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Setting Strategy
The NACDS Annual Meeting will give retailers and suppliers an opportunity to discuss strategies, goals and future plans.
9 Min Read
The Phoenician resort in Scottsdale, Ariz. will transform into a strategic hub for retailers and suppliers alike at this year’s NACDS Annual Meeting, which takes place April 22-25. The resort will be equipped with strategic exchange appointment spaces (SEAS) where hundreds of top-end meetings will be in session at any given time, says Jim Whitman, senior vice president, member programs and services with Arlington, Va.-based NACDS (National Association of Chain Drug Stores).
“It’s a very efficient use of time and everyone does more with less,” Whitman adds. “This is a sweet spot because attendees can certainly do a lot over a four-day period. When you bring people together like what we’re doing at the Annual Meeting, it’s about making sure everyone leverages all of the available opportunities they have throughout the time.”
Whitman says the meeting’s April timeframe is ideal for long-term planning since the holiday rush is over and planning has already been done for the spring and summer.
“It’s a good time to be doing your strategic planning three or five years out,” he says. “Running businesses is complex and having people getting together like this on a yearly basis is very effective for companies to make these kinds of decisions.”
Here is a look at some of the companies that will be taking advantage of this year’s NACDS Annual Meeting:
American Greetings
This year’s lineup from Cleveland-based American Greetings will include greeting cards that tout wagging tails, pullable cords and singing chairs, which the company plans to highlight at the meeting.
“The meeting also provides the company with a valuable opportunity to discuss the importance of the greeting card category,” says Tim Tillia, divisional vice president of sales.
American Greetings’ newest innovations include: Happy Tails, cards that feature animals with tails that sway from side to side and are powered by a solar cell; and Spec-tacular Wishes, which can double as a gift with bold, bright lettering designs surrounding a pair of wearable light-up party glasses.
“American Greetings leads the social expressions industry through a deep understanding of consumers; a comprehensive portfolio of brands, content partners and licenses; visionary innovation; and superior productivity that helps consumers of all ages create meaningful connections and helps retailers drive sales,” Tillia says.
Beiersdorf
Some recent innovations Beiersdorf will be featuring this spring are two body moisturizing products that NIVEA launched in the past year. The brand introduced NIVEA Nourishing Body Oil, which contains avocado oil and macadamia oil and can be used on wet or dry skin; and the NIVEA Cocoa Butter Body Cream, which is designed to offer 48 hours of moisturization.
“In 2017, we are continuing our commitment to excellence for consumers,” says a representative from the Wilton, Conn-based company. “We will continue to add innovation on all of our brands and across the category.”
To help consumers more easily and quickly find the products they need on shelves, Beiersdorf’s therapeutic skincare brand Eucerin rolled out new product packaging featuring a Red Cap design. Eucerin also recently relaunched its most advanced formula in the newly named, Advanced Repair Lotion. Another newcomer to the aisle is Daily Hydration Body Cream and Hand Creme with broad spectrum SPF 30—to help protect dry skin from daily UV sun exposure.
Carma Labs
Carma Labs plans to discuss trends that are really taking off in the lip care category, including flavor innovation and sun protection. The company has an expansive and future-based innovation pipeline planned. Trends toward more flavors and a bigger focus on suncare will be a huge part of this year’s discussion.
Officials for the Franklin, Wis.-based company are excited about its first foray into the non-medicated, flavor-enhanced lipcare space with the introduction of its Comfort Care line, says Frank Simone, vice president of sales. The line boasts SPF 15, a growing trend, officials add. The company has also changed its marketing strategy by bringing the task in-house instead of outsourcing.
“We’ve had some good relationships with major retailers and our first goal is to expand on those relationships and make sure we’re rock-solid going forward,” Simone says. “There are a lot of grocery customers coming in and we want to build new relationships with them to really understand what their goals are and what role we can play in the lip balm category. We would also like to use them as a resource as we start working on our innovation plans to make sure we’re going down the right path.”
Edgewell Personal Care
Officials with Shelton, Conn.-based Edgewell Personal Care hope to help retailers boost the shaving category.
“Our goal at NACDS is to have meaningful discussions with our retail partners on how we can increase collaboration to drive mutual benefit,” says Michael Law, senior director, customer strategy and planning. “The category undergoing the most change right now is shaving. Edgewell will share our recommendations with retailers on how to bring a stronger value statement back to the category across branded and store brands solutions to better meet shopper needs.”
