Aaron Skelton

Trevor Sears, President and CEO of Canada Pork, recently participated in a roundtable discussion at the 2024 China International Meat Trade Conference. 🐖🌐 The theme of the roundtable, "Building a New Pattern to Facilitate Meat Trade," provided an excellent platform for industry leaders to exchange insights and explore new opportunities. Trevor Sears presented an overview of the global meat trade from a Canadian perspective, emphasizing the significance of the Chinese market for Canadian pork. This engagement underscores our commitment to strengthening international trade relationships and highlights the vital role of the Chinese market in the growth and success of Canadian pork. #InternationalTrade #CanadaPork #MeatTrade #China #GlobalMarkets #IndustryLeaders #TradeConference

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New CPG Brands - Know Your Retailer Volume Expectations Before You Pay Slotting! There's nothing worse than spending the significant slotting and new intro dollars to get your new brand or SKU into a new chain, only to find out that it is discontinued in the next cycle, no? That's a huge punch to the gut! Well, based on comments from a survey I launched a couple weeks ago, these volume minimums vary by customer & by category. However, there are minimums. If you are leading a CPG brand, your broker (or outsourced sales function) should be providing this information to you and assisting in analyzing & developing the promotional plans to exceed these minimums significantly - that's what you pay commissions dollars for! Your goal should be never losing an SKU until long after it you exceed profitability on your investment - and ideally not even then. One of the basics in building a brand in a highly challenging environment - comments welcome! _______________________________________________________ Schroeder & Associated assists small & midsize brands maximize their trade promotion effectiveness through process, defined roles & responsibilities and analysis. For more information, contact us at www.schroedercpg.com or [email protected]. We'd look forward to assisting you address your opportunities!

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Unintended consequences. Coca-Cola Canada Bottling Limited first made a move to from black labels for Coke Zero to a more subtle red label and then added limited editions and extensions like Spiced and Cherry tht also have labels that are only subtly different from its core Coca Cola Original bottle. In this photo from 7-Eleven Canada there are seven types of Coke products supposed to be on the shelf including at least three Coke Zero facings. The staff had loaded the wrong bottles in the Coke Zero spot and none was visible or shoppqble to me on this visit. My preference was Coke Zero but the saw went to Pepsi Zero that was still distinguishable in its black label. Packaging integrations makes sense but the implications need to be taken right down to the point of sale. Is integration worth causing out-of-stocks at retail?

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From fields to pints: Witness the innovative journey of B.C. family farms, generations deep, as they embrace a modern pivot towards brewing beer. Explore their evolution, blending tradition with contemporary tastes. ~ #FamilyFarms #BeerBrewing #Innovation

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Canada is a key market for many U.S. Organic products. Market share of organic products is increasing in Canada, from 3.1% to 3.4% from 2021 to 2023, according to a new report. The 2024 Ontario Organic Market Report (https://lnkd.in/ewzd5-js), published by the Organic Council of Ontario in partnership with the Canada Organic Trade Association, found that Ontario’s organic food and beverage market is approximately 38% of Canada’s organic grocery sales and is valued at $1.141 billion. Home to 18.9% of Canada’s organic operations, Ontario has over 1,000 primary producers working over 343,828 acres. #Organic #organicproducts #canada #ontario #importexport

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September 1 marks the start of Organic Month with Canada Organic Trade Association! ☕️ The organic industry in Canada is booming, with annual sales exceeding $10 billion and continuing to rise. 📈 Organic coffee is leading this trend, as nearly 40% of Canadian coffee drinkers actively seek out organic options. Furthermore, organic coffee is always free from GMOs, which is important to over 50% of Canadian coffee drinkers who prefer their coffee to be GMO-free. Discover how organic coffee can elevate your business. Read our blog to learn more about the benefits and start offering organic coffee to your customers today. https://bit.ly/3yXlpV9 Source: Canadian Coffee Drinking Trends June 2023 Report #CanterburyCoffee #COTA #Organic #CanadianOrganics #OrganicMonth #OrganicMonth2024 #OrganicCoffee #ChooseCanadaOrganic #Coffee

