ECRM’s Spring Buying Days enables direct wholesale purchases
ECRM's Global Market: Spring Buying Days, taking place March to April 1, is debuting a brand new purchasing option.
The organization shared that retailers in the United States will be able to make wholesale purchases directly from participating suppliers using a new capability launched by RangeMe.
With more than 200,000 suppliers representing nearly one million products across all CPG categories, RangeMe will showcase its expanded service offering during Global Market so participating suppliers in eligible categories can sell their products with no commission fees and offer participating buyers the best deals on their products, the company said.
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“This ordering capability completes the circle of buyer engagement with product discovery, evaluation and purchase combined in one seamless experience,” Greg Farrar, CEO of ECRM said. “It’s the latest evolution in ECRM’s vision of accelerating B2B commerce.”
The service will work during the event by having participating suppliers that are set up for orders be given the opportunity to entice and excite buyers by listing special discounts on their products during the week of the event.
Deals, which will go live on March 28, will be displayed with discounts on RangeMe and can be filtered to meet buyers’ preferences.
[Read More: RangeMe adds direct purchasing to product discovery platform]
Buyers will be able to add items to their carts and make purchases directly via RangeMe, or set up 15-minute meetings on the ECRM Connect platform with suppliers prior to ordering, during or after, the company said.
“Having the capability to purchase directly from suppliers during Global Market: Spring Buying Days is a game-changer,” Tim Young, category marketing manager for Newcomb Oil said. “It will give buyers from regional chains like myself the opportunity to move lightning-fast when we discover a new innovative product or meet with a supplier, and get it on the shelf right away.”
RangeMe’s new service features one-button purchasing, a multi-order, add-to-cart features and easily accessible order details and history. For suppliers, it’s as easy as setting up their storefront, listing products available to purchase and fulfilling orders on top of a full suite of order management tools, the company said.
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“Direct purchasing is a great addition to Global Market,” Santiago Urti, CEO of Green Global Foods said. “By enabling buyers to place wholesale orders on the RangeMe platform, it can drastically shorten the time it takes to get our products on their shelves, particularly with community-based and regional retailers."
ECRM also announced that educational programming for Global Market: Spring Buying Days will feature a keynote from bestselling author and renowned speaker, Alex Banayan.
Retailer and industry expert thought leadership educational sessions will include presentations, panel discussions and Q&As with the following presenters:
- Jane Ewing, senior vice president, sustainability, Walmart;
- Julie Barbar, senior vice president, health and wellness, Walmart;
- Jeff Bobbit, sourcing lead, private brands, Peapod Digital Labs, a division of Ahold Delhaize;
- Jessica Glendenning, general manager, private label, Go Puff;
- Rich Gillmore, senior director of center store, category management, Gelson’s;
- John Shaw, head of supply, Farmstead; and
- Andrea Leigh, founder and CEO, Allume Group.
In addition, there will be three supplier workshops delivering practical insights to drive the business forward focusing on pricing, ecommerce packaging, and how to move your product once it’s on the retail shelf. Workshop presenters include:
- Alli Ball, founder and CEO, Food Biz Wiz;
- Kate LaBrosse, president and CEO, Kate LaBrosse Consulting; and
- Emily Page, CEO, Pearl Resourcing.
Brands participating in the 2022 Global Market: Spring Buying Days will showcase relevant products to buyers from retailers and foodservice operators of all sizes and locations. Branded and private label categories covered will include food, including frozen, dairy, deli, meat, seafood, candy, snacks, and center store; beverages; foodservice; health care; personal care; beauty; wellness; baby; household; housewares and pet.
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Product discovery for buyer participants begins March 7 and will run through March 31. During this time buyers can easily find relevant products within their respective categories on RangeMe, and with the click of a button, book a 15-minute face-to-face virtual meeting based on the supplier's listed availability.
Qualified buyers also can buy products directly from those suppliers that are set up for ordering. Scheduled meetings will take place from March 28 to April 1 on ECRM Connect and run 24 hours a day to accommodate global participants, the company said.