Road 2 Retail

Hosted by Tracey Priest & Bruce Montgomery

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Episodes

158

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Jun 2026

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About the show

The Road 2 Retail has been developed to help emerging and challenger brands best determine when and how to go about securing distribution in food, drug, mass, club and dollar brick and mortar classes of trade. Our insight is based upon years of experience, interviews with buyers at a dozen large retailers, and ongoing discussions with manufacturers and suppliers that support brands. After years of leading and managing these business building initiatives for companies we worked for directly, we now help emerging brands navigate this important, yet complex, process.

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60 recent

June 16, 202636 min

Episode #161 The Future of Commerce 2030+ GROCERY recap

Episode # 161. The Road 2 Retail attended 'The Future of Commerce 2020+ GROCERY" meeting event held last week at The Gaylord Hotel in Nashville. This excellent event covered a diverse set of topics preparing retailers, brands, and service providers for what the future may very well look like in a very few short years. Change is coming... and it's already here! Well done by The Emerson Group, Haleon, Retailmediaiq, WSL, and oolie. Details on how to follow the Road 2 Retail podcast are below. Plus- give us a follow-on LinkedIn. Learn more at www.road2retail.com. Listen to the episode to get the full flavor of this excellent event. A sample of the topics covered include: - Scott Galloway gives us a look into current events and trends he sees impacting us in the near future. GLP-1's and Space were key discussion points.- Ways both consumers and retailers are recognizing that 'food is medicine'- Carrie Underwood discusses women's health and how she and her team are positioning the HiNote brand- Ex Navy SEAL Jocko Willink shared his views on SEAL leadership and how these characteristics can be applied in the business world. His brand, Jocko Fuel, is rolling!- What the grocery shopper of the future will expect and how brands and retailers can prepare- The multifaceted power of TikTok!- Hear how The Store is impacting the Nashville community to relieve some pressure from families fearing food insecurityFollow the Road 2 Retail podcast on the following platforms:Apple podcasts-https://lnkd.in/gs3BfXbd Spotify- https://lnkd.in/ewWcnYpY YouTube channel- https://lnkd.in/gH2Dk_q6.Thanks to our sponsors: The Emerson Group- A trusted CPG partner and omni channel expert to brands https://www.emersongroup.comEnjoy the show! Please share the Road 2 Retail with a colleague and leave us a review. Learn more at www.road2retail.com. Want to be on the show? DM us on LinkedIn!

June 11, 202643 min

Episode # 160 Sudu Gupta- CEO & Founder at Mirchi Labs

Episode # 160: On today's show the Road 2 Retail team speaks with Sudu Gupta, the CEO & Founder of Mirchi Labs. Sudu shares the struggles small and emerging brands have in the product set-up process at retailers and the details required to be successful. Please follow the Road 2 Retail podcast (details below). Plus- give us a follow-on LinkedIn. Learn more at www.road2retail.com.Among the topics covered today include: - The struggle is real to get items set up at retailers in the US- The information a brand needs in advance of the set-up process-- Timing is everything- -Pricing is critical to a brand’s success- understand every line item in the P&L- The role of AI in catalogue operations- Advice for small and emerging brands just starting out- A fan of the Amazon brandFollow the Road 2 Retail podcast on the following platforms:Apple podcasts-https://lnkd.in/gs3BfXbd Spotify- https://lnkd.in/ewWcnYpY YouTube channel- https://lnkd.in/gH2Dk_q6.Thanks to our sponsors: The Emerson Group- A trusted CPG partner and omni channel expert to brands https://www.emersongroup.comBig ChalkThe Emerging Brands Launch & Growth Toolkit gives you retailer-ready evidence to answer every buyer’s hardest question before they ask – gaining shelf space through consumer-led insights, not hope.https://bigchalk.co/emerging-brands-launch-growth-toolkit/Mirchi Labs web site- https://www.mirchilabs.comEnjoy the show! Please share the Road 2 Retail with a colleague and leave us a review. Want to be on the show? DM us on LinkedIn!

