173. The Power Of Networking to Boost Brand Sales

173. Worried your CPG brand won't survive economic uncertainty? If you don't future-proof your strategy now, you risk losing shelf space, shopper loyalty, and runway. Retail is pay-to-play. Over 80% of natural brands fail in their first year—not because their product isn't good, but because they rely on cookie-cutter strategies their competitors are using too. When uncertainty rises, weak strategies get exposed. In this episode, I break down how to future-proof your brand by shifting from transactional selling to strategic category leadership. You'll learn why everything in retail is negotiable, what retailers actually want (more traffic, competitive advantage, and reasonable profit), and how to bring insights your competitors overlook. I also explain why relying solely on brokers for category management won't differentiate your brand—and what to do instead. If you want better placement, stronger merchandising support, and more influence at retail, this episode is your roadmap. Listen to additional episodes to go deeper into sustainable CPG growth strategies. Get instant access on the show webpage: RetailSolved.com/session173