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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: Retailing Tips|Last Updated:
Want to Elevate Your Customer Relationships? Then it’s Time to Go Deep.

I once received a phone call from an old friend who emphatically presented the merits of collaborating with him on a project his company was spearheading within our industry. For 20 minutes, he presented a binder full of reasons why it would (in his opinion) be good for me to invest my time, energy, and creativity in his initiative. 

After laying out the pitch I asked him a simple question: “Would you like to better understand my thoughts?” My old friend paused and replied, “Ummmm, sure, that would be a good idea Dan. Tell me what you are trying to accomplish these days?” We both started laughing and I proceeded to share how my coaching business had evolved since we last spoke.

 Most sales leaders do not invest enough time understanding the stated and unstated agenda of their customers, partners, and teammates. They rarely uncover hidden problems or stress points that need to be solved. My friend forgot the golden rule of sales: it’s not about you, it’s about us. A customer meeting emphasizes diagnosing the situation long before prescribing a solution.

The secret

Elevating a relationship isn’t something you do, it’s the result of everything you’ve done. Most people …

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In: Retailing Tips|Last Updated:
RangeMe Sourcing Campaign is Sweet (and Salty) Success for The Panza

One of the benefits of being a RangeMe Starter or Premium subscriber is that you can participate in retailer sourcing campaigns, increasing your chances of getting your products discovered. This is just what Gianna Malatrasi, Co-Founder & CEO of The Panza did. The brand was one of 12 selected by Madeleine Yastrow, Owner of Maddie’s Market, who ran a sourcing campaign this past summer (see full video interview with Malatrasi below!)

Maddie was looking to refresh her pantry selection with unique and innovative products across categories that her customers couldn’t find in nearby chain stores.

The Panza gourmet snacks are thin, crispy sweet cracker cookie sticks, each is artisan-crafted with impeccably sourced high-quality natural and organic ingredients that are non-GMO and vegetarian friendly – ideal to pair with coffee, tea, wine, cheeses, dips, fresh fruits, ice cream or added to charcuterie boards.

“We really enjoyed the sourcing campaign process, it was easy and straightforward,” says Malatrasi, who has been already seeing its products fly off the shelves at Maddie’s. “Everything is streamlined and clear. RangeMe allows smaller companies to showcase their products to so many prospective buyers, that it can be a gamechanger for any company that has a great …

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In: Retailing Tips|Last Updated:

Welcome back to the enthralling world of CPG Marketing Magic! In the first three columns, we delved into the captivating realms of CPG branding and packaging. In this month’s column, we’re ready to equip you with strategies that will not only catch the eye of retail buyers but also powerfully propel your inventory off the shelves.

So let’s uncover what it takes to move inventory in the dynamic CPG landscape.

The challenges of moving inventory: unveiling the obstacles

So far on our journey, we’ve guided you through the nuances of building a strong brand identity and crafting irresistible packaging. Now, it’s time to tackle the next challenge: moving inventory.

Imagine your product taking the spotlight on every shelf, aisle, and screen – that’s the goal we’re chasing. But reaching that goal comes with a few challenges along the way.

To stay prepared, here are three common bumps in the road you should be aware of when it comes to CPG marketing.

Fierce market competition

In the bustling world of consumer packaged goods, competition is always on the rise. Everywhere you turn, there’s another brand vying for the attention of both buyers and consumers. This cutthroat environment means your product needs …

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In: Retailing Tips|Last Updated:

Consumers have adapted their everyday routines to contribute to their overall wellness goals, and the personal care products they choose are a reflection of this. As they increasingly seek out brands that offer transparency, sustainability and inclusivity, Walgreens has stepped up with assortments that deliver them.

In this recent fireside chat, ECRM SVP of Retail Wayne Bennett and Cheryl Loeding, Senior Director, DMM – Personal Care for Walgreens, took a deep dive into how the retailer is helping its shoppers take a more holistic approach to their personal care regimens. Loeding also offered some recommendations for brands looking to get on the shelves at the retailer’s 9,000 stores.  

Watch the full video interview with Walgreens’ Cheryl Loeding

ECRM: Tell us a little bit about your role at Walgreens.

Loeding: As the DMM of personal care, my primary role is to develop and execute merchandising strategies to drive sales, profitability and overall business success within the personal care division, which at Walgreens includes hair care, oral care, shave, deodorant, bath and baby. And our purpose within the division is to create more joyful lives by providing everyone with the best personal care solutions that promote personal health and wellbeing.

ECRM: There’s

…
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