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📢 Important Update for the Food & Beverage Industry Beginning January 2026, food & beverage CPG products that exceed specific thresholds of saturated fat, sugars, & sodium will be required to display a front-of-pack symbol. 🚨 In a recent study commissioned by Canadian Health Food Association they delved into how Canadian consumers perceive this upcoming label change & identified strategies for brands to mitigate any potential negative perceptions. Key insights include: Consumer Awareness: Understanding how well consumers recognize and interpret the new labels. Brand Impact: Evaluating the potential effects on brand perception and purchasing decisions. Mitigation Strategies: Effective ways for brands to communicate their commitment to health and wellness. This comprehensive report provides actionable insights for industry professionals to navigate these changes effectively. 📊 Members can read the full report here & non-members can review a sample of it. #FoodIndustry #Health #Nutrition #CPG #ConsumerInsights #CHFAReport #BrandStrategy #RegulatoryUpdate Food Export-Midwest & Food Export-Northeast

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PepsiCo, a CPG giant, reformulated the famous brand Doritos to make them non-HFSS (high-fat salt and sugar). They are also in the talks to acquire Siete Family Foods for $1.2 billion. There are many other companies working towards getting in the non-HFSS zone for the changing consumer demand and meet the regulatory requirements. Is your portfolio high on #HFSS? Speak with one of our specialists at ChemBizR, to learn more about the ideal ingredient makeover for your portfolio. Pranay Jajodia Cargill, dsm-firmenich, ADM, IFF, Ingredion Incorporated, Kerry, Tate & Lyle, Tate & Lyle Sugars, FrieslandCampina, FrieslandCampina Ingredients #sugarreduction #salreduction #highfat #nonhfss #fda #foodindustry #foodnutritionandbeverages

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I think it is fair to say that our industry still has a lot of work to do to help consumers realize that better quality almost always represents better value. Especially in cannabis. And, I would add that at least some insight into our customers' needs and wants is at least as important as product knowledge, as we strive to help them along the path to --dare I say it-- cannabis enlightenment. ;-)

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Perhaps a dumb question: Given it’s fairly common for sub-scale Canadian CPG brands to go public on the Canadian stock exchange… Could a sub-scale U.S. CPG brand IPO on the Canadian market? And if so, why don’t more brands doing, say, $25-75M in revenue do this? (considering alternative exit paths have been close to nil since Jan, 2022) Mike Fata - any ideas? #canada #canadianstockexchange

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The convenience food market value in Canada grew at a 7.18% CAGR for the period 2017-2021. More data at: https://lnkd.in/gy8xsTjP More insights: https://lnkd.in/dCgRxUc #Canada #ConvenienceFood #NorthAmerica #Food #MarketResearch #Data #Canada #conveniencefood #soups #broths #readymeals #frozenmeals #foodindustry #marketresearch #analytics #mrx #dataviz #foodindustrynews #markets #fooddata #marketsize #Growth #news #marketresearchreport #CAGR #foodandbeverage #marketstats #Canadiansoupsmarket #Canadasoup #Canadianreadymealsmarket #Canadareadymeals #foodtindustrytrends #foodnews #foodanalytics #market #foodandbeverage #foodbusiness #foodandbeverageindustry #foodandbeverages #foodandbev #foodtrends #globalfood #globalfoodindustry #globalfoodtrends #researchreport #businessanalytics #businessintelligence #businessstrategy #competitiveintelligence #datadrivendecisions

