#171 - Buyer Spotlight: Taylor Cathala, Senior Spirits Category Merchant, Whole Foods Market

The Startup CPG Podcast · 19 Nov 2024 · 56m · Episode 95

What this episode covers

Taylor Cathala, Senior Spirits Category Merchant at Whole Foods Market, explains how he selects spirits, mocktails, and RTD cocktails for the retailer, balancing customer demand with strict quality standards and local sourcing priorities. He details the importance of distribution capabilities, state-level regulatory complexities, and the use of the Whole Foods Market Supplier Portal for brand submissions. Cathala highlights how brands can leverage social media engagement, in-store demos, and strong local relevance to stand out, noting that celebrity-endorsed products must demonstrate solid distribution and authentic engagement to succeed.

Mentioned

Companies
Whole Foods Market, Sierra Nevada, Diageo, Suntory, Unfi
Products
Casamigos, Kettle One, Tito's, White Claw, Prime

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