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New A&M Beauty Survey Explores Critical Online Touchpoints and Key Consumer Priorities to Help Boost Online Conversion

Alvarez & Marsal Consumer and Retail Group

Respondents estimated 60% of their makeup and skincare purchases were completed online Marketplaces (e.g., Amazon) were the most frequently shopped channel across makeup, skincare, and fragrance Online beauty purchases are replenishment focused – 57% in makeup, 60% in skincare, and 56% in fragrance Share of discovery and research done online varies greatly across fragrance, makeup, and skincare. The Consumer and Retail Group of global professional services firm Alvarez & Marsal (A&M CRG) today released its third annual Beauty report, Beauty for the Digital Age, which explores when, and at what age, beauty shoppers are going digital along their purchase journey and uncovers research-based findings on the critical elements for brands and retailers looking to boost online conversion. Based on a survey of some 500 beauty consumers, the report explores the online channels that are most frequently shopped, at what point in the customer journey online channels are used most, and what online features are most important to consumers today. The findings continue to confirm that the online beauty channel is especially important for discovery, research, and replenishment purchases, breaking down the discovery and research phases by demographic. “Since consumer needs and wants differ between online and in-store, beauty brands and retailers need to focus on understanding their digital audience and tailor their strategy appropriately,” said study co-author Patricia Hong, Managing Director at Alvarez & Marsal’s Consumer Retail Group. “Retailers should focus on consumers’ priorities to capture and defend online share in an increasingly competitive environment.” The study also found that: Discovery: 57% of makeup and skincare and 42% of fragrance discovery happened online, with 26- to 40-year-old beauty shoppers most likely to view these products online Research: 64% of makeup and skincare and 45% of fragrance research happened online, again with 26- to 40-year-old beauty shoppers showing the greatest propensity for online The top 3 consumer priorities across categories are ratings and reviews, free shipping, and flexible return policies Top beauty websites are meeting most of consumers top priorities such as ratings & reviews, flexible return policy, and ingredient transparency but are falling short on a few key features like free shipping and free product samples “Simple low-cost levers, such as providing ingredient transparency, can result in improved customer conversion,” said Manola Soler, Senior Director at Alvarez & Marsal’s Consumer Retail Group and report co-author. “It’s important for retailers to be nimble in their offerings since consumer priorities can change quickly – the perfect example being BOPIS (Buy Online Pick up In Store), which fluctuated during and after the pandemic.” The report also provides insights into key focus areas for beauty retailers and brands looking to boost their online presence. As detailed in the report, the online experience is critical for discovery, research, and replenishment purchases, but omnichannel investment is still paramount for beauty retailers. Brands should prioritize investments based on the priorities of the customers and the categories they play in. To access the report, Beauty for the Digital Age, at this link: https://alvarezandmarsal-crg.com/insight/beauty-for-the-digital-age/ Study Methodology A&M’s survey was fielded in late 2022, polling some 500 U.S. female beauty consumers through an online panel survey. All participants have purchased makeup, skincare, or fragrance products in the last 12 months. The Alvarez and Marsal Consumer and Retail Group (CRG) is a management consulting firm that tackles the most complex challenges and advances its clients, people, and communities towards their maximum potential. CRG combines the best of A&M’s broader firm's bias toward action and practicality with deep consumer and retail industry experience. CRG partners with businesses across a wide range of categories including Food & Beverage, Beauty & Personal Care, Grocery, Mass Merchandise, and Apparel & Footwear to drive significant performance improvement. Contact Details Alvarez & Marsal Consumer Retail Group David Schneidman dschneidman@alvarezandmarsal.com Company Website https://www.alvarezandmarsal.com/industries/retail/retail

March 08, 2023 10:30 AM Eastern Standard Time

Flawless by Gabrielle Union Announces Grant Initiative For Black, Female-Owned Businesses

