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Export Guide to Key FMCG buyers in MENA

Katarina Babarogic — Wed, 19 Apr 2023 14:43:06 +0000

Export Guide to Key FMCG buyers in the MENA region [Free Download]

The Needl by Wabel team

Published on: April 10, 2023

As a new or already established exporter in the FMCG industry, you probably face the challenge of finding the right partners for your export business. This is especially true if you’re looking to expand into the Middle East/North Africa (MENA) region.

For manufacturers and brands with aspirations for international growth, the Middle East is a promising market with a growing population and rising revenues. Many of the world’s largest companies have a strong presence in this region, yet it’s one of the most complex and competitive markets to enter. This makes it even more difficult for exporters worldwide to identify the right buyers for expanding their business in the MENA region.

To help you overcome this challenge, Wabel has developed a comprehensive guide to key retailers and distributors in MENA. This one-stop resource includes a list of the most popular and active players, such as retailers, importers, and food service companies, who use our Needl platform to source new products all year long.

Featured resource:

Export guide to key FMCG buyers in the MENA region

With a massive and growing market of up to 500 million people, the MENA region has a limitless potential for success. Make the right connections today by discovering the top retailers and distributors in MENA with high demands in food, drinks, household, beauty and personal care categories.

Next step: Reach your retail targets...

PS. This year, Wabel Dubai Summit is taking the food, beverage, beauty and personal care industry by storm! You’ll have an opportunity to connect with top Middle Eastern retail chains and distributors, make valuable connections, and secure deals that will elevate your business. With a massive and growing market of 443 million people in the MENA region, the potential for success is limitless.

So why wait? Let’s get started here!

Export guide to key FMCG buyers in the MENA region

The post Export Guide to Key FMCG buyers in MENA appeared first on needl..

Export Guide to 5 key retail targets in Europe (for each European country)

Katarina Babarogic — Fri, 10 Mar 2023 12:58:27 +0000

Export Guide to 5 Key Retail Targets in Europe [Free Download]

The Needl by Wabel team

Published on: March 10, 2023

As a new or already established exporter in the FMCG industry, you probably face the challenge of finding the right retail partners for your export business. This is especially true if you’re looking to expand into Europe.

With more than 9,000 different retail outlets, Europe is a key destination for the global FMCG industry. Many of the world’s largest companies have a strong presence in this region, yet it’s one of the most complex and competitive markets to enter.

This makes it even more difficult for exporters worldwide to identify the right retail targets for expanding their business to Europe.

To help you overcome this challenge, Wabel has developed a comprehensive guide to key retail targets in Europe, which is a one-stop resource that includes information on some of the most popular and important retail chains in Europe. This guide will point you towards the top 5 retail players in each of the 39 European markets.

In addition, this export guide covers the current scenario and growth prospects of the European countries and helps you identify the countries with the largest industry revenues and population demographics.

Besides, it shows you a non-exhaustive snapshot of a number of smaller but influential players – whether they’re retailers, importers, or food service companies – in each European country who use our Needl platform to source new products.

Featured resource:

Export guide to 5 key retail targets in Europe

Discover the TOP 5 retail players in 39 European markets, as well as other smaller but influential players – retailers, importers and foodservice companies – that you may want to connect with!

Next step: Reach your retail targets...

Needl is the leading European B2B sourcing platform developed by Wabel, and it’s the go-to reference for FMCG buyers and suppliers worldwide. It currently serves over 4,000 active buyers, showcasing over 100,000 private label and brand products in 60+ countries. And because it’s an all-in-one export solution, it saves time and effort in gaining visibility and reaching out to key decision makers globally.

Best of all, you don’t have to do it alone. With Needl, our leading FMCG sourcing platform, you can empower your business to reach new heights. Say goodbye to feeling overwhelmed and hello to unparalleled market knowledge, connections to top buyers worldwide, and the power to respond instantly to real-time inquiries from international buyers. The right opportunities, at the perfect time – that’s Needl by Wabel for you!

