Catching Up on Progress through the Covid Period!
Responding to the Pandemic…With Continued Growth and Innovation!
SUMMER 2020
So covid-19 hits in March right after our last community event and everyone panics…lines form at grocery, distributor flow is disrupted, workforce members stay home and everyone learns quickly what PPP and EIDL loans and grants are and how they were supposed to help everyone sustain. Certainly, brands that focused on B2B or sales to restaurants, bars and food service were immediately impacted the most and we saw very aggressive and active pivots to home delivery, curbside pick-up and expanded emphasis in social media and on-line direct to consumer models. The business plans for 2020 – 2021 that we all had were basically blown to bits and we actively helped brands go to zero-based budgeting and offered assistance on how to control cash burn and still move ahead.
It’s been bumpy, hectic and frustrating, but I am happy to report that most of our brands in the Food’NBev Connect community have survived and are getting used to the new “normal”. We have suggested that for new planning efforts, they should assume that this state will continue through to next summer, and to plan accordingly.
The great news is that some of our brand members have even managed growth during this period and unbelievably, 15 of our 20 brands have been very busy with innovation – bringing new products to market, updating packaging, pursuing new formulations, new distribution approaches and new partnerships. Several even bared all and re-entered or went through initial launch, with two more coming to market for the first time this September. Our brands have really responded and all deserve a huge hug (if we could give them one now!) and applause, too!