Flawless by Gabrielle Union

Flawless by Gabrielle Union, a haircare brand intentionally crafted to celebrate versatile hair types, textures, and styles, today announces its inaugural grant initiative for Black, female-owned businesses. Historically, there has been a significant gap in access to capital, expertise, and opportunities among Black, female entrepreneurs. This International Women’s Day, Flawless by Gabrielle Union is helping bridge this gap by awarding three Black, female entrepreneurs $25,000 each in financial support to help elevate their businesses. “We are so grateful to have a platform to support other Black female entrepreneurs,” said Gabrielle Union, co-founder of Flawless by Gabrielle Union. “For these founders, the barrier to entry is often unreachable, and we are proud to be a supporting anchor in their climb to success.” “We want to give these individuals the necessary tools to succeed in a saturated space,” said Larry Sims, co-founder of Flawless by Gabrielle Union. “Financial support, along with one on one mentorship sessions with some of our incredible partners, aims to give recipients the opportunity to feel seen, supported, and uplifted.” To be considered, founders must submit a one-minute video and a brand deck to an expert panel of judges, who will then review each submission. The judges are as follows: P. Bagels-Minor, Founder of DVRGNT Ventures * Antoine Gregory, Founder of Black Fashion Fair Third judge to be announced *will offer mentorship sessions to winners The application period begins on March 8th and ends on April 19th. Six finalists will be chosen to participate in a virtual pitch event taking place on May 10th and winners will be announced on May 17th. In order to participate, founders must meet the following criteria: Must be 18+ Company must be based and operated in the United States (open to U.S. residents and U.S.-based brands only) Company must be in one of the following categories: fashion, skincare, and hair accessories Must have an existing company website and social media presence Products are not in distribution at a major retailer Business must be past the ideation phase with a fully developed product or service, with customers or ready for customers To learn more about Flawless by Gabrielle Union, please visit flawlesscurls.com. About Flawless by Gabrielle Union: Co-founded by Gabrielle Union and celebrity hairstylist Larry Sims, Flawless by Gabrielle Union aims to provide product knowledge and style education to everyone with its versatile collection of oils, cleansers, and conditioners for every hair type. Flawless by Gabrielle Union’s texture-specific products are infused with exotic, hydrating ingredients such as Brazilian Bacuri Butter, Rice Oil Complex, and Lilac Leaf Extract, leaving out harmful additives such as sulfates, silicones, and parabens. The Flawless by Gabrielle Union collection aims to help individuals find their custom routine to hydrate, define, repair, and protect. Contact Details Six One Agency Camryn Carlson +1 818-748-7444 camryn@six-one.com Chloe Sonne +1 425-315-3353 chloe@six-one.com Company Website https://flawlesscurls.com/

March 08, 2023 08:03 AM Eastern Standard Time

Fine Hygienic Holding continues to roll out a progressive female-friendly approach with its latest Menopause and Fertility Treatment Policy

Fine Hygienic Holding

Fine Hygienic Holding (FHH), a world-leading wellness group and manufacturer of hygienic paper products and long-term germ protection solutions, has recently recommitted to its ongoing mission to make the workplace environment more inclusive and inviting for all its employees. The company has rolled out additional reforms in terms of its female-friendly policies to ensure everyone operates in a supportive environment. A step towards establishing positive change has been made, as the company is introducing the Fine Flourish Policy, which includes provisions for Menstrual, Menopause, and Fertility Treatment leaves, across all its locations. All female personnel - both full-time and probationary - are eligible to take advantage of the generous Fine Flourish policy. Employees are granted up to 12 days of leave annually in the event of any illness, symptoms, or complications related to menopause, menstruation, or fertility treatment. Moreover, flexible work arrangements can be made to ensure their comfort and convenience. All these provisions can be availed without a medical certificate and are granted separately from vacations or other leave policies. FHH is regarded as a pioneer in the region with its employee-friendly leave policies that offer time to recover both physically and emotionally. Kirsty Koen, FHH CHRO, said, “At Fine Hygienic Holding, we believe that a successful business must always prioritize its people. That’s why one of our core values has always been - if we take care of our people, the business will take care of itself. We are constantly exploring new methods and practices that will help ensure our employees are supported in every aspect, especially during times when they need it the most. Every policy we announce is tailored to embody our values and to provide support, and we will continue to be dedicated to looking after the wellbeing of our people and pave the way for woman employment across the Middle East.” Fine Hygienic Holding has already set the bar high in this field when it previously introduced a series of progressive leaves on top of which is its menstrual leave, which the company launched more than 10 years ago. For mothers to be, FHH provides up to 16 weeks of fully paid maternity leave, which is far more than the recommendations of the International Labour Organization. Furthermore, the company has amended its parental leave policy, allowing three weeks of paid paternity leave, and has also set a benchmark in global and regional companies by introducing a compassionate leave wherein a female employee or the spouse of an employee is granted a paid leave in cases of miscarriages or stillbirths. Fine Hygienic Holding (FHH), one of the world’s leading wellness groups and MENA’s leading manufacturer of hygienic products, serves consumers in more than 80 countries around the world. Originally established as a paper manufacturer, FHH has transformed into a wellness company dedicated to enhancing global health and wellbeing. Committed to becoming “the shining star of the Arab FMCG business world,” the Group focuses on wellness, sustainability, pioneering CSR programs, and state-of-the-art production processes. Fine Hygienic Holding offers a diverse array of award-winning products including sterilized facial tissues, napkins, kitchen towels, toilet paper, baby diapers, adult briefs, jumbo rolls, as well as away-from-home products to accommodate all types of private and public institutions, in addition to its advanced range of personal protective equipment (PPE) and long-lasting germ protection solutions, it also brings Nai natural iced teas and innovative nutritional supplements, Motiva, to the market. Along with multiple awards over the years, particularly for its products and CSR initiatives, the company was recognized as a Top Employer Middle East 2022 by the prestigious Top Employers Institute in every country it operates. Contact Details Rana Kawalit | │ Corporate Communication & PR Director +971 54 531 5575 Rkawalit@finehh.com Company Website https://www.finehh.com/