Since Covid-19, all retailers have begun using online platforms to connect with and discover new suppliers. As a result, an increasing number of retailers are using Needl to source goods all year round, exploring innovations and suppliers in new areas, while taking into account price and product availability constraints in today’s supply chain landscape.

The Needl platform enables buyers to express their sourcing needs all year long, while providing suppliers with convenient access to the right opportunities at the right time. If you’re looking to export to Europe or other global regions, do not hesitate to reach out to us! We would love to help you make your export venture a successful one.

So why wait? Let’s get started here.

The post Export Guide to 5 key retail targets in Europe (for each European country) appeared first on needl..

Post-Buyer Meeting Tips: How to Make Buyers Say ‘YES’ Faster

Katarina Babarogic — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 14:18:48 +0000

Post-Buyer Meetings Tips: How to Make Buyers Say ‘YES’ Faster

The Needl by Wabel team

Published on: Feb 20, 2023

So, you’ve just attended a Wabel Online Summit and met with some potential and qualified buyers – that’s fantastic news! Congrats on taking this huge step to grow your business!

But, it’s not time to sit back and relax just yet. We all know that first impressions matter. Then again, so do second impressions.

If you matched with a buyer you’re interested in, you’ve got the start of an extremely fruitful connection. Now it’s time to keep that momentum going and focus on how to turn those potential buyers into long-term partners.

In this post, we’re going to go over some easy steps that can help you win over buyers and close the deal faster after your online meeting:

Tip 1: Keep the flame alive
Tip 2: Highlight your killer value proposition
Tip 3: Spice up your game: send samples that will impress buyers
Tip 4: Offer value in every follow up and leave them wanting more
Tip 5: Take your relationship to the next level
Bonus Tip: (Boss moves only!) Crush it with every Needl feature

But first, why is the follow-up so important?

If you want to keep the ball rolling after an online B2B meeting, a follow-up is a must! Not only does it keep the conversation going, but it also shows that you value the buyer’s time and want to build a lasting relationship.

Plus, it’s the perfect opportunity to clarify any doubts, provide more details and set yourself apart from the competition. And let’s face it, who doesn’t want to increase their chances of closing the deal?

Tip 1: Keep the flame alive

You just finished an online meeting with a potential buyer, but don’t pop the champagne just yet. The reality is that they may not make their decision right away. They may need some time to think things over or have other suppliers to consider before making their decision.

This is where it’s essential to keep the lines of communication open and follow their interest. After the meeting, buyers will let you know about their level of interest and the timeline they want to follow up on Needl.

It’s important to consider their time frame when following up, as after a Summit, buyers tend to receive a flurry of emails from all the suppliers they met. Sometimes it’s a good idea to check back in at different times to avoid getting lost in the masses.

Pro-Tip: Buyers are more likely to do business with someone they trust and like. So take the time to get to know them, understand their needs and offer solutions that meet their requirements.

Pro-Tip: Having open message threads with all the buyers who expressed interest in following up with you provides you an opportunity to come back and reignite connections later when the buyer’s needs may have changed from those during the Summit.

Tip 2: Highlight your killer value proposition

This is your time to shine! Ensure the buyer is fully aware of what they’re getting when they decide to work with you.

If the buyer requests it during the meeting, be sure to send them all the information they need, including pricing, packaging options, shipping and logistics, materials, or anything that can help them make an informed decision and show them why your product is THE one!

Pro-Tip: Be open to negotiating terms and pricing to meet the buyer’s needs. If you can collaborate with them to find a mutually beneficial solution, you’re more likely to win them over.

Pro-Tip: Keep your products on Needl up-to-date with photos, descriptions, and sales info. It’s essential that buyers can see what they’re buying! Don’t hesitate to send them additional products if they ask for more information or if their needs evolve over time. They may need more than they initially thought!

