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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 …

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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 …

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Creating a More Sustainable Final Mile

The commerce landscape has changed dramatically since the e-commerce boom of 2020, leading to a new omnichannel environment. Consumers now have more options than ever before when it comes to how and where they shop. E-commerce channels allow them to deliver straight to their doorstep, in-store pickup, or secure pickup locations. However, this shift has come with some environmental costs, as many consumers are becoming increasingly concerned about the impact of their shopping habits.

According to a recent survey, 40% of consumers are concerned about the environmental impact of increased online shopping. Additionally, 66% believe it’s important for retailers to improve sustainability efforts. However, while consumers want to make more sustainable choices, they are often unsure how their shopping habits impact the environment. For example, 29% are uncertain about the environmental impact of online vs. in-store shopping.

Ultimately, the impacts of increased e-commerce spending are clear. The World Economic Forum predicts 36% more delivery vehicles will be in inner cities by 2030. Similarly, Accenture predicts a 32% increase in carbon emissions from urban delivery vehicles by 2030.

Reducing Final Mile Emissions

So, how can retailers reduce the environmental impact of e-commerce fulfillment? The starting point is in the final mile. …

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Unmasking Imposter Syndrome for Better Business Relationships

A few years ago, I was moderating a training conference with the senior leadership of a small, emerging company. During the meeting, I asked the CEO to share a moment that had transformed how he now leads. This individual was truly loved, admired, and respected by the members of his team because he was known for inspiring others with both his head and his heart. His response to the question shifted the atmosphere immediately, bringing tears to some people’s eyes.

After a successful prior 10 years at a company, he had lost the support of his team and had grown apart from his boss. He recalled walking the city streets until 4 AM, feeling bewildered and empty as he assessed leaving the company because he felt he no longer fit the culture. Tears filled his eyes as he shared the story, recounting the feelings and stress it put on his family. He paused and shared, “That emotion is still with me.” It was a moment of truth and openness. Everyone recognized the authenticity of this remarkable leader because he had removed his mask.

Many of us have had these moments and empirically understand this feeling. It has been estimated that …

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Three Pitches. Three Major Retail Wins: Here’s How Clean Age Did it With ECRM & RangeMe

Clean Age is batting a thousand when it comes to landing major retail deals. The brand, which makes personal care products aimed at the teenage market, is on the shelves at Fred Meyer thanks to Kroger’s 2021 Natural & Organic Innovation Summit; it also scored a coveted golden ticket from Walmart’s 2022 Open Call; and this past month launched nationwide at RITE AID from the retailer’s 2022 Sustainability Summit.

Each of these opportunities began with a submission on RangeMe and — in the case of Kroger and Rite Aid — included a virtual meeting on ECRM Connect. Three at-bats, three home runs. 

I spoke with Clean Age Co-Founder & CEO Rachel Peters and VP of Sales and Operations Brady DeLong to uncover the secret behind their consistent success with these retailers, and by the time we wrapped up, it was clear why they did so well. First, the brand has amazing products made with natural, clean ingredients and sustainable packaging. The products are also gender-neutral, which aligns with the brand’s strong focus on inclusivity. What’s more, the company speaks well to the younger generation of consumers, a coveted market for any retailer.

On the B2B side, the Clean Age team …

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5 Unique Trends From Natural Products Expo West 2023

The 2023 Natural Products Expo West is an annual event that brings natural and organic products industry leaders and enthusiasts together worldwide. The event, which took place in Anaheim from March 7-12, was the perfect place for showcasing the latest trends, innovations, and breakthroughs in the industry. More than 100,000 attendees and 3,500 exhibitors gathered to discover new products or showcase their own, network with industry professionals, and attend informative sessions and workshops.

The RangeMe & ECRM team at Expo West 2023

As our RangeMe team strolled through the different exhibition halls, we were thrilled to witness many of our suppliers proudly displaying their products. Natural products continue to gain popularity, and we’ve compiled a list of the most promising trends from the show that we expect to pick up even more steam this year.

Asian fusion 

This year’s showcase was all about shaking things up with global flavors and funky takes on classic favorites. Condiments like Japanese miso barbecue sauce or Fila Manila®’s Filipino banana ketchup had mouths watering, and some brands got creative with their own versions of chili crisp and Asian-inspired bites like mochi, dumplings, and ramen. And don’t even get us started on the flavor explosion …

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