Getting on Canadian Shelves: Working with Retailers and Distributors

Breaking into the Canadian grocery retail market can be a game-changer for brands looking to grow their presence and sales. This webinar is designed to guide SUSTA companies through best practices and insider insights needed to successfully work with Canadian buyers.

What You’ll Learn:

• The difference between retailers, brokers, importers, and distributors – and how to choose the right path for your product
• How to pitch your product effectively to Canadian buyers
• Pricing considerations specific to the Canadian market
• Building relationships with local partners and navigating their expectations
• Common mistakes to avoid when entering the Canadian retail space

Speakers:

• Andre Lepine, President and Founder, Premier Marketing

Andre has over 40 years of experience in the food and consumer packaged goods industry and more than 22 years of experience as a business development consultant and broker in Canada. He previously worked in senior sales positions for Mother Parkers, Kerry Ingredients, Quaker Oats, Pepsi Canada, and McCain Foods, and currently represents dozens of Canadian and US companies as their broker and in-market agent. Andre has participated in numerous US-led trade missions with State Regional Trade Groups and USDA, and he is fluently bilingual in both English and French, with some Spanish. Andre has expertise in sales management, marketing, distribution, retail, food service, convenience, mass merchandise, private label, and international trade.

• Fernando Ramirez, CEO, Space Enterprises, LLC (World of Chia)

Fernando created World of Chia in 2009, aiming to provide innovative and nutritious products by incorporating the natural properties of the chia seed. He is experienced in food manufacturing, new product development, import and export, logistics and distribution, with emphasis in products and technologies that are good for the planet, good for the people, balanced and harmonious. Fernando will speak about his experience exporting to Canada and working with his Canadian partner. 

• Laura Pixley, Senior Director, Agribusiness & International Trade, ChangeMakers. 
  

For over ten years, ChangeMakers (formerly Argyle) has worked with SUSTA to facilitate trade between southern U.S. exporters and Canadian buyers.