March 08, 2023 01:40 AM Eastern Standard Time

ToolsGroup Announces Significant Enhancements To SO99+ For Improved Supply Planning

ToolsGroup

ToolsGroup, a global leader in retail and supply chain planning and optimization software, has announced the latest version of its Service Optimizer 99+ (SO99+) software, adding new dynamic planning capabilities and modularization to SO99+ and enhancing existing supply planning functionalities. This is just the latest of the company’s significant strides towards making supply chains a force for good by helping organizations guarantee service, reduce excess stock, and increase profits. With the release of v8.60, ToolsGroup further improves supply chain agility and resilience with expanded capabilities that now deliver: Enhancements to Dynamic Sourcing and Multi Sourcing plans simultaneous replenishment from multiple suppliers, and automatically activate back-up suppliers with shorter lead times based on the probability that primary suppliers will be unable to meet demand. The dynamic sourcing capability automatically smooths inventory targets day after day and ensures target service levels are achieved regardless of supplier constraints. Dynamic Stock Levels provide automatic lead time adjustments that adapt safety stock and cycle stock targets to demand and supply changes, and calculate the projected lost sales in the downstream network. Probabilistic Bill of Materials delivers more comprehensive inventory planning for raw materials, assemblies, subassemblies, parts, and components, while allowing for flexible planning based on the probability of a component being used. Modularization enables engines like Stock-to-Service Curves to be provided as micro-services to other applications in the supply chain ecosystem. “Business leaders today are looking for new ways to improve the resilience and agility of their supply chains. To increase agility, supply chain teams need to be able to make informed decisions faster and optimize and respond at the speed of business,” says ToolsGroup CEO, Inna Kuznetsova. “We call this dynamic planning. I’ve heard supply chain leaders say that you can get bad answers quickly or good answers slowly. Now supply chain teams can have the best answers when they need them, helping our customers better navigate supply uncertainty. This is another step forward in our mission to make supply chains a force for good in supply.” These exciting new capabilities add to the existing dynamic planning innovations in SO99+ which include: Service Driven Planning: A unique technology that creates inventory plans based on service level targets. Multi-Echelon Optimization & Replenishment: An advanced optimization technique that determines the optimal inventory levels across the entire supply chain network, allowing customers to simultaneously decrease inventory across the ecosystem, while increasing service level performance. Stock Mix Optimization: The setting and planning of differentiated and market-oriented service level targets as an optimal compromise between service and inventory. What-If Scenario Planning: The simulation and optimization of inventory and service levels trade-offs and their impact in different design scenarios. Distribution Requirement Tunnelling ™: The time-phased planning of inventory and safety stock parameters and the visualization of performance against those parameters in a replenishment tunnel dashboard. Network Balance: Ensuring the right balance across the distribution network for each item in the Bill of Materials, including optimal staging, fair allocation of source availability, and automatic inter-depot transfers. Supply Constraints: Mapping and modeling of all relevant supply chain constraints like shipping/receiving calendars, supply lots, order frequency, order constraints, and replenishment dates. Optimized Replenishment: Optimization of replenishment planning in challenging supply chain configurations such as multi-sourcing, network lost sales, equivalent products and inventory lot expiration dates. Aggregate Constraints: Planning of purchase and transfers to meet supply and capacity aggregate constraints, optimizing the service level in the network through the use of requirement tunnels. The SO99+ Supply Chain Planning Solution is the market leader in dynamic planning, helping supply chain teams make informed decisions faster. The system can automatically adjust inventory and replenishment based on supply conditions, mitigating the risks caused by supply and demand uncertainty. The solution quickly adapts to changes in demand, market conditions, and supply chain disruptions, and optimizes the flow of goods in order to reduce costly transfers, increase efficiency, and improve supply chain sustainability. SO99+ masks supply chain disruptions and uncertainty from the final customer by ensuring the service level targets are achieved regardless of market conditions. With over 365 customers located in 45 different countries, ToolsGroup provides the power of dynamic planning with SO99+. Intelligent decision making at the speed of business transforms supply chain performance. Customers report a 5-10 percentage point improvement in forecast accuracy and a 3-5 percentage point increase in service levels while simultaneously achieving a 20-30% inventory reduction. Built-in automation cuts the planning workload by up to 90% and helps companies reduce waste by 10-30%. For more information about SO99+, read our blog on the v8.60 release HERE. ToolsGroup’s innovative AI-powered solutions enable retailers, distributors, and manufacturers to navigate through supply chain uncertainty. Our retail and supply chain planning suites empower a new level of fast, intelligent decision making and unlock powerful business improvements in forecast accuracy, service levels, and inventory – delighting customers and achieving financial and ESG KPIs. Stay in touch with ToolsGroup on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, or visit www.toolsgroup.com Contact Details Meir Kahtan +1 917-864-0800 mkahtan@rcn.com Company Website https://www.toolsgroup.com

