ECRM launches European business unit
Seeking to expand its capabilities to European retailers and distributors in discovering new and emerging global brands in food, HBC and general merchandise, ECRM has launched a business unit that consists of a team of multilingual sales and account management staff.
Company officials said that ECRM Europe, headquartered in Utrecht, the Netherlands, is looking to mirror the success of its United States-based counterpart, making the product discovery process more efficient through its Efficient Program Planning Sessions, or 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. “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 has been hosting several EPPS sessions in Europe for the past several years, and already has a successful track record in connecting global suppliers with European buyers, company officials noted. To best serve its European customers, 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.
Building on the success of 2017, ECRM’s 2018 International sessions will include its existing food and health and beauty sessions, with a couple of new editions in the general merchandise category. Here is a list of events for the ECRM Europe Team:
European Cosmetics, Fragrance and Bath EPPS
February 4-7, 2018 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, 2018 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, 2018 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, 2018 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
September 30- October 2, 2018 (Location to be announced)
European Home and Garden EPPS
September 30-October 2, 2018 (Location to be announced)