BlueX Trade’s Post

Never bet against pizza. That's a lesson Alex Cree learned when he brought BAOZZA! from China over to the USA. Take a listen to this episode to see how Alex was able to quickly grow distribution nationally. Also, how his pizza-stuffed bao buns had surprising demand in certain markets. #CPG #CPGMarketing https://lnkd.in/gnBacvJg

It was a privilege to help launch Hapi Drinks into Costco TX this year. With 45 doors in the region (and growing), Costco TX partnered to customize a special price/pack just for them - resulting in an order of multiple truckloads. The Costco P&L is simple and transparent. They want a value against retail and a value against cost. You'll need to be prepared to achieve high velocity expectations for your Department's expectations, and there are various marketing levers you can pull to help. #cpg #retail #costco #beverage #consumerbrands

Let's summarize. How much inventory is backed up on market? We determine this by taking total deals on market divided by 'run rate' (# of deals that close per month: Chick-fil-A - 6 months Caliber Collision - 7 months Dutch Brothers - 10 months Starbucks - 13 months Chipotle - 15 months Adding 7-11, WaWa and two others to the mix next month!

https://lnkd.in/g3-ierGy Meet chihuahua as some call him, francois-philippe champagne, liberal Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry. Loblaws, Canadian company, largest Canadian food retailer, even owns Real Canadian Liquorstore, and Zehrs, hmmm didn't know that. Empire Company Limited, parent company of Sobeys, Safeway and Freshco, second largest food retailer in Canada. Metro Inc., third largest food retailer in Canada. Walmart Canada, fourth largest. Costco Wholesale Canada, fifth largest. Walmart and Costco, originated in the States. The Canadian only retailers have signed on, Loblaws has "signed" but with conditions, contingent on all signing. Walmart and Costco have not, good luck getting them to agree. Keep barking chihuahua, nobody cares about the BS Grocery Code of Conduct you're trying to get signed. Doesn't mean grocery prices will come down, it's just like an alliance between the top five. Stakeholders may benefit, not consumers.

In the USA, approximately 40% of those who brew coffee at home purchase their coffee from a grocery store. Retail can thus be a valuable sales channel for roasters looking to expand and drive growth. At the same time, the new marketplace poses new challenges and prompts operational adjustments. Join me on March 5 to learn more about retail challenges and opportunities. Use the code below 👇🏻to get 50% off on a General Admission Pass and access the seminar. #coffeebusiness #coffeeroaster #growthstrategy

Boston Celtics beat the Dallas Mavericks: 107 -89. What has this to do with Luckin Coffee and Starbucks. Well, Boston Celtics had a big lead (23) at half-time that was cut to 8 pts by Dallas. It looked like momentum has turned, but BC ran out winners. Luckin Coffee is back and beating Starbucks in China. They are trying to compete with Starbucks on being more targeted to the Chinese palate, and being way cheaper. "Starbucks has often shrugged off Luckin’s threat. As recently as January of this year, the US company appeared to dismiss Luckin’s low prices as a temporary phenomenon. “You see an influx of mass-market competitors focused on fast store expansion and low-price tactics to drive trial. This will shake out over time,” Belinda Wong, who oversees Starbucks in China, told analysts." And Starbucks is NOT able to come up with a competitive reaction. "Yet Starbucks has begun to struggle. For the quarter through March, sales in China sank 8% from a year earlier, compared with a 42% surge at Luckin." And they want to compete by being more Chinese in their ordering and payment. Here's what I think: Chinese Coffee Chains will beat Starbucks, but Starbucks will still be around. In other words, the biggest threat to Luckin is another Chinese coffee chain. First, there will always be a market for Starbucks - it, McD, will still be there. Two, there is always a market for good enough coffee - for a given definition of good enough. In Australia, Starbucks was not good enough. Three, Starbucks has always charged a brand premium for slightly better than good enough coffee. I think that has to change. (also the slightly better than good enough microwaveable food). That is the product. Starbucks actually has a free product - it was supposed to be your 'third place.' But that was in a pre-smartphone world, today - most of us are in our third place with a smartphone and headphones, and doom scrolling. We need not have physical stores. So if Starbucks is so bad, why would I back them to beat Luckin? I did not say that - I said that Chinese Coffee will have a turf war. And Starbucks will respond with smaller cups, but not go into the war itself. If I have an option (in SG), I prefer Paris Baguette over SB; but since I drink good enough coffee - I really don't care. (This is a personal choice thing, no one except Nescafe really benefits from my coffee drinking habits) Luckin still does not beat Kopi-O Kosong.

The latest edition of Costco Connection is speaking my language:

Salespeople - Here's an entertaining exercise you can do to level up your game: Next time you're in line getting lunch or coffee ask for a discount. Don't give any particular reason, just ask. It's wildly uncomfortable. At least it was for me. So much of sales and business is in "asking" and other uncomfortable spaces. This exercise lets you practice being uncomfortable. My first go around, the cashier at Chipotle brought over the manager and we all stared at each other not knowing what to do or say. The second time I got a free drink. If you try it I'd love to hear your experience. Idea credit: Tim Ferriss #industrialsales #manufacturing #industrialmarketing

Save the date for our Supply Chain & Logistics Industry Forum on August 10th! This a great opportunity to connect with Supply Chain & Logistics leaders and acquire invaluable Supply Chain insights. See below for further information!