March 07, 2023 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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INNOVATIVE GIFTING, GAMING AND PARTY SUPPLY COMPANY CÔTIER BRAND TO LAUNCH IN TARGET STORES

Cotier Brand

Imaginative party and lifestyle company, Côtier Brand ’s line of party games, décor, stationery, and gifts is pleased to announce its entrance into Target stores. Beginning in March 2023, Côtier Brand will expand to select Target stores nationwide. Côtier Brand’s uniquely designed party goods have already received over 7,500 five-star reviews, were created to spark meaningful connection, provide ridiculous fun, and lessen the stress that comes with hosting. From March 12, select Target stores will carry four best-selling Côtier Brand SKUs: Did Baby Poopie? – Brown Baby Edition, Did Baby Poopie? – Fair Baby Edition, Who Has The Ring? and Mimosa Bar Kit. Côtier Brand is currently sold on Target.com. Created in 2017, Côtier Brand is a party supply company devoted to creating remarkable moments and celebrations that are truly memorable. In less than five years since its inception, the disruptive party brand has caught the attention of the national big-box retailer due to rapid growth and wide popularity of the products that help consumers throw a bash in a flash. Led and founded by at home party experts and entrepreneurial couple Marx and Amber Succés, Côtier is committed to empowering hosts and hostesses to enjoy their own events, master the art of intentional celebrating, and create unforgettable moments through deeper human connections. Côtier’s themed, no-fuss party products, and conversation starters effortlessly spark laughter and conversation for one-of-a-kind birthdays, graduations, anniversaries, baby showers, weddings and more. In a post-pandemic world, where people are finding their way back to in-person gatherings and celebrations once again, hosts want well-organized party supplies that engage and entertain guests with maximum style and minimal effort. Did Baby Poopie? Brown Baby Edition ($11.99) Côtier Brand’s hilarious and unique scratch off baby shower lottery game will have your guests rolling in laughter once they see how ridiculous it is! Fun and easy for all guests ages 4+, find the winning cards by scratching off the baby diaper with a coin to reveal a smiling poop emoji! Trademarked and copyrighted by Côtier Brand, this no mess version of the classic baby shower game, with gender neutral design and melanin-rich baby illustrations, is perfect for diaper raffles, door prizes, favors, ice breakers and more! You can even take it up a notch and hide lottery tickets under chairs or plates at your event. The ways to play are limitless! High-res image is available here Did Baby Poopie? Fair Baby Edition ($11.99) A quick and tidy version of the classic baby shower game, Did Baby Poopie?, Côtiers Brand’s gender-neutral design matches any party theme and the high-quality semi-gloss cardstock will impress both you and your guests. So, get ready for the compliments to roll in as your baby shower guests are rolling in laughter from this ridiculous scratch-off game!! To begin, simply hand out the lottery cards to guests and tell them to start scratching. Two poopy winners and 28 non-winning cards are included, but to multiply the fun, grab additional packs to use for door busters, icebreakers, diaper raffles, bingo and more! High-res image is available here Who Has the Ring? ($11.99) People LOVE lotteries and people love...well, LOVE! This unique scratch-off lottery game is the perfect combination of these two. Your guests will be giggling and cheering over this witty game! This perfect no assembly sarcastic card game for bridal showers, engagement parties, and bachelorette trips is all about seeing who will scratch and reveal the winning ring emoji and scream "I DO!". But if you scratch and don't reveal a ring, you're greeted by one of five funny witty losing remarks such as "Losing Has A Nice Ring To It." and "Let's Facet, You Lost.” and many more hilarious engagement