Savvy retailers want and need brands to up their game — to provide true category leadership. This does not mean brands need to spend money they currently do not have to invest in expensive tools. On the contrary, retailers need brands to educate them on who their shoppers are, how...
“Dr. Drew” Pinsky, the board-certified internist and celebrity doc, has a new app called “Heal.” You can use it on your computer, tablet or phone to book an appointment with a medical doctor from an independent local practice to come to your home or office within a two-hour window of...
Giving shoppers a chance to pick up their packages is causing more to visit their local Whole Foods Market, according to research from inMarket. Serving as a package drop-off point can work for any neighborhood retailer who already has a trusted relationship with customers and wants to give them another...
One of the biggest “Aha!” moments from WholeFoods Magazine’s 40th Annual Retailer Survey, was the jump in marketing spending reported by independent natural organic retailers. In prior years’ surveys, independents told us they relied heavily on word-of-mouth to drive sales increases, often spending less than 1% on marketing and advertising.
Editor’s note: This month we offer a tip for our readers who want to get distribution for their brands. To get your brand on a retailer’s shelf you need to convince them your product will help them make more money. Sounds simple, right? Not so fast. First, you must have...
Independent retailers, and especially those in the natural space, are the lifeblood of the communities they serve. They typically have a strong commitment to the community, sustainability, local schools and causes, and educating their loyal customers about brands specifically designed to meet their needs. Independent natural retailers fill a void...
How can small retailers remain competitive and grow in a hyper-competitive market? This is a question I get asked a lot. This is a question that needs to also include the brands these retailers sell. Most small brands owe their very existence and their start to the small retailer that...
What is a meal kit? A meal kit lets people actively make a meal without having to first assemble all the fixings, and answers the question, “How can I serve a meal quickly and conveniently, yet still feel involved in the process?” The fresh ingredients, from flesh proteins to veggies,...
You may have been told you need sales performance reports to better manage your natural business, but where do you start? It’s important to understand not all reports are useful and the wrong reports will only serve to confuse and distract you. This is why you need to understand what...
There’s an old saying, “Youth is wasted on the young.” As an independent natural products retailer, you probably wish you could hire someone who possesses the wisdom that comes with age, but with the back muscles of a high school wrestler. Because retail is a physical sport, you must recruit...
