Get Your Product into LAKEVIEW GROCERY

Mr. Checkout is a network of independent wagon-jobbers and full-line distributors. We distribute product to over 35,000 independent stores around the country and have built relationships with hundreds of retail buyers. We are always seeking the next hot new product. If you have a product, we want to hear from you!

How To Get Into LAKEVIEW GROCERY

The location of Lakeview Grocery is on Harrison Ave. The company has a very distinct approach when it comes to managing everyday groceries in the Lakeview neighborhood. Lakeview is a neighborhood of the city of New Orleans, a sub district of the Lakeview District Area. The opening hours of the Lakeview grocery store is from Monday till Sunday as from 7:00 am to 9:00am. Lakeview Grocery started in 2010, following Hurricane Katrina. The store was set to meet all culinary needs that potential customers would like to have and operates at a very reasonable price. They deal in basic grocery staples, and offers a quick, convenient and friendly shopping experience to their clients. With a touch of a retro feel, the store has a wink of nostalgia to stores of the past, while infusing modern touches that will spark the interest of customers and create a longing for more of their products. Along with the grocery shopping experience, Lakeview Grocery also introduces Harrison Cove.

The Lakeview page has weekly ads which customers can choose to view if they so desire. They are varied and extremely innovative, taking advantage of the freshest product and Louisiana seafood. The grocery store also runs a blog that keeps their customers really informed about activities that they would like them to get involved in. Information on sales, upcoming events and so on. The family owned restaurant always strives to present their sales in a really fresh and original manner and so stands as a great recommendation for anyone in that community. The staff is very helpful and really provides great customer service. They have a friendly and accommodating approach with an enticing atmosphere, lovely table setting and scenery.

Lakeview Grocery created an avenue to create a wider and long-lasting shopping experience for their customers. Therefore, Lakeview Grocery offers fresh home-style prepared foods available hot for breakfast, lunch and dinner, accompanied by a full salad, soup and healthy alternative breakfast bar through Harrison Cove. The cove’s Po-boy shop offers sandwiches and burgers, as well as fresh rotisserie chickens and other roasted meat offerings. Lakeview also has a unique design for Lakeview residents the structure includes the indoor/ outdoor, all-weather sitting area where special events such as BBQ’s, Seafood Boils and Fish Fries can be taken.

Lakeview Grocery has different department such as produce, deli/bakery, meat & seafood, grocery, wine & spirits, crafts, domestic items, prepared foods, sushi, catering and PJ’s coffee. Therefore, one can get products into their store especially if the product one has, meets the required standards. Lakeview Grocery really is genuinely concerned about their clients and on a day like Christmas when they lock up, they open up another avenue to people to enjoy them too. Lakeview Grocery helps their customers prepare special delicacies on that day. They open up recipes for their customers including the items needed to prepare the dish, their means of storage, how to make choices, how long they can stay fresh among many other things.

If you have a product, we want to hear from you!

Mr. Checkout is a national association of independent wagon-jobbers and full-line distributors. We distribute product to approximately 35,000 independent stores around the country and are always seeking the next hot new product. If you have a product, we want to hear from you!

How to get your product into Lakeview Grocery

  1. Understand you client: Before you spend a lot of time and money creating a product, you should know if anyone will want to buy it. Learn more about Market Research
  2. Learn if it’s protectable: Know if you can defend your product against cheap copies if it gets knocked off. Learn more about Copyright and Patent your product
  3. Test your product: Make sure that there’s a demand for your product and the customer understands what you are selling when it’s on the shelf and nobody is there to explain it. Learn more about Product Testing
  4. Perfect your pitch: Before you speak to decision makers, know your numbers, know your retailer and know your logistics in and out. Learn more about Pitching Your Product
  5. Don’t do it alone: If you haven’t been successful in retail before, a secret of success is that you can’t do it alone. Having great sales staff, customer support and marketing partners can take you from zero to success faster than if you tried on your own. Learn more about Retail Partnerships

Contact Lakeview Grocery Buyer

Do not trust any “list” of buyers.

Typically retail buyers change either companies or positions every few years. This strategy helps retailers know that their buyers are not taking “kick-backs” and are selecting the very best product for the very best position each time.

Buyers are typically held to a very rigorous standard of sell-through volume that they must hit and because of this they are risk averse. Your job as a supplier or vendor is to convince them that the buyers going into the stores not only know about what you’re selling but are actively seeking the product in the store currently.

  • Step 1

    Contact Lakeview Grocery Buyer

    Sometimes easier said than done, however you must get on Lakeview Grocery’s radar.

    Call the Lakeview Grocery’s corporate phone number and ask for the names of the buyer and assistant buyers in your category.

    Always leave voicemail with whomever the dispatch will connect you.

    Use that information to connect with them on LinkedIn, RangeMe and any other professional social platform.

    Ask your representative at your trade bureau to connect you to the Lakeview Grocery buyers as they will potentially have a better history.

  • Step 2

    Get On Lakeview Grocery’s Radar

    Use advertising, public relations and marketing to make your brand known to Lakeview Grocery’s buyer through 3rd party websites & industry media sources.

    Be everywhere that they look, the key is to position your brand as the obvious choice when Lakeview Grocery is looking to either refill a slot or create a new category.

