The U.S. Market Launch Myths Holding Your Brand Back
1. Why U.S. Launches Often Trip Up
In our most recent YouTube video, Tim Forrest dives into the top missteps he’s seen countless international food brands make when launching in the U.S.—and how you can sidestep them with clarity and confidence.
2. Mistake #1: Treating All U.S. Retail Channels the Same
Tim highlights a crucial oversight: lumping club stores, specialty grocers, and natural channels together. Each has its own SKU requirements, pricing expectations, and retail dynamics. Aligning your launch strategy to the channel—not just the store—is foundational to success.
3. Mistake #2: Underestimating Labeling & Compliance Complexity
Beyond FDA registration, there’s the tangled web of claims, allergen statements, and state-level compliances. Tim emphasizes that early label audits and pre-clearance reviews often prevent major delays or recalls down the line.
4. Mistake #3: Launching Without Market Feedback
Skipping out on pilot launches—even small ones—means you’re launching blind. Tim recommends regional rollouts that deliver real sales data and shopper feedback, which can then be used to tighten operations and messaging.
5. Mistake #4: Overlooking Logistics Nuance
Many brands forget that freight, warehousing, consolidators, and slice-case strategies matter—especially in route-to-retail. Tim reminds brands to model landed cost and palletization early to avoid blind spot costs or pricing erosion.
6. Mistake #5: Lack of Go-to-Market Plan Post-Clearance
Crossing the border is just the start—interviewing, listing, and on-shelf rotation require dedicated execution. Tim underscores the importance of sales calls, in-store demos, and marketing support—even a basic plan drives lift.
How This Complements Our U.S. Entry Guide
Ultimately, this post connects seamlessly with our earlier article, “7 Steps I Use to Guarantee a Seamless U.S. Entry for International Food Brands,” which covers the compliance, customs, and initial logistics framework. This post picks up where that one leaves off—highlighting what actually causes delays during and after launch.
Next Steps: Launch Faster, Smarter
By avoiding these five common mistakes, you can move from planning to on-shelf reality faster—and with greater ROI. If any of these elements feel overwhelming—from SKU planning to label audits, launch pilots to logistics modeling—Tim Forrest can simplify it for you.
📅 Ready to fast-track your U.S. launch with fewer missteps? Schedule an appointment with Tim Forrest at www.timforrestmarkets.com. If you’re working on an innovative food product or growing brand, Tim will help you steer clear of the costly mistakes and get to market stronger and faster.
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