Grow Global Industry Insights

US Trade Shows

Mon, 07 Aug 2023 18:52:11 GMT

A quick overview of the US Trade Shows by category

If you are looking to access the US market, here are the major US Trade shows for food/beverage and different CPG categories:

Food and Beverage:

Winter Fancy Food Show (Las Vegas) - January
Natural Products Expo West (Anaheim) - March
Seafood Expo North America (Boston) - March
Summer Fancy Food Show (New York) - June
International Dairy, Deli and Bakery Show (Houston) - June
Natural Products Expo East (Philadelphia) - September
Plant Based World (New York) - September
America's Food and Beverage (Miami) - September
Sweets and Snacks (Indianapolis) - May
Global Produce and Floral Show ( Anaheim) - October
PLMA (Chicago) - November
National Restaurant Association Show - Chicago

Pet Products:

Global Pet Expo (Orlando) - March
Super Zoo (Las Vegas) - August

Beauty and Wellness:

Cosmoprof North America - January and July

Housewares:

The Inspired Home Show (Chicago) - March

Electronics:

CES (Las Vegas) - January

Trade Show Do's and Dont's

Fri, 21 Jul 2023 14:00:22 GMT

How to maximize face to face interactions and increase follow-up?

Let's go behind the booth design and location here and let's look at how can small and medium companies maximize trade show attendance:

1. Choose the right trade show

This seems like a given but a lot of times we see companies attending the wrong show and ultimately wasting their time and money. You know your market, do some research and spend your money where your clients are.

2. Promote your attendance

Announce your participation starting one month out and invite buyers to stop by your booth. Book appointments!!!

Reach out to the buyers you have been having conversations with and let them know you will be attending a trade show in their area and invite them to stop by. Reach out to new buyers, promote your company and product.

3. Be approachable

Don't sit at the table and scroll on your phone. Be approachable and engage with the people that stop by.

4. Listen and take notes!

When people stop by chances are something caught their attention. Listen to what it is and start a conversation with them. Take few notes so you remember what was discussed and can follow-up appropriately.

If conversation was productive ask about follow-up steps so you know what is expected.

5. Don't push literature and samples

Buyers walk around a lot at these trade shows and they might not be interested to carry all your catalogues. Have something light that you can staple with your card so they remember the products and follow up with an e-catalogue after the event.

6. Follow up! Follow up! Follow up!

Follow up is most important and it should be done properly and timely.

Few days after the event send a personalized thank you note to those who stopped by and invite them to schedule a virtual meeting to discuss opportunities. Note the points that were discussed at the show and send an e-catalogue.

- Do not send an email and cc everyone you met with

- Trade show attendance is not a newsletter sign-up. Do not assume everyone you met with wants to receive your weekly newsletter.

- Do not invade people with emails after the event. Send one personalized follow up and wait for feedback. Follow up in 2 weeks with a reminder or short call.

Client Spotlight - Calabria Food

Wed, 05 Jul 2023 19:48:37 GMT

Calabria Foods - Famiglia Crispino is an expression of tradition and Italian spirit bringing to the market Calabrian gastronomic specialties since 1979.

Ancient recipes and production methods that have been handed down for generations, with simple ingredients Calabria Foods offers a wide variety of tomato and pasta sauces as well as antipasti.

Gluten Free
No Preservatives

The clean design and product quality makes Famiglia Crispino stand out in the Tomato Product category.

Famiglia Crispino recently won one of the Italian Food Awards at the 2023 Summer Fancy Food Show with the Crispino Idroponici product - Hydropinic Datterini Tomatoes grown in water.

Other products include Calabrian vegetables seasoned with extra virgin olive oil and other antipasti that reflect Calabrian agricultural excellence and simplicity of ingredients.

2023 Fancy Food, NYC

Wed, 05 Jul 2023 17:48:07 GMT

We were happy to attend the 2023 Summer Fancy Food Show and meet so many interesting companies. Here are some of the items that caught our attention in the International Section.

Morocco was the partner country but Italy dominated in terms of company number. Italy is always interesting with a selection of authentic products, we did see a lot of truffles and pasta sauces but what caught our attention was the ready to cook pasta kits that included pasta, sauce and everything you need to make the dish. Other ingredients are suggested with the recipe in case you want to add more than what was provided.

Moving to the Greek pavilion, we found dehydrated olives. Very flavorful and a good addition to salads or any dishes.

Another interesting item were the veggies chips, quite a change from the root veggies chips like beets, carrots and parsley to veggies like mushrooms and broccoli.