ring related puns! Each pack comes with a total of 30 cards so this works effortlessly even for large parties." High-res image is available here Mimosa Bar Kit ($24.99) This 97-piece Mimosa Bar Decoration Kit is sure to elevate your next Birthday Brunch, Bridal Shower, or any House Party in minutes! With beautiful watercolor florals and pre-printed gold foil signage details throughout the decoration kit, it creates an impression that you spent way more time curating the look then you did. Allow your guests to gravitate towards your elegantly decorated mimosa bar and enjoy mixing their own mimosas. The kit includes a gold sparkled "But First Mimosas" Banner, Gold Foiled Mimosa Bar Sign, Gold Foiled pop Fizz Clink Accent Sign, 50 Paper Straws, 25 Juice Tags, 12 Topping Tent Cards, a Threading Needle and Gold Strings for the Banner and Drink Tags. High-Res image is available HERE C ô tier Brand is available at Target.com, Côtierbrand.com and select Target Stores. More images are available here. For all Côtier Brand inquiries, please contact First and Last PR: Cotier@firstandlastpr.com Contact Details First and Last PR Carissa Christy +1 201-569-2080 cotier@firstandlastpr.com Company Website https://cotierbrand.com

March 07, 2023 08:05 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Innersense Organic Beauty Launches I Create Definition Styling Foam

Innersense Organic Beauty

Award-winning clean beauty brand Innersense Organic Beauty’s newest addition to their styling collection, I Create Definition Styling Foam defines and sets curls for long lasting style, and is formulated with organic ingredients for healthy, hydrated hair. This clean, lightweight styling foam provides firm hold for style longevity, decreases dry time, and enhances natural texture. I Create Definition features Aloe Vera, a critical ingredient for curls as it is a natural humectant that helps keep hair hydrated, which allows curls to thrive (look their best). Additional ingredients Amaranth Seed and Pequi Oil work together to help fortify and plump strands and infuse nourishing fatty acids to smooth frizz, add shine to fuller, thicker and healthier looking hair. Pequi and Amaranth Seed are great for higher porosity because they smooth down the cuticle to reduce frizz so strands are left with a silky texture. Innersense Organic Beauty is committed to sustainability across product development, sourcing and operations. I Create Definition, the new styling foam product, features a 100% Post Consumer Recycled PET white bottle with a non-aerosol pump that can be easily taken apart for recycling after use. In 2020, Innersense transitioned their line of white bottles to 100% PCR to reduce their virgin plastic usage and encourage packaging circularity. They are also Certified Plastic Neutral and Carbon Neutral, using third party agencies to verify and offset their plastic use and carbon emissions. “As a salon brand, we are always looking for new products to add to our styling range,” says Greg Starkman, CEO and Founder of Innersense Organic Beauty. “I Create Definition was formulated for our curly community, who have been so supportive of our brand and mission. This styling foam allows stylers to get salon level curls at home with less hassle and longer lasting results.” I Create Definition Styling Foam retails for $28 (6 oz) and $12 (2.37 oz). The product comes in a 100% PCR non-aerosol pump bottle and will be available online at innersensebeauty.com, in select salons, and in-store at specialty retailers such as Credo Beauty and The Detox Market. About Innersense Organic Beauty Beauty professionals Greg and Joanne Starkman founded Innersense Organic Beauty to bring clean, pure and toxin free hair care to salons, stylists and consumers. The clean hair care brand’s products include shampoos, conditioners, scalp scrub, styling and treatment products for all hair types. For more information, visit innersensebeauty.com. Contact Details Archita Patel +1 281-725-2121 archita@bpcm.com Company Website https://innersensebeauty.com/