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Why Every Canadian Household Needs FreshTrack Right Now!   Imagine this: you open your fridge, reach for that fresh shrimp you bought last week, and you're hit with a question—Is this still good? We've all been there, debating whether to trust our noses or those vague "best before" dates. Enter FreshTrack, your new kitchen superhero, swooping in to make spoiled seafood a thing of the past!   FreshTrack’s secret? It’s not just any ordinary packaging—it’s a smart, colour-changing, freshness-detecting marvel! These smart colorimetric films are crafted from eco-friendly PolyVinyl Alcohol (PVA) and natural dyes from Arnebia euchroma (yes, we’re talking super plant magic). As your shrimp sits in the fridge, these films work around the clock, changing colours based on freshness. If the shrimp is going bad, FreshTrack lets you know with a simple, visible signal, so you can ditch the sniff test forever.   Let’s face it—food waste is a major buzzkill. Canadians throw away tons of perfectly good seafood yearly simply because we don’t know when it’s spoiled. But with FreshTrack, you’ll keep your shrimp fresher longer and contribute to a more sustainable world. This smart packaging system saves you money and prevents perfectly good seafood from ending up in the trash. FreshTrack doesn’t just protect your food; it protects the planet!   For all the health-conscious Canadians out there, FreshTrack keeps your seafood game on point. Shrimp is a nutritional powerhouse, but when it spoils, it can become a serious health risk. With FreshTrack, you’ll never have to second-guess if what’s on your plate is safe. One glance at the packaging tells you if it’s fresh, giving you peace of mind (and keeping foodborne illness at bay).   And the cherry on top? FreshTrack’s films are biodegradable! You get cutting-edge food tech without compromising on your eco-friendly values. Smart, green, and practical—it’s like FreshTrack was designed specifically for Canadian households.   So, why gamble with your groceries? Add some FreshTrack magic to your kitchen and let this high-tech hero keep your seafood fresher, safer, and smarter. Say goodbye to waste and spoilage, and hello to hassle-free freshness. FreshTrack: changing the way Canadians do seafood, one shrimp at a time! To know more: https://lnkd.in/d_uxS5HU

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It's no surprise that consumers are increasingly looking for functional foods, beverages, and supplements that deliver real, noticeable benefits. However, many consumers have been disappointed by inconsistent (or undetectable) results from these products. At Verb, we empathize with the challenges both brands and consumers face in achieving those 'feel the effect' results from products. But the solution might be simpler than you think: consider switching out that prebiotic for Keystone Postbiotic™!🌟 Keystone Postbiotic™ requires a significantly lower dosage compared to typical prebiotics, offering unparalleled formulation flexibility without sacrificing effectiveness. Plus, it's both heat—and pH-stable, making it ideal for a wide range of products. It's truly a win-win!👏 → Learn more about Keystone Postbiotic™: https://lnkd.in/gVX7NJEs → Request a meeting with our team to discuss adding Keystone Postbiotic™ into your products: https://lnkd.in/gxUZD8nz #Postbiotics #Guthealth #Prebiotics #GutMicrobiome

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Merchandising in the food industry has grown increasingly complex due to changes in demographics, consumer behavior, shopping preferences, nutrition awareness, environmental concerns, technological advancements, and cultural trends. Central to managing these factors is the category manager, backed by a team of sales and category management professionals on the CPG side. These teams often operate independently to obtain genuine consumer insights. A clear retailer strategy, supported by unbiased data from CPG partners, delivers an excellent customer experience by ensuring product availability, optimal placement, in-stock conditions, and inspiring displays throughout the store. These outcomes are driven by the space planning function, whose primary goal is to advance and implement the merchandising strategy. Tools were developed to implement these decisions efficiently from the central office down to the store level. However, limitations in technology tools, stagnation in category management principles, gaps in the development of space planning teams, and the increasing complexity of merchandising have created significant barriers for current space planning operations. These limitations hinder agility, leading to suboptimal product placement and reduced responsiveness to market changes. As a result, retailers struggle to adapt quickly, impacting overall customer satisfaction and sales performance. Addressing these challenges requires innovative solutions and continuous improvement in space planning practices. This is where we believe 345 Global’s platform will be a game changer. It not only overcomes the current limitations posed by myriad of tools but also evolves the industry to a new level. AI-based digital twin technology allow users to interact with rich visualizations of the platform and use data in a new, meaningful way to make efficient decisions. This platform has the capability to manage, maintain, and modify thousands of variations down to the store and category levels, processing them in a fraction of the time and yielding highly productive outcomes. When this platform is integrated with a sound merchandising strategy, it delivers an unparalleled customer experience and improvements in performance across all indicators. We are excited to partner with 345 Global and help retailers, brands, and solution providers improve their performance with these key capabilities. #RetailInnovation #AIinMerchandising #CustomerExperience #345Global #SpacePlanningSolutions Mark Edwards Mark Deuschle Manish Sharma Sri Rajagopalan Parag Shah

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