We also saw fig chips which were delicious and other dried fruit chips like oranges that can either be consumed as a chip or added to beverages for flavor.

Last but not least - Mocktails! We found mocktails in the French, Italian and Austrian pavilion and they were delicious.

New York City Store Tour

Wed, 05 Jul 2023 17:05:09 GMT

The New York City grocery stores, from small to large, offer a large selection of goods and a window to the world foods.

If you are walking the streets of New York City it is impossible not to pass by a grocery store. You will actually see one every few steps. From Trader Joe's and Whole Foods to more specialty stores like Eataly and Citarella Gourmet Market, to small mom and pop stores, New York City has them all offering both gourmet and convenience options.

Let's take a look at some of them!

Your corner store - Adam's Market Place

At the corner of 8th Ave and W 20th Street we found Adam's Market Place which is a typical Deli/Grocery/Convenience store that you find at every corner in New York. These small stores like Adam's Market Place are open 24h and offer an option of a warm meal as well as getting some of your staple foods and household needs like snacks, pasta and sauces, ready to eat foods and cleaning products. Small with narrow aisles, these type of stores find an eye pleasant way to arrange the wide variety of goods in small space and be able to offer something for everyone.

National Chains - Trader Joe's and Whole Foods Market

The two national chains present in New York City are Trader Joe's and Whole Foods Market. Tucked in the city buildings and blending with the architecture; the outside look of these stores is different from what we are used to in other parts of the country. However, the typical assortment of organic and healthy foods is up to the standards.

Whole Foods has 18 stores in NYC - 14 in Manhattan and 4 in Brooklyn
Trader Joe's has 9 stores in NYC

I visited the W33rd location of Whole Foods and it felt like a breath of fresh air in the busyness of the city.

Wide aisles and lots of lighting the store greets you with a cafe at the lower level and opens a great shopping experience and restaurant area on the second floor. Many local items are completing the nationwide offering and international selection in the store.

Neighborhood Grocers

Westside Market, King Kullen, Fairway Market, Morton Williams, Gristedes Supermarket, D'Agostino's are all chains born in the New York area that grew to address the needs of the neighborhood.

King Kullen is a family owned and operated chain with 29 locations. The Smithsonian Institute acknowledges King Kullen as America's first supermarket.

West Side Market is a family owned and operated chain with 8 locations in NYC "as unique as the neighborhood it serves."

Fairway Market is a 4 store chain that started from a humble corner fruit and veggie stand. Fairway flagship store is on Broadway & W 74th Street.

Morton Williams Supermarkets includes 14 stores in NYC, 1 in Bronx and 1 in New Jersey. Also a family owned and operated food retailer that customizes the offering based on the needs of the neighborhood.

Gristedes Supermarket has 19 locations in the NYC area offering a large selection of items.

D'Agostino or D'Ag has 11 locations in the NYC area operated by the D'Agostino family.

Citarella Gourmet Market is known for it's high quality seafood that you can order not only at one of their 9 locations but online as well. Vitarella Gourmet Markets also provide a large assortment of meat, produce, pastries and groceries for everyone's taste.

Specialty Markets

EATALY - with a limited number of stores in main markets like New York, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Toronto, Eataly offers all Italian gems from pizza to gelato and everything in between.

Eataly has two stores in NYC where you can dine, shop and discover authentic Italian products.

Mediterranean Foods - specializes in Greek and Mediterranean gourmet foods.

H Mart - is the place to go to for Korean and a variety of Asian products. Present in 14 US states with 97 locations, HMart has three stores in the NYC area and it is the largest Asian supermarket chain in the US.

KATAGIRI - with two locations in NYC, Katagiri provides Japanese groceries.

New York Biltong - a specialty store selling South African groceries

Let's wrap it up with the top 10 NYC grocery stores by store numbers:

National and Regional Chains

Whole Foods - 18 stores

Trade Joes - 9 stores

HMart - 3 stores

Eataly - 2 stores

Local Chains

King Kullen - 29 locations

Gristedes - 19 stores

Morton Williams - 14 stores

D'Agostino - 11 stores

Citarella - 9 stores

Westside Market - 8 stores

Corner stores and Farmer Markets

Client Spotlight - BioMagic

Thu, 08 Dec 2022 20:04:16 GMT

Produced in Turkey and available on all continents, BioMagic is a permanent hair color line with a large color selection. The formula contains Keratin & Argan Oil, it is Ammonia FREE, and Contains Certified Organic Ingredients.