June 2, 202653 min

Episode # 159 Colleen Kavanagh- Founder CEO at Zego & Civic

Episode # 159: On today's show the Road 2 Retail team speaks with Colleen Kavanagh, the CEO and founder of Zego Foods and Civic Montana. Colleen shares her insights and learnings on her journey to provide healthy food to consumers and the importance of consumer facing purity verification. Please follow the Road 2 Retail podcast (details below). Plus- give us a follow-on LinkedIn. Learn more at www.road2retail.com.Among the topics covered today include: - The benefits of having your own brand and being an ingredient supplier- The importance of consumer facing purity verification- Using AI to grow the Zego Foods brand- Her decision process when entering brick and mortar retail- Vehicles the Zego brand uses to drive trial and awareness- What does raising money look like?- A huge SF Giants fan and admirer of Maggie RogersFollow the Road 2 Retail podcast on the following platforms:Apple podcasts-https://lnkd.in/gs3BfXbd Spotify- https://lnkd.in/ewWcnYpY YouTube channel- https://lnkd.in/gH2Dk_q6.Thanks to our sponsors: The Emerson Group- A trusted CPG partner and omni channel expert to brands https://www.emersongroup.comRetail and Response- a media companyhttps://www.retail and response.comZego web site- https//www.zegofoods.comEnjoy the show! Please share the Road 2 Retail with a colleague and leave us a review. Want to be on the show? DM us on LinkedIn!

May 26, 202651 min

Episode # 158 Interview with Mark Young- CEO at Jekyll & Hyde Labs

Episode #158: On today's show the Road 2 Retail team speaks with Mark Young, the CEO of Jekyll & Hyde Labs and the author of the “27 Unbreakable Rules- Build a 100+ MM. Brick & Mortar CPG Brand”. Mark offers a wealth of insight and experience to emerging brands. Details on how to follow the Road 2 Retail podcast are below. Plus- give us a follow-on LinkedIn. Learn more at www.road2retail.com.Among the topics covered today include: - The importance of creating a brand that founders believe in- if you don’t believe in your brand no one else will.- A brand must meet a consumer need not just yours as a founder.- What do emerging and challenger brands must get right out of the gate?- Why is pricing so important as a brand enters retail?- How should brands think about expansion- more retailers? More SKUs?- An F1 McLaren fan with a dose of Black SabbathFollow the Road 2 Retail podcast on the following platforms:Apple podcasts-https://lnkd.in/gs3BfXbd Spotify- https://lnkd.in/ewWcnYpY YouTube channel- https://lnkd.in/gH2Dk_q6.Thanks to our sponsors:Market Performance Group- A leading omni channel commerce agencyhttps://marketperformancegroup.comEagle Labs- A manufacturer of consumer healthcare productshttps://wwweaglelabsinc.comFor our Road 2 Retail Listeners Mark is offering his book 27 Unbreakable Rules- Build a 110+ MM brick-and-mortar brand. Click on the link below for your copy.info@jandhlabs.comJekyll & Hyde web site-Home | Jekyll + Hyde LabsEnjoy the show! Please share the Road 2 Retail with a colleague and leave us a review. Want to be on the show? DM us on LinkedIn!

May 19, 202647 min

Episode # 157 Courtney Law-Head of Creator Partnerships at Boldify

Episode #.157 Today the Road 2 Retail team spends time with Courtney Law- Head of Creator Partnerships at Boldify. Hear how Boldify is driving awareness and demand differently across the Amazon and Tik Tok Shop platforms for their unique hair care brand. Details on how to follow the show are below. Plus- give us a follow on LinkedIn. Learn more at www.road2retail.com. Discussion points with Courtney today include: - How Boldify is different from other products for thinning hair- The different approaches Boldify utilizes on the Amazon and Tik Tok Shop platforms to build their business- Their approach to recruiting and managing affiliates on Tik Tok Shop- Courtney demystifies how affiliates are compensated (spoiler: many ways to address!)- How Boldify successfully manages its business across sales channels while avoiding pricing conflicts- Abandoned the Red Sox for the Yankees!Follow the Road 2 Retail podcast on the following platforms:Apple podcasts-https://lnkd.in/gs3BfXbd Spotify- https://lnkd.in/ewWcnYpY YouTube channel- https://lnkd.in/gH2Dk_q6.Thanks to our sponsor: The Emerson Group- A trusted CPG partner and omni channel expert to brands https://theemersongroup.comBig Chalk is a marketing analytics and outsourcing company that partners with leading consumer brands and retailers to tackle their business challenges and capture their greatest opportunities.https://www.bigchalk.coEnjoy the show! Please share the Road 2 Retail with a colleague and leave us a review. Learn more at www.road2retail.com. Want to be on the show? DM us on LinkedIn!

