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September 29, 2025 14 mins

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Are you pitching your product to the wrong retailers? In this solo episode of Shelf Talks, host Roberta Townes breaks down one of the most overlooked steps in preparing for retail success: competitive shopping.

If you’re a founder with a product-based business struggling to figure out which retailers are the right fit for your brand, this episode is for you. Roberta shares insider tips on how to:

  • Study the shelf to understand category layout and placement
  • Identify key players, price tiers, and assortment strategies
  • Spot white space and gaps your product can uniquely fill
  • Evaluate packaging, messaging, and formats that win on shelf
  • Analyze promotions and brand support so you know what retailers expect

By the end of this episode, you’ll know exactly how to walk into a store with a strategy—not just a shopping list—so you can confidently pitch the retailers who are the best match for your product and your customer.

If you’ve been asking yourself, “How do I know which retailers are right for my brand?” this episode will give you the clarity you need.

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Reach out if you know of a female founder with an impactful brand and retail story and leave a review if you found value in this episode! Hello@shelftalks.com



Purchase the book Shelf Talk: A step by step guide to launching your product in Retail Stores by Roberta Townes Buy Book

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