With a large assortment of shades as well as a line of shampoo and conditioners to help maintain a health hair, BioMagic is present in top European Beauty stores like Rossmann Hungary, Rossmann Czech Republic, Drogas Latvia, Tigota, Italy and many others.

At Grow Global we worked with BioMagic to launch in the Polish market as well as on Amazon European Marketplace.

Romanian Retail Environment

Fri, 02 Dec 2022 03:38:19 GMT

With the occasion of Romania's National Day here is an overview of the retail environment in Romania with an emphasis on food and beverage.

While the traditional markets are still a main source for local fruits and vegetables, dairy products and meat; Romanians have become accustomed with more and more European retail chains establishing themselves in the country.

While initially chains like Carrefour, Kaufland, Auchan were mainly located at the outskirts of the city now, smaller express stores are opening in various, more convenient locations and easy accessible to people by foot.

For example, Carrefour operates various formats in the country including - Carrefour Hypermarket, Carrefour Market and Carrefour Express each located to respond to area demographics and socio-economic conditions.

Large retail chains doubled their sales on the Romanian market in the past 10 years showing the shift in consumer's choices when it comes to shopping. Large chains offer a wider selection of products, more variety and the convenience of finding everything in one location. All this comes to the detriment of the small mom-and-pop shops and the traditional markets.

Top Chains in the Market include:

Profi has the largest number of stores and coverage of the Romanian market. However, terms of sales Lidl , Kaufland and Carrefour are leaders in the Romanian market.

In the past 10 years Lidl has become the top choice of middle class Romanians living in the urban. Due to its numerous stores that are spread all over metropolitan areas, at very competitive prices, having its own private label and a unique assortment that can be found only in Lidl supermarkets, along with limited edition products and even having a program of “international culinary week”, Lidl managed to exceed customers' expectations in terms of product ranges, diversity and costs. Moreover, loyal customers that own customer cards, receive extra discounts at the cash register.

Carrefour , a well know retailer in the European market made it's mark in Romania as well through a wide store selection and by building trust through quality, diversity and occasional price cut offs, especially during holidays.

Auchan format in the Romanian market is similiar to a department store where about half of the space is occupied by food and beverage, with a wide produce selection, while the other half consists of electronics, general merchandise, health and beauty and clothing items. Auchan has everything you would need from vacuums to groceries, party planning items, gifts, garden items, cleaning, personal care and much more. Auchan differentiates itself through large product selection, wide assortment in fresh food department as well as a delicious, prepared foods area.

Mega Image is the first choice of Romanians living in urban areas when it comes to stores and minimarkets within the proximity of their homes. It is more pricey in comparison to the regular supermarkets and hypermarkets however, their own label is highly accessible and offers a great variety of products. In terms of fruits and vegetables, these are both local and imported while the deli area has mainly a local meat and dairy assortment. Mega Image differentiates itself among the convenience stores through the high number of stores and a wide range of organic and free from products (no sugar or gluten free). They also have ready meals and one even can make its custom made salads or sandwiches with ingredients by his choice.

With 93 stores, Annabella is one of the few 100% owned Romanian retailer in the market.

Diana , another Romanian owned retailer, has 58 stores and mainly specializes in meat products, occupying an important place among the 100% Romanian meat producers.

With less stores but high volume sales, Metro and Selgros are membership only club stores that allow bulk purchases.

Although present in the market for almost 20 years, Cora has seen little growth in term of store numbers and has limited presence in the Romanian retail sector with only 17 stores.

It's interesting how the retail sector evolved in Romania over the past 15 years and continues to innovate every day providing Romanians a wide selection of local and international products.

Kroger and Albertsons Announced Merger Plans

Tue, 25 Oct 2022 02:15:12 GMT

Kroger and Albertsons, two of the top 10 grocery chains in the US, announced plans to merge. How would that impact the current market structure?

There are different ways to look at the US grocery chains which in turn give different classifications but no matter the criteria, Kroger and Albertsons are among the top 10 grocers in the US.

Dominant on the East coast, Kroger has 2800+ stores across 35 states and operates 20 banners including Fred Meyer Stores, Fry's Food, Harris Teeter, Ralphs, Roundy's to name a few.

On the other side, Albertsons is better positioned on the West coast with 2300+ stores across 34 states. Albertsons operates 20 banners including Safeway, Jewel-Osco, Vons, Shaw's and others.

