to Bob Brown, who hosted Lotto drawings for years. 

Well, the phrase is just as true for RangeMe’s retailer summits and sourcing campaigns. There are dozens held throughout the year across various categories and themes (such as sustainability and supplier diversity) and RangeMe Premium members have the opportunity to participate by submitting their products via a special link. 

This is just what startup brand Maazah did for Kroger’s 2021 Go Fresh & Local Supplier Accelerator. Following a several-stage selection process on RangeMe, virtual meetings on ECRM Connect, and an in-person pitch at Kroger HQ, Maazah became one of five brands selected to receive product placement, marketing assistance and education.

Like I said, you gotta be in it to win it. 

It all started in the kitchen

Maazah’s story begins in the kitchen. CEO & Co-Founder Yasameen Sajady and her sisters come from a big Afghan family that immigrated to the U.S., and they often worked together preparing meals. One day her mom added fresh ginger to her already delicious cilantro, vinegar, and lemon …

Read More

In: Retailing Tips|Last Updated:
6 Ways Rising Costs are Impacting Consumer Behavior

Consumers have struggled with rising inflation concerns for well over a year, and the uncertainty has profoundly impacted family spending decisions.

 As the economic downturn stretches into the second quarter of 2023, consumer confidence is still on shaky ground, even as inflation shows signs of slowing down. 

According to a study by Deloitte, consumer concern for rising prices did not fall below 70% at any point in 2022, a trend that has continued during the first few months of 2023.

As a valued partner of ECRM & RangeMe, Parent Tested Parent Approved, a leader in brand trust strategies and home to one of North America’s most influential consumer product awards, did a deep dive into consumer behavior and spending habits. Engaging select members of our parenting community of over 250,000 members, we surveyed over 2,000 parents about their purchasing trends in recent months. Following are some of our findings.

1. Consumers are struggling to budget for recurring living expenses.

As inflation climbed to its highest rate in decades, it’s no secret that discretionary spending is down, with the majority of consumers feeling the pinch on everyday necessities. With rising inflation sending prices skyrocketing right into 2023, more than 75% of …

Read More

In: Dropshipping|Last Updated:
Cash Flow Formula: Definition, Types, and Importance For Business (2023)

There are key formulas small-business owners should know for keeping track of cash inflows and outflows. These formulas help ensure you have enough cash not only to survive, but also to grow and expand. Lenders and investors also look at these metrics to assess the health of your business.

In this article, we’ll give you a rundown of the essential formulas every small-business owner should be familiar with to effectively manage their cash flow. But first, let’s look at the definition of cash flow formula.

Start selling online now with Shopify

Start your free trial

What is cash flow formula?

A cash flow formula is a key element in financial analysis utilized by accountants and business owners alike. It allows for calculating a business’s net income, with cash flow statements providing valuable insights into various financial transactions. 

Cash flow statements can range from those that focus solely on core business activities like manufacturing and sales to those that include ancillary income such as dividends from investments. Analysts and investors closely examine these diverse statements to assess a company’s overall financial standing. 

4 important cash flow categories

A cash flow analysis helps company owners see the amount of money entering and …

Read More

In: Dropshipping|Last Updated:
Top 9 Eco-Friendly Products For Profitable Sales In 2023

It’s hard to go even a week without hearing news about climate change and its effects on life as we know it. It’s also hard to go a week without hearing about sustainable, eco-friendly products that have been introduced to help combat climate change.

Not only do these products play their part in helping to preserve our future, they’re also in high demand from buyers who understand how important they are. For this reason, selling environmentally friendly products can be a win-win: helping the world while running a profitable business.

In this article, we’ll look at some of the top sustainable products you can start selling today, in niches such as tech, pets, fashion, and personal care.

Start selling online now with Shopify

Start your free trial

1. Sustainable apparel

“Fast fashion” is a buzzword that haunts the most environmentally responsible fashionistas. The fashion industry has been known to use unethical and unsustainable practices to quickly produce cheap, low-quality clothing.

But “slow fashion” is here to combat that. You can source your entire supply chain with more mindful materials and practices that go farther than just using organic cotton. For example, you can source products locally, or use vegan …

Read More