How to tackle the big challenges

  By Birgit Blain RECIPE TO RETAIL Series, Strategy

RECIPE TO RETAIL: Part 37… Food businesses are plagued with challenges on a daily basis. The big ones often revolve… LEARN MORE

What drives consumer behaviour?

  By Birgit Blain Branding & Marketing, RECIPE TO RETAIL Series

RECIPE TO RETAIL: Part 36… What compels consumers to buy, or not buy, a product? To unlock the mysteries, I looked into… LEARN MORE

How to Grow Sales with Store Surveys

  By Birgit Blain RECIPE TO RETAIL Series, Strategy

RECIPE TO RETAIL: Part 35 Too often food processors and brand owners are chained to their desks firefighting and buried… LEARN MORE

Digging into Protein: Little known facts

  By Birgit Blain RECIPE TO RETAIL Series

RECIPE TO RETAIL: Part 34… Protein remains high on the list of consumers’ preferred claims. In response, thousands of food… LEARN MORE

9 Unique Finds from CHFA NOW

  By Birgit Blain Innovation, Trade Shows, Trends

Digging into Toronto’s CHFA NOW (Natural-Organic-Wellness) trade show, I waded through a sea of bars, bevies, salty snacks, spreads, sauces… LEARN MORE

Why Food Safety Culture is a No-brainer

  By Birgit Blain Food Safety, Management, RECIPE TO RETAIL Series

RECIPE TO RETAIL: Part 33… No food business leader wants to wake up to the nightmare of a product recall.… LEARN MORE

SIAL:10 ideas to spark your next innovation

  By Birgit Blain Innovation, Product Development, Trade Shows

Over 50 countries from six continents showcased their specialties at SIAL Canada, the international food innovation trade show in Toronto.… LEARN MORE

Why French Matters

  By Birgit Blain Labelling Regulations, Legal Issues, RECIPE TO RETAIL Series

RECIPE TO RETAIL: Part 32… Every day I come across food brands sold in Canada without French on their packaging.… LEARN MORE

What do grocers want from brands?   

  By Birgit Blain RECIPE TO RETAIL Series, Strategy

RECIPE TO RETAIL: Part 31… Competition is fierce among Canada’s food retailers, and they have a long list of priorities… LEARN MORE

Unmasking Innovation at CHFA NOW

  By Birgit Blain Innovation, Trade Shows, Trends

CHFA NOW (Natural, Organic, Wellness) Toronto has evolved to become the leading natural foods trade show, showcasing emerging and national brands… LEARN MORE

Packaging Redesign: Is it a sound investment?

  By Birgit Blain Packaging, RECIPE TO RETAIL Series, Strategy

RECIPE TO RETAIL: Part 30… Are you planning a packaging redesign? Changing the graphic identity may be a worthwhile investment… LEARN MORE

Merchandising Matters

  By Birgit Blain Packaging, RECIPE TO RETAIL Series

RECIPE TO RETAIL: Part 29… For brand owners selling through retail channels, it’s critical to squeeze out time for store… LEARN MORE

Spotlight on Food Trends at CHFA

  By Birgit Blain Innovation, Trade Shows, Trends

Plant-based. Sustainability. Clean ingredients. These enduring food trends were highly visible at the CHFA Connect virtual trade show in September. Here’s… LEARN MORE

Decision: Go Organic or Not?

  By Birgit Blain Branding & Marketing, RECIPE TO RETAIL Series, Strategy

RECIPE TO RETAIL: Part 28… Yes, organic sales are growing, but does organic make sense for your brand? There are many… LEARN MORE

Unique challenges of packaging design

  By Birgit Blain Packaging, RECIPE TO RETAIL Series

RECIPE TO RETAIL: Part 27… When surveying food stores I often see packaging graphic design that misses the mark. Packaging… LEARN MORE