Below are different views of the US retail environment with a particular focus on grocery. Kroger + Albertson merger would create quite a competition to Walmart in terms of Food category sales and store number while strengthening Kroger's position as the second largest Food retailer in the US.

*Note - Exhibits below include approximate sales and store numbers based on public information.

A rank by store number would not have a huge impact on the classification depending on how many Albertsons/Kroger stores will be closed upon merger due to competition in same markets.

Looking at the ranking by food sales, the merger would definitely create opportunities for Kroger to position itself as the main grocery chain in the US in terms of food sales. A merger would create opportunities for the two chains to leverage efficiencies, improve processes and reduce costs while overall creating a better shopping experience for their customers.

If approved, Kroger/Albertsons merger will not go into effect until 2024 and it will definitely be interesting to see how it shifts the retail environment in the US.

Agar Agar

Thu, 13 Oct 2022 17:17:52 GMT

Agar Agar

Popular in the Asian market, Agar-agar is not widely used in beyond the Asian continent.

Part of our virtual Program of promoting Indonesian Ingredient companies around the world we had the opportunity to work with three Indonesian Agar-agar manufacturers. Here is some info on what Agar-agar is and what are some of its uses.

Agar-agar is an extract of red marine algae (Gracillaria) and 100% natural. Agar-agar is odorless and tasteless, has zero calories and is rich in minerals. Agar-agar is also high in fibers.

USAGE:

Agar is resistant to high temperatures and has various uses in the food industry including:

gelling agent
as a rigid gel in confectionery and canned products
as a layer in sweet surface in order not to stick on the sweet wrappers
prevents meat from turning mushy and reducing damage in soft meats, permitting the reduction of fat content
stabilizing property in the dairy industry
stabilizer, suspending agent and clarifier in beverages
as a vegan option to different glazes in the bakery industry
preventing dehydration in bakery products

Other Agar-agar uses include cosmetics and personal care industry, microbiology and bacteriology

Client Spotlight - Produce Lovers

Fri, 16 Sep 2022 17:34:03 GMT

Produce Lovers

We are happy to work with Produce Lovers to help with their expansion in the US market.

Produce Lovers is a vertically integrated organization with over 30 years of experience devoted to the production and distribution of Berries (blackberries, blueberries and raspberries) as well as Persian Limes. All the farms are located in Mexico.

Among the assortment you can find:

Organic and Conventional Blueberries – Jupiter, Biloxi, Atlas, Beauty and Pop premium varieties, various packaging options
Seasonality: mid August – mid June
Conventional Blackberries – Tupi and Sultana variety
Seasonality: October – end of May
Conventional Raspberries – Clarita variety

Certifications – Global GAP, USDA Organic, Primus GFS

Lead Generation

Thu, 01 Sep 2022 17:45:00 GMT

The bulk of the work we do at Grow Global involves Lead Generation so we wanted to take a moment and present our perspective on this topic and where it falls in any company structure and list of priorities.

Innovation, Lead Generation, Consumer Satisfaction and Company Culture are the main four areas that always need to be vivid in order for a company to thrive. As a business, you can never loose focus on any of these aspects since it will impact your next quarter results. These major pieces co-exist with each other and are highly dependable on each other; when one of these areas thrives it generates momentum for the others to grow.

Let’s take a moment to review each of them:

INNOVATION – Your product or service came about through an idea or a need that generated enthusiasm at different levels. This propelled the idea to the concrete, marketable solution that exists today. However, without continuing to innovate your current product or service will, in time, no longer respond to the market needs.

LEAD GENERATION – I always hear from companies saying "We don’t need more leads or customers. We are happy with the customers we have and we will continue to serve them." This sounds pretty much like the widely used concept of ‘quiet quitting’ that’s circling around at the moment. The same as employees decide to only do the bare minimum to keep their job, companies decide to stay in the comfortable position they reached and continue to float in the fake feeling of security they created for themselves. Staying in the current state and counting on your customers to continue to be your customers is not a strategy because everything is replaceable, a cheaper product, a better service, a new or more innovative company will come about and you will not only lose your customer but you will also look at an empty pipeline. Lead generation takes time and effort and it feeds of your innovation, company culture and consumer satisfaction. Lead Generation not only includes your prospects but it also includes the potential customers that said ‘no’ at one point. They must not be forgotten as we can always go back to the 'no leads' when something new and exciting happens in the company. Keep your pipeline updated with changes and wins in the other areas of the organization!

