INFRA Blogs

Since its launch in January of 2023, The Buyer’s Desk has continued to grow. This quarter, we released 4 episodes spanning a variety of topics – from funky fermentation to promotional endcap strategies. Joining our hosts Chris and Angela were industry experts, entrepreneurs, and our own INFRA Members. Scroll down to see some of our favorite Buyer’s Desk highlights so far.  

Dignity, Respect, and Fair Trade  

Featuring: Cambridge Naturals, Fairtrade America, Matr Boomie 

As natural food retailers, INFRA Members know that selling ethically sourced products is just as important as the ingredient list. In this episode, learn more about Fairtrade – what it means to be Fairtrade certified, and how you can make a difference through retail. 

I think that we can all agree that treating people fairly should be a baseline for consumption… especially when food is coming from thousands of miles away and you can’t just drive up to the farm stand and meet the farmer, a Fairtrade certification is a really important standard.  — Emily Kanter, Cambridge Naturals

In this episode, learn everything you need to know about strategic merchandising – like how to build an effective endcap display or how to promote products strategically in ways that will excite and captivate shoppers. 

To build your sales you need to build a basket. One category or one commodity isn’t going to move the needle, but if you have a bunch of products within a basket, you begin to see your basket size grow… Talk with your department leads, grocery managers, and dairy managers to figure out what you can put together to create impact for a consumer that walks in the door. — Brian Dey, Four Seasons Produce

Explore the latest trends and insights surrounding everyone’s favorite gut-healthy food process – fermentation! Whether we’re talking kombucha or kimchi, it’s clear that when it comes to natural foods, fermentation is here to stay. 

Featuring: Natural Factors, SPINS 

At INFRA, we’re here to celebrate the many things that make independent retailers special. We'll go into just a few of these strengths – including a commitment to all things local, a passion for excellent service, and constant adaptation. 

Two of my favorite brands, Siete Tortilla Chips and Dave’s Killer Bread didn’t start at Walmart! Those started at an independent operator, at a one-store place, and they’re now in 29,000 retailers. So, you can’t discount an independent operator. It can be that training ground and launching pad where you start to find success. — Simon Cutts, Director of Retail Partners at SPINS

Diversity enhances creativity, provides different perspectives, and ultimately leads to better decision-making. In this episode, we explore how BIPOC-owned brands are making a splash in the food retailer space and what the data says about customer values towards inclusivity.

We have a thriving immigrant population and other immigrant populations coming into the area, so we make sure we’re at the top of culturally traditional foods that different segments of our population want… Any type of unique thing that we can put in our store to say ‘come on in’, we do.    —Earnest Flowers, Earnest Foods