May 12, 202639 min

Episode # 156 Caroline Grace- Ceo & Founder Product & Prosper

Episode # 156On today's show the Road 2 Retail team speaks with Caroline Grace, founder and CEO at Product & Prosper. Product & Prosper helps small and emerging brands with brand strategy, product feedback, and sales development on the wholesale platform Faire. Details on how to follow the Road 2 Retail podcast are below. Plus- give us a follow-on LinkedIn. Learn more at www.road2retail.com.Among the topics covered with Caroline Grace today include: - Why a brand must have vision and a purpose to succeed- What is the 10 P’s methodology used by Product & Prosper?- What an emerging brand must get right at launch?- What mistakes do emerging brands make most frequently?- The best advice Caroline would give to a brand just starting out- Greatest career influences: Grace Beverley, Donald MillerFollow the Road 2 Retail podcast on the following platforms:Apple podcasts-https://lnkd.in/gs3BfXbd Spotify- https://lnkd.in/ewWcnYpY YouTube channel- https://lnkd.in/gH2Dk_q6.Thanks to our sponsor: The Emerson Group- A trusted CPG partner and omni channel expert to brands https://theemersongroup.comThanks to our sponsor- Floret, a deduction management platformwww://https:tryfloret.comEnjoy the show! Please share the Road 2 Retail with a colleague and leave us a review. Want to be on the show? DM us on LinkedIn!

May 5, 202647 min

Episode # 155 Mary Kate Kloeblen- Partner & Co-founder at Golden Thread Operations

Episode #:155 On today's show the Road 2 Retail team speaks with Mary Kate Kloeblen, managing partner and co-founder at Golden Thread Operations. Golden Thread Operations is an outsourced logistics provider and consultant to small, emerging and challenger brands. Details on how to follow the Road 2 Retail podcast are below. Plus- give us a follow-on LinkedIn. Learn more at www.road2retail.com.Among the topics discussed with Mary Kate today include: - When does a brand need to start thinking about hiring an outsourced logistics provider?- Examples of mistakes emerging brands make regarding logistics- Advice to brands when there are issues with their logistics- bad news needs to travel fast!- What is an OTIF score and why does it matter?- What to look for in a logistics provider & how are they compensated?- A fan of Fleetwood Mac & Stevie NicksFollow the Road 2 Retail podcast on the following platforms:Apple podcasts-https://lnkd.in/gs3BfXbd Spotify- https://lnkd.in/ewWcnYpY YouTube channel- https://lnkd.in/gH2Dk_q6.Thanks to our sponsor- Floret, a deduction management platformwww://https:tryfloret.comEnjoy the show! Please share the Road 2 Retail with a colleague and leave us a review. Want to be on the show? DM us on LinkedIn!

April 28, 202621 min

Episode # 154 NACDS Recap

Episode # 154. Today the Road 2 Retail team recaps the recently completed NACDS Annual meeting. The event took place April 18-21 at The Breakers resort in Palm Beach, FL. Details on how to follow the Road 2 Retail show are below. Plus- give us a follow-on LinkedIn. Learn more at www.road2retail.com. The National Association of Chain Drugstores (NACDS) held its annual meeting last week. Key issues and observations include: - The meeting kicked off with several major retailer presentations including Walmart, Target, Walgreens, Amazon, Instacart, and L & R Distributors. Key topics included a call for innovation, caution about brands having too many SKUs, a call to maintain focus on serving the end consumer, and the need for brands to have quality data to manage their business in concert with the retailer- A very interesting talk by presidential historian Doris Kearns Goodwin and another by author Salim Ismail. Evening entertainment by Andy Grammer and The Doobie Brothers (still rockin'!)- With the recent Wonderbelly purchase by P&G and Prestige's purchase of several Foundation Consumer Healthcare brands, the industry feels a new wave of business development activity may be emerging. Kimberly-Clark's purchase of Kenvue will likely result in some smaller brands becoming available- Big news was the retirement of NACDS CEO Steve Anderson. Steve had a long, distinguished 20 year run leading the association. Of special note- was the great work he and the board did leading during COVID.- The search for a new CEO is underway. Great internal candidates exist- highlighted by past and current Board chairs and members. Keeping this organization vibrant is critical and for NACDS to keep manufacturers and retailers focused on bringing healthcare solutions to consumers- A thanks to all the sponsors and NACDS personnel for running an excellent and informative meeting- A call out to The Fighting Irish and the New York Knicks!Follow the Road 2 Retail podcast on the following platformsApple podcasts-https://lnkd.in/gs3BfXbd Spotify- https://lnkd.in/ewWcnYpY YouTube channel- https://lnkd.in/gH2Dk_q6.Thanks to our sponsor: The Emerson Group- A trusted CPG partner and omni channel expert to brands https://theemersongroup.comEagle Labs- A manufacturer of consumer healthcare productshttps://wwweaglelabsinc.comEnjoy the show! Please share the Road 2 Retail with a colleague and leave us a review. Learn more at www.road2retail.com. Want to be on the show? DM us on LinkedIn!