COMPANY CULTURE – Company culture is the area that attracts the right employees, customers and partners; it is also the area that helps maintain the employees satisfied, engaged and productive. Company culture and products dictate who should be in the lead generation pipeline. Company Culture is a bit different than the other aspects discussed here because it's not necessary something tangible; it is more about the image we create, the culture we cultivate, the feeling we leave behind after an interaction or the perception the consumers get when seeing or using the product/service.

CONSUMER SATISFACTION – is what keeps selling the products and services and contributes to widening the lead generation funnel.

Wins in these four areas create momentum for each other and opportunities for growth. When we lose focus on one of these aspects we can quickly miss opportunities and see a decline in employee and consumer satisfaction. Even when you reach a position or status you are comfortable with you need to continue to invest in innovation, cultivate company culture, improve consumer satisfaction and continue to generate leads to stay on a growth path.

Summer Fancy Food

Fri, 17 Jun 2022 11:23:33 GMT

Summer Fancy Food Show Recap

We were happy to meet industry partners earlier this week in New York, during the Summer Fancy Food Show. After a two year pause it was good to browse the stands and see emerging trends and smiling faces.

Although the show seemed a little smaller than usual and less traffic, we were happy to see a good representation from international companies. Among the country pavilions present were Italy, South Africa, Poland, Argentina, France, UK, South Korea, Japan, Ecuador, Tunisia, Spain, Greece, Iceland.

What we've seen?

Definitely a lot of organic and plant-based products
Honey from all corners of the world; from raw, creamed, iced honey to flavored honey and different fruit/honey mixes.
Sunflower seed milk
More plant-based snacks that move away from processed foods and include more vegetables
A lot of products to help people drink more water by using Flower extracts to flavor water and similar ideas
Carob 'Chocolate' was surprisingly tasty and has the same texture as regular chocolate but no cocoa
Large salt assortment and unique products in this category
Bubble tea products that help take the Bubble Teas Shop experience at home
Sugar free products including a large assortment of sugar free non-alcoholic beverages
In general, a large assortment of olive oil, pasta and pasta sauce
Sustainable, biodegradable packaging ideas including business cards that could be planted to grow herbs
A pleasant surprise was to see a lot more companies that go beyond the products they market and try to help communities and the farmers they work with

Most common challenges in International Trade

Tue, 07 Jun 2022 15:48:55 GMT

International business has never been easier. In the current times, businesses of all types are aiming to grow on a global scale. Considering the openness of global markets, the emerging ones from Europe and Asia competing harshly with the US market, most industries may take advantage of the variety of resources they have at their disposal.

However, even though opportunities are increasing, there are a few main challenges that businesses worldwide are still struggling with and might be in many cases international trade barriers.

Economical context

During times of recession importers are more reluctant to diversify their rage of products or services they offer due to their expectations of decreasing demand, both B2B and B2C. At the same time, exporters are encountering the same challenges since their business partners are cutting off the demand.

However, even though this might be counterintuitive, that is the moment when companies should push harder and go ahead with new approaches in order to overcome the crisis with as small damage as possible.

Political aspects

In international trade, political aspects are affecting the trade processes directly considering the diversity of countries involved. Thus, it is important to analyze the political situation for the countries your company is targeting and keep an eye on their evolution in order to be able to align smoothly with the other stakeholders. In order to do so, you might consider partnering with a company specialized in international trade research to receive the support and business insights that you need.

Laws, regulations and taxes

The legal side of export might be complicated and overwhelming, especially if you are new to market and do not have a clear understanding of that particular country’s laws, regulations and taxes. For these reasons, it would be recommended to consider working with a consulting company that can provide you all the information and limitations. You can contact us for key considerations in international business.

Changing Trends

Among the main trends that you need to follow and keep a close eye on can be named:

High tech trade booms – technology is evolving every day and it is impacting international trade on a high level. Thus, it is recommended to stay connected and take this opportunity to move your business further.

Asian manufacturing diversifies – as Asia is a fast-emerging market, their offerings are getting popular and a wide variety of products are setting the trend on a global level.

Sustainability – has become a popular term in the past few years and it is getting new shapes as researches show up with new solutions for a sustainable lifestyle. Renewable energy, sustainable fashion items and construction materials are only a few of them.

Adaptability

Forecasts are essential while going international considering the high speed at which the world Is changing. Thus, considering the objective your company aims to for the next 5 up to 10 years, you need to analyze and be updated in terms of strategy, business plan and product development.