March 06, 2023 12:30 PM Eastern Standard Time

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Minuteman Press Franchise in Naples, FL Shares Growth Strategies, Overcomes Hurricane Ian

Minuteman Press International Inc

David Ogden purchased the Minuteman Press franchise in Naples, Florida, in January 2021. In the two years since the purchase, David has successfully grown the business by expanding high-demand products and services as well as the key acquisition of independent printing business Sunbelt Printing in September 2022. David says, “The resulting sales growth in business after bringing Minuteman Press and Sunbelt Printing together is over 400% year-over-year.” Around the same time as the acquisition and planned relocation to a new 4,100 sq. ft. facility, Hurricane Ian hit Florida on September 28, 2022. David shares, “What an experience. I purchased Sunbelt Printing and found a new building to move into. The movers were scheduled to get us moved on September 28, 2022. It turns out it was the same day Hurricane Ian hit the Naples/Ft. Meyers area. Needless to say, the move was postponed, and all of our original planning was out the window. Finding contractors to get the electricity where we needed it and all the other moving parts involved had to be reorganized and rescheduled.” David continues, “We did it, and it took more time and patience than I expected, but we finally succeeded and are now in our 4,100-square-foot facility. We have grown really fast since the move and the acquisition, so it’s a good thing we were able to overcome Hurricane Ian and complete the move.” Today, Minuteman Press in Naples is located at 771 Airport Rd. N., Units 4 & 5, Naples, FL 34104. Journey from Cairo, Egypt to Naples, FL David Ogden first moved to Naples in 2013. He shares, “I owned a printing company in Cairo, Egypt, while my family and I lived there. When we left in 2013 and moved to Naples, I still owned the printing company in Egypt, and my brother-in-law took over day-to-day management. Today, I own Minuteman Press in Naples as well as two other companies not in the printing industry.” As someone with experience in the printing industry and as a business owner, David explains why he chose to join the Minuteman Press franchise family: “I chose Minuteman for several reasons. First, it was an existing franchise and a ‘fixer-upper.’ I also liked the company's history, the clear and present franchise support, and of course, their capped royalty structure. Finally, I knew from the day I started the training program for new owners with Mike Jutt and Pete Taglino that I had made the right decision and Minuteman Press was the right franchise brand for me.” David continues, “I did my homework before buying Minuteman Press in Naples, and I talked to many existing owners. All of them agreed the support received from Minuteman Press International was outstanding. After purchasing the business and when the paper supply chain issues occurred, it shook me at first. But then I had a great conversation with our Regional VP Larry Trimble, who helped put it in perspective and provided guidance. From that day forward, I have taken the ‘failure is not an option’ approach, and it has worked out great. I have fantastic support from our regional rep Mark Geller, and Larry Trimble. They are part of our team, know my business well, and are part of our success.” 3 Keys to Growing the Business David highlights the following three key ways he has grown the business over the past two years: Providing high-demand products and services, including direct mail. “ We have a large direct mail customer that does 6-10K pieces of first-class mail per day with us. We also have many smaller customers that do various-size mailings and Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) postcards. Mailing is about 20% of our business and a fast growth area, and so we are investing in direct mail even further with new equipment.” Listening to clients and meeting their needs. “I make time to meet and talk to customers at our front desk. I always ask new customers, ‘What other kind of printing do you use?’ About 70% of the time, I discover new potential business. For example, our very large direct mail customer came from asking that one simple question, which added $30K per month in new revenue.” Learning from other owners by attending the Minuteman Press World Expo. “I learned a great deal at the Minuteman Press World Expo last year and took those ideas back to my team. As a result, we have increased a lot of central facility work, which has benefited our business's overall mix. One of the best takeaways from the Expo was the President’s Million-Dollar Owners panel, where successful owners from all across Minuteman Press answer questions from other franchisees. I sat and listened to every one of them talking about buying independent printers and merging them into their own businesses. I decided then and there to go home and buy another printer. Six weeks later, I purchased Sunbelt Printing.” Acquisition of Sunbelt Printing The acquisition of Sunbelt Printing certainly proved to be a huge boost for Minuteman Press in Naples. David shares, “Minuteman Press sends out regular mailings to independent printers asking them if they have a plan to retire or have an exit strategy, and they explain the benefits of selling their business with the help of Minuteman Press International. The owner of Sunbelt Printing was looking to sell and was ready to retire. After many meetings with that owner and weeks of negotiating, I bought Sunbelt Printing and merged that business into my existing business. Both were about equal in revenue per month at the time of the merger, and as I said previously, the resulting growth in business after bringing the two together is over 400% year-over-year.” David continues, “Our regional rep Mark Geller helped coordinate and execute the merger of the two businesses. He also helped us with specialty contractors to get equipment like large cutters moved and re-installed. In addition, Mark regularly helps me train new employees.” What’s next for David Ogden and Minuteman Press in Naples? David answers, “We are excited to keep serving our clients with high quality printing, marketing, and mailing services. I love building relationships with our customers and look forward to continuing to grow together. I’m also in talks with another independent printer about buying their business. We will see where that leads us.” Minuteman Press in Naples is located at 771 Airport Rd. N., Units 4 & 5, Naples, FL 34104. For more information, visit their website: https://minuteman.com/us/locations/fl/naples/ Learn more about #1 rated Minuteman Press franchise opportunities and read Minuteman Press franchise reviews at https://minutemanpressfranchise.com Contact Details Minuteman Press International Chris Biscuiti +1 631-249-1370 cbiscuiti@mpihq.com Company Website https://minutemanpressfranchise.com