April 21, 202656 min

Episode # 153 Sean Ogar- Co-Founder and CEO at Big Chalk Analytics

Episode #.153 Today the Road 2 Retail team meets with Sean Ogar- Co-founder and CEO of Big Chalk Analytics: a leading insights and analytics firm for CPG brands. On today's show, Sean unveils Big Chalk's new offering to help emerging, small, and challenger brands grow. Details on how to follow the show are below. Plus- give us a follow-on LinkedIn. Learn more at www.road2retail.com. Today's discussion points with Sean include: - Sean provides some details around Big Chalk's capabilities and the network they have built of over 1500 people well versed in CPG analytics- The exciting introduction of the Big Chalk 'Emerging Brands Launch & Growth Toolkit'- The toolkit delivers data for emerging brands across four key disciplines: concept testing, package design, pricing, and marketing communications testing- The toolkit delivers this data much faster and at a better price legacy research firms - The Big Chalk output is formatted in slides ready for your retailer presentations and investor meetings.- Included with the toolkit are eight hours of consulting with the Big Chalk team to ensure you and your people are comfortable with the information- A Cubs and who knew there was a #1 fan of Heinz Ketchup?To learn more about the emerging brands tool kit https://www.bigchalk.coe-mail- emergingbrandswin@bigchalk.coFollow the Road 2 Retail podcast on the following platformsApple podcasts-https://lnkd.in/gs3BfXbd Spotify- https://lnkd.in/ewWcnYpY YouTube channel- https://lnkd.in/gH2Dk_q6.Thanks to our sponsor: The Emerson Group- A trusted CPG partner and omni channel expert to brands https://theemersongroup.comEnjoy the show! Please share the Road 2 Retail with a colleague and leave us a review. Learn more at www.road2retail.com. Want to be on the show? DM us on LinkedIn!

April 16, 202650 min

Episode # 152 Mike Wysong-CEO at CARE Pharmacies Inc

Episode # 152. On today's episode of the Road 2 Retail, we spend time with Mike Wysong- CEO of CARE Pharmacies. Mike's position with this unique company provides him with a broad view across the healthcare industry. He shares views on how emerging brands can and do drive innovation. Details on how to follow the show are below. Plus- give us a follow-on LinkedIn. Learn more at www.road2retail.com. Topics covered today include: - A review of Mike's non-traditional collegiate experience at The Virginia Military Institute and what it taught him- CARE Pharmacies' unique role in the healthcare space and the growth they have enjoyed while serving their customers- Why it is important to offer counsel to the next generation of leaders (brands and people) while also learning from them.- How do large established brands remain relevant and how can emerging brands break through?- Always thinking about ways to break down the silos within the healthcare space- how can we all contribute to closing gaps in healthcare?- An artist and a fan of the Green Bay Packers, The Rolling Stones, and Pink Floyd. Note: Management approves of these selections!Follow the Road 2 Retail podcast on the following platformsApple podcasts-https://lnkd.in/gs3BfXbd Spotify- https://lnkd.in/ewWcnYpY YouTube channel- https://lnkd.in/gH2Dk_q6.Thanks to our sponsor: The Emerson Group- A trusted CPG partner and omni channel expert to brands https://www.theemersongroup.comEnjoy the show! Please share the Road 2 Retail with a colleague and leave us a review. Learn more at www.road2retail.com. Want to be on the show? DM us on LinkedIn!