Tip 3: Spice up your game: send samples that will impress buyers

If not already done before the online meeting, sending samples can be an effective way to keep buyers engaged, showcase the quality of your products and stand out from the competition.

Buyers want to see, touch, and taste products before making a commitment to a partnership. This gives them an opportunity to try your products firsthand and offer feedback. Make sure to follow up after the buyer receives the samples to get their feedback and discuss any questions or concerns they may have.

Pro-Tip: You can include a brochure or informational packet with your samples that outlines your brand’s values, mission, and history. This will help the buyer understand your brand better and develop a stronger connection with it.

Tip 4: Offer value in every follow up and leave them wanting more

When following up with potential buyers on Needl, it’s essential to make your messages actionable and clear.

Outline what needs to happen next, who is responsible for taking action, and what the expected timeline is for each step. Keeping your messages short and sweet, but also clear about what you want to accomplish, is the key to successful follow-up.

Your ultimate goal is to deliver value and build trust with the prospect. Your conversations should be so valuable that the buyer looks forward to discussing with you (and eventually, working with you!)

You want to show them that you are committed to providing the best service possible and that you’re invested in building a long-term partnership.

Tip 5: Take your relationship to the next level

If you’re going to a trade show in the near future and know that one of your potential buyers will be there, why not set up a face-to-face encounter with them via Needl?

This is an excellent way to keep the momentum going after your online meeting and to build that all-important trust with the buyer.

It’s pretty incredible how many suppliers have shared their success stories about meeting buyers at a Wabel Summit and then running into them again at a trade show. Since they already had a chance to connect once before, this second encounter helped them establish an even stronger relationship and close the deal even faster.

Reconnecting in person not only helps to further establish a stronger relationship but also demonstrates your dedication and willingness to invest time and effort in building a partnership.

Bonus Tip: (Boss moves only!) Crush it with every Needl feature

We’ve developed an easy-to-use sourcing platform to help you access the right business opportunities at the right time, so why not use it to your best advantage?

Needl is a popular choice for FMCG buyers around the world, with over 8,000 active buyers using our platform for their sourcing needs all year round. This means more chances for you to close new contracts and grow your business!

With Needl, you’ll have access to a variety of features that will help you achieve your export goals.

For example, our Business Mapping feature will help you define your export priorities and identify the distribution channels that match your needs and goals. Product Requests and Category Benchmarks will help you respond promptly to specific or broad buyer needs in your category. Furthermore, with our Sourcing Days feature, you can meet one-on-one with buyers throughout the year to discuss their sourcing projects and work together.

So, why not take advantage of these features and give your business an extra boost?

Closing thoughts...

When it comes to winning over buyers after an online B2B meeting, there are a few things you should keep in mind.

It’s all about communicating effectively, showing off your value proposition, staying up-to-date, and building trust. With these easy tips, you’ll be able to turn those potential buyers into long-term customers and grow your business!

If you’re ready to take the first follow-up steps, go ahead and sign in to your Needl account.

And if you’re not a member yet, what are you waiting for? Sign up here and let the opportunities rain down on you!

The post Post-Buyer Meeting Tips: How to Make Buyers Say ‘YES’ Faster appeared first on needl..

How To Successfully Export Your Products Abroad [Free Export Guide]

Lucie Achille — Mon, 30 Jan 2023 14:27:18 +0000

How To Successfully Export Your Products Abroad [Free Export Guide]

The Needl by Wabel team

Published on: Feb 7, 2023

Is your business considering all the potential global markets it could export to?

If expanding your products into a new country isn’t on your radar yet, perhaps it should be.

Exporting is a daunting process, and many exporters – which may include you – are so overwhelmed that they don’t know where to start. This means potentially missing out on huge growth opportunities for your business.

In this article, we uncover 3 key questions that every beginner exporter should ask themselves to optimize their export strategy:

Do I have export potential?
Am I well prepared for export?
How can I reach international buyers?

