| Subject | Date Asked | Expert |
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| Distribution and Retail Mark Up | 10/26/2009 | Eric Hofer |
Q: I am extremely impressed in the many answers you have provided on the beverage industry. We are a ...
A: Jim, Not an easy one to answer in a general way. In On-Premise (restaurants, etc.), pricing is at ...
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| Exclusive distribution agreements | 10/12/2009 | Eric Hofer |
Q: Eric, I'm about to receive a license from my state's liquor control agency to import %26 distribute ...
A: Tom, This is a bit out of my area of expertise. You need both a lawyer and a customs broker. Some ...
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| wine distributors | 10/7/2009 | Eric Hofer |
Q: hos is the wine stored at a wine distributor??
A: Wines are generally stored in temperature controlled conditions to prevent damage. Product is ...
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| Sales and Distribution | 9/28/2009 | Eric Hofer |
Q: I'm new to the bevarage industry and wondered if you could let me know a bit about the roles of ...
A: I can help you to understand the roles of wholesalers and distributors. Ther terms "Agent" and ...
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| How to get inventory | 9/22/2009 | Eric Hofer |
Q: I have started process to become liquor/beer dist. How do I go about getting labels/brand to supply ...
A: Kevin, Usually before starting up, you would have identified suppliers, possible terms and modelled ...
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| Beverage Distribution Back Office Systems | 9/17/2009 | Eric Hofer |
Q: I am working with a US based start-up Beverage Dist. Co. that has asked me to find a low cost off ...
A: Yes I know a bit of what is out there. There are some handheld systems which focus primarily on ...
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| Beer & Wine Distribution | 9/16/2009 | Eric Hofer |
Q: Currently I am not sure if I will start off trying to sell to distributors or wholesale the product ...
A: Joe, Answering your questions in order of appearance... 1. How to go to market depends on many ...
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| opening a beer distributor in alaska | 9/15/2009 | Eric Hofer |
Q: I am from PA also but have been living in Alaska for the past three years. What steps and licenses ...
A: The steps will likely be the same in Alaska as in Pennsylvania. There'll be a state agency that ...
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| World's First Patented Resveratrol Beverage Must Choose Between Distributors | 8/31/2009 | Eric Hofer |
Q: Eric, It's been about a year since we last spoke about anti-ageing water. As the economy, customer ...
A: I agree with you on your fears. The cost to get a "new" concept to market is generally very high ...
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| Career | 8/19/2009 | Eric Hofer |
Q: Where and how can I become a sales person in Columbus ohio area?
A: Jacqueline, I'm in Budapest, Hungary so my knowledge of Columbus, Ohio is probably less than yours. ...
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| Starting a Beverage | 8/16/2009 | Eric Hofer |
Q: I have a good Idea for an organic beverage. I would like every aspect to be green but I do not know ...
A: Catching out a fraudster is tough. It's obviously their business to part you from your money and to ...
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| co packers | 6/28/2009 | Eric Hofer |
Q: I have developed a "hot fill" vegetable sports drink with the aid of a California firm that ...
A: Ralph, I'm sorry, but I'm not in California and cannot help with co-packers there. Suggest trying ...
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| Back-office reporting system for liquor startup | 6/20/2009 | Eric Hofer |
Q: I am currently consulting for a small liquor start-up who has gained a lot of traction in the ...
A: For In-Field staff related to order capture, marketing spend, Sales Development, etc., we're doing ...
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| Sustainability of beverage import business | 5/29/2009 | Eric Hofer |
Q: I am in the planning stage of importing a 750ml/80proof beverage into the US. I understand the ...
A: Dave, apologies. I have an answer and wanted to check with colleagues. This isn't an easy one in ...
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| Major beverage distributors in London, UK | 4/25/2009 | Eric Hofer |
Q: I'm a first year MBA at Thunderbird and I'm doing research study regarding bringing an organic, ...
A: Tea is an interesting beverage in the UK. While I cannot point to specific research, I know from ...
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| Great Drink, Right Time, Next Step? | 4/3/2009 | Eric Hofer |
Q: Greetings Eric, I have a great product, which has amazing health benefits, some even too good to ...
A: Asher, Your question exudes excitement which is great to hear in these times when lots of people ...
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| Oregon Beer to JAPAN | 3/21/2009 | Eric Hofer |
Q: I live in Tokyo Japan, but used to be a resident of Oregon. I'd like to start a small, maybe website ...
A: Mike, These aren't on my list of expertise, while I cannot give you too much in the way of specific ...
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| beer distribution & logistics | 2/3/2009 | Eric Hofer |
Q: CHINA, Europe) and therefore wanted to ask what sources are recommendable to get more information. ...
A: To your follow-ups:- 1) Margin and ratios... I cannot think of how one gets these ratios as a rule ...
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| Liquor Distribution | 2/1/2009 | Eric Hofer |
Q: I have found a product that is currently imported into the U.S. by its manufacturer. This product ...
A: Christopher, Question 1... As far as I understand it, there are laws etc. concerning distribution ...
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| beer distribution & logistics | 1/29/2009 | Eric Hofer |
Q: CHINA, Europe) and therefore wanted to ask what sources are recommendable to get more information. ...
A: From a "high level" vantage a product is sustainable when the costs can be covered by sales, ...