    Latch on to the news of the day and any trend that will make your product fill that niche whether that be Non-GMO or Vegan Leather for example.

    Investing in your brand can only benefit your opportunities in the future. As being “top of mind” will have a ripple effect when you physically present your product at a Lakeview Grocery buyers meeting or trade show in the future.

    Step 2

  • Step 3

    Use Hard Facts

    Lakeview Grocery buyers typically got to their position by picking “winners” and know how to see through the fluff.

    Focus on the numbers, know your bottom dollar during a negotiation and how fees and chargebacks may cut into your position.

    Know that long term success may outweigh short term sales, however financing large purchase orders from Lakeview Grocery when the net result is negative is not sustainable.

    Understand the playing field and the other brands that are in your space, what they are offering as promotion and pricing and how you can stand out against them.

    By knowing that each buyer at Lakeview Grocery probably knows more than you do, take an active listening approach to sales and understand that no is a perfectly acceptable answer that may have saved you millions of dollars on the backend.

How to Submit a Product to Lakeview Grocery

There are several ways to get a product placed in Lakeview Grocery. However, most entrepreneurs only dream about getting their product distributed to major retailers, few actually do it. We have experienced a significant rise in interest since the show Shark Tank started airing on NBC. Mr. Checkout has had the pleasure of working with a few Shark Tank success stories such as KISStixx and 180 Party Cups which are now currently being distributed around the country to stores like Walmart, Target, Kroger, 7-Eleven and more.

If you envision your product would be a good fit for Lakeview Grocery, we have a few steps to help you get your product on their shelves.

Here are the 6 steps you need to take to have your product placed in Lakeview Grocery.

1. Start with the right questions.) Before you try distributing your product to Lakeview Grocery, you need to ask yourself a few basic questions. Do you need to build demand for your product, or is there already a demand for it? Do you know that Lakeview Grocery would be interested in selling your product? If you can strike a deal with Lakeview Grocery, can you handle the production volume? Do you want to sell directly to Lakeview Grocery, or do you want to license your product to a manufacturer that will handle distribution?

2. Be prepared to profit.) Does your product offer enough of a profit margin for Lakeview Grocery? Can you sell your product at a reasonable enough profit to cover the packaging, shipping, commissions, marketing and wholesale distribution? Check Lakeview Grocery’s guidelines for other fees that you will have to build into the cost of your product in order for you to be able to turn enough of a profit to make the effort worth your while. If you work with a discount retailer, they will try to strip your profits down to zero in order to keep their prices as low as possible.

The typical breakdown of margins are: If a products costs $1 to produce, that product will retail for $4. That product that retails for $4 will wholesale for $2 to distributors and stores that purchase direct. Big box retailers like Lakeview Grocery may offer to pay $1.25 to the manufacturer if the product costs $1 to produce. That is the typical profit margin.

3. Determine if Lakeview Grocery is the right store for your product.) The relationship between you and Lakeview Grocery starts with you browsing their store for competing products. If Lakeview Grocery already has a similar product, it is going to be very difficult to get your product picked up. Spend some time at your local Lakeview Grocery to see what kind of products they are selling, speak to the manager and see if he thinks your product will sell well in their store. Picture in which zone your product would best fit on the shelf and keep in mind that the most precious asset that these big box stores value are their shelf space. Keep this information in mind when you are preparing your presentation to Lakeview Grocery.

If your company is minority or women owned, check Lakeview Grocery’s website and see if they offer specific opportunities for those designations.

4. Pitch your product to Lakeview Grocery.) Decide whether it will be you or a representative to present your product to Lakeview Grocery. Your presentation depends heavily on your strengths as a businessperson as they will most likely ask financial questions and logistics questions.

It’s common for companies to hire a broker to pitch their product to Lakeview Grocery, as it will be more likely that your product will make it to the next stage if the individual pitching your product has industry knowledge or a personal relationship with Lakeview Grocery. The percentage of commission verses, however generally a broker will take around 5% to represent your product to Lakeview Grocery.

We at Mr. Checkout have experience dealing with brokers and know that there are several retail brokers that have poor business practices that can potentially damage your brand. If you are seeking a legitimate Lakeview Grocery broker, please give us a call for a recommendation. It could save you a huge headache and a lot of money.

5. Complete the required Lakeview Grocery paperwork.) Often Lakeview Grocery will have you go through an application process. However, before submitting the paperwork required by Lakeview Grocery, you should contact a buyer at Lakeview Grocery and let them know your intentions. Having a contact inside of the company will potentially move your application more smoothly through the process.

6. Anticipate the need for increased volume.) Having Lakeview Grocery agree to stock your product will most likely mean a significant increase in volume. You should be prepared to ramp up your production and informing your manufacturer of this opportunity.

Having production, logistics and distribution to sync is not only difficult, it requires a significant amount of time invested in customer relations. Also, Lakeview Grocery may have stipulations in the contract that may penalize you for delays in shipping and production. Have an attorney explain all contracts to you if you don’t understand the terms.

If you’re looking to sell your product to Lakeview Grocery, be sure to thoroughly assess the marketplace, carefully prepare for production growth, and take full advantage of resources available to help you grow your business.

Submit Your Product Now

(est. time 3 minutes)