Featured resource:

Export guide to 5 key retail targets in Europe

Discover the TOP 5 retail players in 39 European markets, as well as other smaller but influential players – retailers, importers and foodservice companies – that you may want to connect with!

Do I have export potential?

You may be wondering why a company that’s already doing well in its home market would consider becoming an exporter and/or exporting to a new country.

To name just a few of the benefits of exporting: better sales, higher profits, reduced vulnerability since you’re not reliant on a single market, new knowledge and experience, as well as global and local competitiveness.

Pro-Tip: Business networking events, such as trade shows or conferences, are excellent places to explore market potential and learn from others’ export experiences.

Assessing your export potential is the first step in deciding whether to export to a new country. An export-ready company has the capacity, resources and management to offer a marketable product at a globally competitive price. Is there a market for your products outside your home country? The answer to this question is critical. There’s no point in continuing if there’s no demand for what you’re trying to sell.

Consider the following factors when evaluating the export potential of your products: Your current consumer profile, possible revisions to your product to make it attractive to international customers, regulations, transportation options, local representation, and production capacity.

Pro-Tip: Many trade organizations can help you prepare for foreign markets, obtain grants, and determine the market potential of your goods.

Am I well prepared for export?

You’ll have a better chance of success in your target market if you plan your export project thoroughly.

Poor (or no) preparation can lead to significant overseas failures and seriously jeopardize your domestic efforts. A solid export plan starts at home. If your business plan is out of date, now is the time to update it or create a new one.

Pro-Tip: Export strategies are essential to long-term success, but you must also be ready to react quickly when new opportunities arise unexpectedly.

Your export strategy should specify your target market(s), export objectives, required resources and expected results, as well as an action and financing plan, market analysis, market entry strategy and market risk factors.

Market research might be the single most critical factor in your worldwide success. Before entering a new market, it’s imperative that you identify your target overseas market as well as the focus of your business. With over 190 countries in the world, you want to target the right ones for your export goals.

To do this, you’ll need to get a comprehensive picture of the political, economic, and cultural aspects that might affect your global operations.

Market research on competitors, distribution channels – e.g. names of stores or number of outlets – but also price positioning compared to similar items already exported is a must.

Pro-Tip: Observe the competition already on the market. If there are no similar products in the area, ask yourself if that’s because you’ve a head start or because it’s not a viable market.

How can I reach international buyers?

Building export networks, finding the right local partners, and identifying key international buyers for your products are all important parts of the export process.

But the big question remains: How do you locate and engage with these essential contacts? Here are some things to keep in mind:

What distribution channels are you targeting?
Who are the top five players, and what is their current lineup?
Where do your items fall inside that scope?
What is your unique selling point? In other words, what differentiates YOUR product from all other similar products on that market?

At this point, you should start by meeting and matching with long-term partners – whether retailers, importers or food service providers – in order to grow together.

Pro-Tip: Trade shows, online forums, and social networks like LinkedIn can serve as good starting points for identifying potential buyers worth targeting.

But sometimes these resources are not enough – in which case you may need a more targeted approach. Identifying and connecting with buyers can be a much more complicated process than you think. You want to make sure you target the right buyers who can meet your export needs.

Pro-Tip (you don’t want to miss this crucial information!): If you’re looking to export to Europe, the following export guide will help you get a glance of key retail targets for 39 European countries, as well as a non-exhaustive list of retailers, importers and foodservice to connect with.

Export guide to key retail targets in Europe

TOP 5 retail players in 39 European markets
Growth prospects of European countries
List of active European buyers to connect with

Closing thoughts...

The idea of growing your business further is exciting, but it can seem overwhelming. We’re here to tell you that expanding into new markets can be a realistic and achievable goal for your business, whether you’re a large company that already exports in large quantities to certain markets or a smaller company with big ambitions.

So why wait? Let’s get started here.

The post How To Successfully Export Your Products Abroad [Free Export Guide] appeared first on needl..