Customs Brokers and US Imports

Wed, 01 Jun 2022 21:25:54 GMT

Customs Brokers and why do you need one to help with import/export transactions

US customs procedures can be complicated and many times paperwork is better handled by industry experts who can advise you on all regulations, requirements, and submit necessary documentation. Here are few short points to help you navigate entry requirements to the US.

Customs Brokers are individuals licensed to transact customs business on behalf of others. Customs Brokers are very knowledgeable in customs business and regulations and are an important partner to help you clear merchandise at the port of entry in the US.

To Consider when preparing your paperwork

Import to the US ? There are two major things that determine the rate of duty for imports in the US:

- Country of Origin

- Harmonized Tariff Schedule ( HTS ) number

Customs Brokers assist importers in determining classification of items, country of origin and currency conversion.

Documents required by Customs Brokers to process entry to the US include:

- Commercial invoice

- Bill of lading

Commercial Invoice Requirements:

- Port of Entry

- Name and Address of buyer and Seller

- Description of Merchandise

- Currency

- Country of Origin

Useful Links to review:

Locate Port of Entry in the US

Tips for new importers/exporters in the US

Know the Retailer

Wed, 01 Jun 2022 18:49:21 GMT

How well do you know the Retailer?

Suppliers rush to the market only to be disappointed when there is lack of follow up. Here are few points to help you learn more about the retailers you are targeting in new markets. This will help you not only better target who you want to talk to but also to be prepared for a potential meeting.

History - what is the history of the retailer and what does the company stand for?

Number of stores - how many stores do they have and do you have capacity to supply them?

Location - Where are the stores located? What is the racial and economic background of the population in that area and do your products fit the demographics? Is your target consumer shopping there?

Competitors - who are their competitors and do you work with any of those chains?

Brands in your category - what brands does the retailer already carry in your category and how is your line different? If you are in market you should check some of the stores, otherwise check their webpage and look for brands in your category, pricing, packaging, shelf displays, ingredients, shelf life, discounts.

E-commerce - do they offer e-commerce?

Are you ready for the US Market?

Wed, 01 Jun 2022 17:16:37 GMT

FDA Strategy for Safety of Imported Foods

All food suppliers looking to enter the US market must meet FDA guidelines and be FSVP compliant.

FDA - Food and Drug Administration

FSVP - Foreign Supplier Verification Program

According to FDA, the United States imports about 15 percent of its overall food supply. Today more than 200 countries or territories and roughly 125,000 food facilities plus farms supply approximately 32 percent of the fresh vegetables, 55 percent of the fresh fruit, and 94 percent of the seafood that Americans consume annually. But this increasingly globalized and complex marketplace has also placed new challenges on our food safety system.

In 2011, Congress passed the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), shifting the focus of federal regulators from responding to contamination to preventing it. Over the last several years, the agency has developed prevention-based standards applicable to foreign and domestic food growers, manufacturers, processors, packers, and holders. In addition to establishing new food safety standards, FSMA has granted FDA new and supplementary oversight and enforcement authorities to ensure industry is meeting these standards.

Here is a quick look at the FDA Strategy for Safety of Imported Foods .

Also consider:

EAN Codes : If your items have a n EAN you will need to covert to UPC numbers for the US market to make things easier

Country of Origin : Having the Country of Origin is a must for all packaging

US Manufacturing Plant: You do not need a manufacturing plant in the US but not all retailers import so you will need a warehouse, work with a third party logistics company or use an importer for warehousing

Ethnic Market - when thinking about the US market many manufacturers think about being present in the large retail chains like Walmart, Kroger, Publix, HEB and others. One aspect that is sometimes overlooked is the Ethnic Market. The diverse population of the US created room for a large number of ethnic stores that target the population in their area. These are small mom and pop stores that carry mainly ethnic products targeted to a specific region. Throughout the US you will find a large number of European Markets, Ukrainian stores, German stores, Lebanese stores, Asian stores and the list goes on. To supply these stores, US hosts a number of distributors focused on specific regions of the world and they are a good option to contact to launch your products in the US. Targeting the right Ethnic Markets ensures your initial customers will be people already familiar with your brand and looking for a taste of home.

Mainstream Grocery or International Isle - where does your product fit best? the regular grocery isle or the international isle? The majority of retail chains have an international isle meant to bring consumers a taste of the world. Unique items, specific to a country of region would be better suited in the international isle until the consumers get familiar with the brand. Different buyers may be in charge of the International isle so make sure you are contacting the correct buyer.