March 06, 2023 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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RangeMe Expands Premium Offerings to U.K.-Focused Brands

RangeMe

RangeMe, the leading online platform for product discovery is now offering suppliers interested in doing business with U.K. retailers the opportunity to experience the benefits of its Premium service, which has been helping thousands of brands boost their buyer engagement in the U.S. since 2017. The Premium subscription will provide brands with opportunities for increased visibility and engagement among the more than 1,000 U.K. buyers on the platform from leading retailers, including Asda, Boots, Co-op, LloydsPharmacy, Pets at Home, Tesco and Well Pharmacy. “We’re thrilled to extend the benefits of RangeMe Premium to the U.K. and look forward to expanding them throughout Europe and beyond,” says John van der Valk, CEO of RangeMe Europe. “The ultimate goal is to streamline the product sourcing process for buyers and sellers around the world, and this is a big step in that direction.” RangeMe Premium is an annual subscription plan that unlocks enhanced features for suppliers, including: The opportunity to get RangeMe Verified™, which shows retailers that they are “retail ready”. The ability to submit products directly to retailers. Access to exclusive insights into buyer behavior on RangeMe to identify trends in list price, profit margins, certifications, and frequently used buyer search terms. Profile Insights on buyer activity with their brands and products. Category Review Alerts that let brands know when retailers search for products within their categories. “As a Premium Verified member, buyers immediately know that we are ready to do business, and we have greater visibility to them when they conduct product searches on the platform,” says Julianne Ponan MBE, Founder of UK based brand Creative Nature, a supplier of healthy, allergen-free foods including baking and snacking. “What’s more, we can submit products directly to retailers, and the insights we get on the platform let us know which of our products are receiving the most buyer engagement, which helps us to better prepare when we meet with retailers, particularly at ECRM sessions.” About RangeMe RangeMe is the leading online platform that streamlines new product discovery between suppliers and retailers. The platform empowers retail buyers to efficiently discover innovative and emerging products, while streamlining the inbound product submission process. For product suppliers, RangeMe enables them to grow their retail relationships via a platform that gives them the tools to manage and sell their products, market their brand, and build awareness. There are more than 200,000 brands on the platform and 15,000 buyers. Brands can find more information at www.rangeme.com Contact Details RangeMe Joe Tarnowski joe.tarnowski@rangeme.com Company Website https://www.rangeme.com/

March 06, 2023 07:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

What Do A Birkin Bag and Bottle of Burgundy Have in Common? Spoiler: Market Beating Returns.

