ECRM launches European business unit
In an effort to expand its capabilities to assist European retailers and distributors in discovering new and emerging global brands in food, health and beauty care, and general merchandise, ECRM (Efficient Collaborative Retail Marketing) has launched a new business unit — ECRM Europe — headquartered in Utrecht, The Netherlands, that consists of a team of multilingual sales and account management staff.
ECRM is a globally recognized business process improvement company helping national and regional mass market retailers save time, money and increase efficiency to help achieve business objectives of growing sales, obtaining category growth and improving margin. With ECRM Europe, ECRM is looking to mirror the success of its U.S.-based counterpart, making the product discovery process more efficient through its Efficient Program Planning Sessions (EPPS) — private, pre-scheduled face-to-face meetings between buyers and sellers.
“Innovation and creativity are increasingly being developed by emerging and mid-level suppliers that don’t readily have easy access to European retailers and distributors outside of their own countries,” said ECRM Vice President of International Liz Lantz said in a press release. “ECRM’s European sessions provide these suppliers with greater access to these buyers, and in turn, enable the buyers to find new and unique products that will help differentiate their businesses.”
ECRM said it has been hosting EPPS sessions in Europe for the past several years and already has a successful track record in connecting global suppliers with European buyers. ECRM has engaged Michael Wheeldon, an international business consultant, to help create its European business and develop the ECRM Europe team of sales managers and account managers, each of whom speaks several languages and is familiar with the European retail markets. They are:
Retail sales team
• Linda Bijsterbosch: international retail director ([email protected]); languages: Dutch, English, German and French.
• Mihaela Savu: retail development manager ([email protected]); languages: Romanian, Italian, English.
Supplier sales team
• Una Bolger: international sales manager ([email protected]); languages: English, German, Dutch, Portuguese and French.
• Julio Sismanoglu: international sales manager ([email protected]); languages: English, Portuguese, Spanish and French
Following is the full schedule of sessions that will be managed by the ECRM Europe Team:
European Cosmetics, Fragrance and Bath EPPS
Feb. 4-7 at the Marriott Budapest (Budapest, Hungary)
Manufacturers of Color Cosmetics, Accessories, Nails, Fragrance and Bath will present programs to buyers and distributors from Europe.
European Skin, Personal, Hair and Sun Care EPPS
February 4-7 at the Marriott Budapest (Budapest, Hungary)
Manufacturers of Skin Care, Hair Care, Baby, Shaving/Toiletries, Family Planning, Feminine Hygiene, Oral Care, and Sun Care will present programs to buyers and distributors from Europe.
European Premium Beauty Care EPPS
February 5-6 at the Marriott Budapest (Budapest, Hungary)
Manufacturers of Higher End and Niche Cosmetics, Bath, Fragrances, Hair Care, Natural/Organic, and Skin Care categories will present new programs to department stores, prestige buyers and specialty stores from Europe.
European Dry Food, Snack and Confectionery EPPS
March 25-27 at the Hilton Berlin (Berlin, Germany)
Branded and Private Label Dry Food, Confectionery, Snack, Natural and Organic suppliers will present products to global retailers and distributors across all channels.
European Health, Nutrition and Wellness EPPS
Sept. 30-Oct. 2 (location revealed soon)
European Home and Garden EPPS
Sept. 30-Oct. 2 (location revealed soon)