Edgewell’s products reach a range of categories, including shave, feminine care, sun care, skin care and infant. Edgewell has products across all blade counts, price points and for branded and private label. Key brands include Schick Hydro, Quattro, Xtreme3, Hydro Silk, Intuition, Edge and Skintimate.
“NACDS is a great forum for Edgewell Personal Care to share our point of view, as a challenger company, on how to uncover growth opportunities,” Law says. “We will be highlighting recent and upcoming innovation as part of our category growth recommendations.”
Hallmark Cards
Hallmark Cards is advancing its portfolio by making significant investments in breakthrough innovations, expanding its Hallmark Signature statement, strengthening its multicultural lines and launching an Asian-inspired line, say officials for the Kansas City, Mo.-based company. Additionally, the company works closely with retailers to tailor the optimal product mix for every individual store.
“Our creative and store environment teams work closely with retailers to develop a variety of merchandising solutions that not only highlight the products, but also enhance the shopping experience for customers,” says Stacey Howe, vice president and general manager of national accounts. “For example, our new Signature cards will shine in an elevated display that brings to life the sophisticated, upscale and handcrafted style of Signature cards that will make shoppers stop and look.”
Hallmark is introducing a line of Mother’s Day cards that feature innovations such as blooming flowers and intricately layered paper crafts. Its premium line, Signature, is launching a collection of Spanish language cards that will feature a handcrafted feel. Hallmark will also be rolling out a line of virtual cards for Father’s Day.
“We deeply value the relationships we have with our retail partners,” Howe says. “Our teams work closely with each retailer to better understand their market. That insight—combined with our unmatched localization tools and rich array of consumer data—helps us determine where our products, including our diversity-inspired products, need to go, and at what price. And we are committed to continuing to advance our industry-leading localization capabilities.”
Nature’s Bounty
With a range of products and innovations, Nature’s Bounty hopes to bring awareness to the health management space.
“We are looking forward to connecting with our retail partners to engage in conversation surrounding the continued consumer trajectory toward proactive health management and the role that supplements play,” says Kristine Urea, vice president, category management and shopper strategy for the Ronkonkoma, N.Y.-based company. “Both vitamins and functional nutrition products have an important role to play in helping people maintain their ideal state of wellness.”
Some of the company’s newest innovations include: Cardio Health, which contains a probiotic strain that helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels already within a normal range while supporting overall cardio health; Nature’s Bounty Optimal Solutions’ Dark Chocolate Probiotic; Sundown Naturals’ Ultra Digest and Multi Daily Immune Support; a number of new products from the free from vitamin line Sundown Naturals, including Ultra Digest and Multi Daily Immune Support; Osteo Bi-Flex Turmeric, which combines the company’s joint health product with turmeric; Pure Protein’s plant-based protein powders made of pea protein isolate and rice protein featuring super greens; and a natural and 100 percent pure essential oils line, which is manufactured in partnership with the non-profit organization 1 % For The Planet.
“We are the leader in nutritional supplements and are excited about the innovative solutions we are bringing to the market to help consumers achieve greater confidence and better outcomes in their wellness journey,” says Urea. “We know our products are an important part of that success plan.”
Piping Rock Health Products
Piping Rock Health Products has a range of new products to discuss. The lineup of innovations includes Aromatherapy Wax Melts available in six different scents (Lavender, Cinnamon, Good Nite, Peppermint, Citrus Zest and Unscented), and two SKUs of Wax Melt Warmers. The Ronkonkoma, N.Y.-based company also has new trending herbal supplements and beauty category items including creams and serums.
“Our goal is to expand distribution and continue to build relationships with our retail partners,” says Kimberly Vigliante, senior vice president of sales and marketing. “We continue to fill the gaps in the health and wellness category with innovative products, and we want to show more retailers that.”
Profoot
Profoot’s main goal at NACDS is to take advantage of the open line of communication between company officials and the various executives in attendance.
“We also enjoy comparing notes with other vendors to see what strategies are working for them,” says Dan Feldman, president of Brooklyn, N.Y.-based Profoot. “It’s nice for everyone to get together in a more relaxed atmosphere to discuss the issues the vendor community faces. It also gives us a chance to speak to retailers in a more informal setting so we can make sure our goals are aligned with our best customers.”
Profoot is especially proud of its ProCure Brand, which is the company’s first move into the first aid space. Feldman says the company’s move into the first aid category and new innovations will be part of the focus of Profoot’s discussions at the meeting.
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