The new Vitamin Shoppe Launchpad was designed to “introduce emerging brands and innovative products to The Vitamin Shoppe customers,” according to a press release from the company.
Launchpad uses the Rangeme platform and interface, which was designed as a “more efficient ways for buyers and suppliers to meet, share products, and do business,” according to the Rangeme website.
"We strive to bring only the best products to market and pride ourselves on our ability to identify brands that have the potential to become market leaders," said Dave Mock, executive vice president - chief merchandising and marketing officer at The Vitamin Shoppe.
"As a trusted specialty wellness retailer, not only do we strive to bring the most innovative solutions to our customers but also provide guidance, resources, and support that will help empower our vendor partners to create quality supplements customers can trust."
Introducing new brands to the market
It’s not as if introducing new brands to the market is anything new for the retailer. In a statement, it boasted that it was the first retail partner for brands like NeoCell, a collagen specialist (now owned by Clorox); No Cow, a specialist in non-dairy protein; and Garden of Life, which started its journey with The Vitamin Shoppe nearly 20 years ago.
But the Launchpad program incorporates a more streamlined platform on which new brands can pitch their product and receive mentorship and guidance.
A step-by-step guide on Launchpad’s site shows that there are three stages: Innovate, Collaborate, and Incubate.
The first stage, naturally, involves entrepreneurial juices and a product pitch. Once admitted to the program, the brand enters the ‘collaborate’ stage, where the retailer will “support your brand with expertise and infrastructure through our online and in-store distribution channels, putting your products in front of our massive audience.”
Finally, the ‘incubate’ stage involves continued promotion of the product.
The Vitamin Shoppe is currently accepting submissions, which can be accessed HERE.