2nd Annual Founders Day Recap 2025- Presented by ECRM, RangeMe and RetailMedia IQ

Episode # 132On Wednesday of this week, the Road 2 Retail team attended the 2nd Annual Founder's Innovation Day. This event was presented by ECRM, RangeMe, and RetailMedia IQ. The purpose of this very well attended event was to allow emerging brands to hear directly from many of the nation's leading retailers exactly what is expected of them in order to be successful. Rather than try to call out all of the presenters, Wayne Bennett- SVP ECRM & RangeMe- joins us on this event recap episode. Below are brief bullets highlighting some of the major themes covered. Listen to the entire episode on Spotify or Apple podcasts. Time well spent for emerging brand founders and leaders! Plus- give us a follow on LinkedIn. Learn more at www.road2retail.com.Please follow the Road 2 Retail podcast: Apple podcasts-https://lnkd.in/gs3BfXbdSpotify- https://lnkd.in/ewWcnYpY YouTube channel- https://www.youtube.com/@road2retail327. Key Themes from the 2025 Founder's Innovation Day: - The importance of being both Retail Ready AND Supply Chain Ready- Retailers and investors get behind products- not ideas. Are you viable as a brand? Do you have data? Do you understand your target consumer?- A panel of founders discussed why it is best to start small and local so you can keep your hands on everything as you start out. They also discussed the real risk of expanding too fast too soon- An overview of what to look for in a co-manufacturing supplier. The key questions to ask and capabilities to look for as the selection of a co-manufacturer can make or break your business. Choose wisely!- Think through all aspects of your packaging. The design, the physical structure, your shipper configuration. Much more. An impactful design will close sales for you in that critical last three feet of the consumer's decision making process- All of the retailers talked about building bridges beyond your buyer within each retailer you are working with. Be open to feedback. Be very transparent with all communication. Bad news needs to travel faster than good news- discuss the issue, what you are doing to fix it, and when it will be fixed. Don't hope your retailer won't notice- they will.Thanks to our sponsors:Eagle Labs- https://wwweaglelabsinc.comRetail & Response-https://www.retailand response.comEpisode linkshttps://www.rangeme.comhttps://www.ecrm.marketgate.comEnjoy the show! You can also follow us on LinkedIn. Please share the show with a colleague and leave us a review. Learn more at www.road2retail.com. Want to be on the show? DM us on LinkedIn!