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| beer distribution & logistics | 1/27/2009 | Eric Hofer |
Q: CHINA, Europe) and therefore wanted to ask what sources are recommendable to get more information. ...
A: Constantin, This is a huge question space; and I'm not all-knowing. I wish at times I were such a ...
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| energy drink start up | 11/22/2008 | Eric Hofer |
Q: I'm currently considering an energy drink start up and have seen reference to having enough ...
A: This is a "length of string"eg. there's no "right" answer. You need to do a business plan, ...
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| beverage distribution | 11/18/2008 | Eric Hofer |
Q: I'm not sure if you're able to assist with this. But any suggestion is necessary. We're a small ...
A: Anthony, I'm wondering, how it is that you're a startup in the US with an energy drink that is ...
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| Beer Distributor Question | 11/6/2008 | Eric Hofer |
Q: I am interested in opening a beer distributor in PA. I am also interested in selling other ...
A: Nelson, I'm sitting in central Europe and am more in FMCG - specifically soft drinks, snacks, ...
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| final stages of formulating a juice | 11/3/2008 | Eric Hofer |
Q: I have written you in the past and have just a couple of questions to finalize my testing. I ...
A: Rich, These are questions outside my area of expertise (I'm more in Logistics, Back Office Systems ...
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| Beverage Startup Biz Plan | 10/29/2008 | Eric Hofer |
Q: Do you have a sample you might be willing to share? I'm looking for at least a good example of a ...
A: Peter, Sorry; it's never been my specialization and while I've had COGs and PVC (Product Variable ...
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| starting a beverage | 10/24/2008 | Eric Hofer |
Q: I have been doing a lot of research (I may have asked you a number of questions already) about ...
A: Saw the 2nd message first and replied on that.... As to this one:- - I think this the way to go ...
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| how much profit on a juice? | 10/24/2008 | Eric Hofer |
Q: Im looking to get a copacker in place for a fruit/vegetable juice. Im having an incredibly hard ...
A: Rich, Have you already done the test, determined the optimal flavour mix, shelf life, etc.? I'm ...
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| equity distribution | 10/12/2008 | Eric Hofer |
Q: We are starting a beverage company and want to enlist distributors. In order to enhance the ...
A: Sharing any sort of equity involves considering several items, e.g. the amount of risk, duration of ...
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| Launching A Product | 9/19/2008 | Eric Hofer |
Q: I have been a beer home-brewer for over 20 years. My recent recipe has won several national awards. ...
A: Lots of good questions! Must a Producer market its own product? You know the adage, "if you ...
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| Launching A Product | 9/19/2008 | Eric Hofer |
Q: I have been a beer home-brewer for over 20 years. My recent recipe has won several national awards. ...
A: Robert, The big question you have is about "capital". Do you have enough to do it yourself, or do ...
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| Custom Bottled Water | 9/10/2008 | Eric Hofer |
Q: What company makes custom shaped water bottles for spring water to be bottled and sold @ retail? ...
A: Don, I think you mean "Evian" (Avian is a bird and does not spell "Naive" backwards); Arrowhead is ...
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| Beverage Distributor | 9/5/2008 | Eric Hofer |
Q: I am just getting into beverage distribution after getting with a small energy drink company in CA ...
A: the Highly Motivated! Sounds like you've done some of the pre-requisite apprenticeship already. ...
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| Beverage Distributor | 9/3/2008 | Eric Hofer |
Q: I am recent college grad and I am looking to venture into my own business. I'm interested in ...
A: Perhaps I'm missing it, I cannot see what's difficult. The MyFlorida site gets you going. ...
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| Starting a beverage manufacturer's agency | 8/4/2008 | Eric Hofer |
Q: Eric, We all appreciate your expertise and willingness to help out. I'm planning to start a ...
A: A "selling" organization would be your best bet... Effectively you'll develop contacts and drive ...
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| New beverage line idea | 7/29/2008 | Eric Hofer |
Q: I have a fantastic beverage line idea that could be the next "vitamin water" in terms of popularity. ...
A: Scott, This is more about how to protect your idea which is a mixture of legal and strategic/game ...
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| Starting a beverage manufacturer's agency | 7/29/2008 | Eric Hofer |
Q: Eric, We all appreciate your expertise and willingness to help out. I'm planning to start a ...
A: I'm unsure what you mean by a "manufacturer's agency". If you are talking about setting up a ...
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| Tea RTD | 7/24/2008 | Eric Hofer |
Q: Eric, what a find to find you here... and what an amazing resource. My question is about launching ...
A: David, If you've had sufficient experience in Packaged Foods, then you're not going to find it a ...
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| Launching New Category of Health & Wellness Alkaline Cosmeceutical Beauty | 6/30/2008 | Eric Hofer |
Q: Eric, www.Anti-AgeingWater.com has interested investors as well as commitments from bottlers. ...
A: Stuart, You're still going to have to put $s into marketing to train your consumers. I'd recommend ...
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| Launching New Category of Health & Wellness Alkaline Cosmeceutical Beauty | 6/16/2008 | Eric Hofer |
Q: Eric, www.Anti-AgeingWater.com has interested investors as well as commitments from bottlers. ...
A: Stuart, I've had a bit of time to think this through. In essence your question is, what ...
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