Vint

By David Butler In the world of fashion, one bag reigns supreme and leaves celebrities and the ultra rich fighting amongst each other for positioning and the opportunity to own one. The bag is known simply as a “Birkin'', and since its inception in 1984 this bag has experienced a meteoric rise to its current place in the fashion world. Originally sketched on a napkin during a flight from London to Paris, Jane Birkin probably never anticipated that her bags would one day start at prices of $10K USD, and be selling at auction for upwards of $380K. Accounting for inflation, one study that looked at the bags as an investment showed that they appreciated at a rate of 14.2% annually over a 35 year period, besting the S&P 500 which came in at 8.7%. These bags are so coveted, that they’ve become more than just fashion. They’ve become an investment. The same can be said of Burgundy wines. Located in the Eastern part of France, Burgundies have long been known for their complexity, elegance, and depth of flavor. Now, they’re also known for their remarkable prices. The Burgundy 150 Index (used by the London International Vintners Exchange, or Liv-ex, as a way to track performance) has gained a remarkable 105.6% over the last five years (ended January 23rd) compared to 44.4% for the S&P 500 over the same time frame. Like the Birkin is to fashion, the world of wine has a few producers that are so sought after that most of us will never get the chance to taste, let alone see a bottle. The pinnacle of Burgundy is largely considered DRC Romanée-Conti Grand Cru. A prime example of this blue-chip wine's dominance is the 2014 vintage. A single bottle can cost you more than $23,000, while the Liv-ex market value of a case has increased by nearly 63% over a five year period. Other examples include Domaine Armand Rousseau Chambertin Grand Cru, which has gained 223.16% over a five year period, or the 2018 Batard-Montrachet Grand Cru which is up 26.2% over the last 12 months. If a Birkin bag is the pinnacle of handbag investing, many of the top pinot noir from Burgundy are its counterpart. Despite the investment potential, fine wine is an asset class that can seem daunting to investors. Industry know-how is a big factor in making the right wine picks, maximizing gains, and realizing liquidity. Whether it be Hermès bags, a piece of art or wine, investing in the asset class through a professional can be more conducive to long-term results, rather than simply storing a few wines in your basement. Companies like Vint offer a solution. Their platform allows investors to invest in shares of wine through securitized offerings, rather than having to go out and purchase an entire wine collection on your own. Their team researches the market, sources the wines, stores them safely, and finds buyers when the time comes. These are steps that can be very costly. For those without industry experience, it can be difficult to understand the analysis and market dynamics that determine when to buy and sell. That’s why Vint’s in-house team of professionals use proprietary analysis and fundamental research to seek value and returns for their investors. Just don’t ask them about handbags. This article originally appeared on Benzinga here. Founded in 2019, Vint set out to financialize fine wine and spirits and create a new asset class. Vint received SEC qualification in 2021, thereby creating the first fully-transparent, efficient platform for wine, spirits, and futures collection investing. Vint offers expert-curated, thematic collections of fine wine & spirits to institutional, accredited, and non-accredited investors. Since launching, Vint has securitized and offered over $6M worth of assets. Through Q3 2022, Vint has generated returns of 28.3% for asset exits on a net annualized basis since inception. Vint is backed by leading investors Montage Ventures, MS&AD Ventures, Goat Rodeo Capital, Fintech Ventures & Slow Ventures. To learn more about Vint, visit Vint.co. This content contains sponsored advertising content and is for informational purposes only and not intended to be investing advice. All investors should do their own research, due diligence, and make their own decisions when it comes to investing capital in markets. Please read Vint’s disclaimer. Contact Details Brady Weller Brady@vint.co Company Website https://vint.co/

March 02, 2023 09:25 AM Eastern Standard Time

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