The OPAL Group

📋 FAQs on Inventory Audits & Management: What You Need to Know 📋 How often should inventory be physically counted? What’s the right amount of stock to hold? These are just a couple of the questions we answer in the FAQ section of our website. Regular audits and balanced inventory levels are essential for keeping your FMCG operations running smoothly—learn how to get it right. 🔗 For more valuable insights, visit our FAQ page: https://lnkd.in/eGfMsAyt #InventoryManagement #WarehouseOperations #SupplyChain #Logistics #CPGConsulting #InventoryOptimization #OperationalEfficiency #SupplyChainStrategy #WarehouseManagement #InventoryControl #LogisticsManagement #CPGIndustry #WarehouseEfficiency #SupplyChainExcellence #InventoryAudits #CPG #FMCG #BPO

🔍 EDI errors can be costly, especially for FMCG businesses entering the U.S. market for the first time. Major U.S. retailers expect seamless data exchange, and mistakes can lead to significant penalties. Common issues like non-compliant data and late shipments are avoidable with a strong EDI provider. Don’t let EDI errors hold your business back—ensure your EDI processes are optimized and error-free. Read more about eZCom Software Inc. common EDI errors here: ✔ https://lnkd.in/eiK6mwAg. 🔗 Our OpalTrack™ ERP system comes with full EDI capabilities, allowing you to communicate all order and document types with retailers seamlessly. With OpalTrack™, you can ensure compliance, reduce errors, and keep your operations running smoothly. Visit our website to learn more about how we can support your business in the competitive U.S. market. ➡ www.theopalgroup.com #EDI #CPGIndustry #CPG #FMCG #SupplyChain #ERP #RetailTechnology #BPO #Automation #DataDriven #BusinessProcessOutsourcing #Logistics #TechInnovation #USMarket #OrderProcessing

When entering the U.S. market, operational details can make or break your FMCG launch. From setting up an efficient supply chain to mastering the complexities of order fulfillment, inventory management, and legal compliance, every aspect must be fine-tuned to ensure smooth operations. Equally critical are required activities like trade promotion planning, deduction management, customer setup/vendor setup paperwork, and product pricing. These sales-related tasks are operational in nature and deeply intertwined with your overarching operational strategy. Ensuring alignment between your sales forecasts and operational capabilities drives better decision-making and ultimately leads to market success. With the right systems and processes in place, you can ensure that your operations and sales efforts are fully aligned, meeting the demands of U.S. retailers and consumers while maintaining profitability. ✔ www.theopalgroup.com ✔ #FMCG #Operations #SupplyChain #SalesStrategy #FinancialPlanning #USMarket #OpalGroup #CPG #BusinessStrategy #MarketEntry #Logistics #ERP #InventoryManagement #TradePromotion #CustomerSetup #USBusiness #OperationalExcellence #GlobalExpansion

Stressing Flexibility and Control - Entering the U.S. market doesn't have to mean losing control of your business operations. Selling to an importer often means relinquishing control over how your products are sold and distributed, which can severely limit your reach and influence. ⚠ Challenge - Many market entry strategies, like relying on an importer, can reduce your control and flexibility, making it difficult to ensure your products reach the right markets and customers according to your business strategy. ✅ Client Example - Take, for instance, an overseas manufacturer from the UK that partnered with The Opal Group. Instead of using an importer, they chose to work with Opal to establish a U.S. entity, operations, and sales. Over time, their business thrived and they maintained full control over their operations, and as their growth required, they hired their own employees and built strong retail connections across the U.S. Eventually, this success led to their acquisition by a major conglomerate, all while keeping the reins firmly in their hands. Discover how we can help you maintain control and grow your presence in the U.S. market without compromising on your business strategy. ▶ www.theopalgroup.com #TheOpalGroup #Flexibility #MarketControl #USExpansion #CPG #FMCG #Retail #ConsumerGoods #RetailMarketing #BrandManagement #ProductManagement #SupplyChain #RetailTrends #MarketEntry #RetailInnovation #BusinessGrowth #TradeMarketing #RetailStrategy #GlobalExpansion

Avoid Penalties and Master U.S. Retailer Compliance - - - Navigating the strict compliance standards set by U.S. retailers can be a major task for FMCG brands, particularly those entering the market for the very first time. From labeling to logistics, any failure to meet these requirements can result in penalties that take a big bite into your profits. It's important to understand that each retailer has their own set of rules, vendor setup paperwork, and vendor restrictions/guidelines. These customer exceptions must be followed, documented, and shared across your customer service, supply chain, trade promotion, and accounting teams to ensure customer exceptions are met. Mastering these retailer exceptions is essential for long-term success. Equip your team with the knowledge and tools needed to stay compliant with your customers, keep your products on the shelves, and reduce chargebacks and deductions. About Opal At The Opal Group, we specialize in helping international FMCG brands navigate the complexities of the US market. Our comprehensive back-office services, powered by our proprietary OpalTrack™ ERP system, offer real-time visibility into your operations, ensuring customer compliance and efficiency at every step. With real-time customer contribution statements, trade promotion planning, deduction tracking, and seamless communication, we help you manage your business with precision, reducing costly penalties and ensuring your FMCG products succeed in the US market. www.theopalgroup.com #Opal #CPG #FMCG #RetailStrategy #USMarket #SupplyChain #Logistics #InventoryManagement #ERP #TradePromotion #Compliance #BusinessGrowth #CustomerSuccess #RetailChallenges #ProductLaunch #RetailMarketing #GlobalBusiness

Walmart: Opportunity or Financial Risk for FMCG Brands? Entering Walmart can be a major opportunity for your FMCG product in the U.S., but it comes with significant challenges. Managing countless small orders, adhering to strict performance standards, and warehousing inventory specifically for Walmart can strain resources. Additionally, it’s important to note that MOQs (Minimum Order Quantities) are often not enforceable with Walmart, which means you could be processing numerous small orders, further impacting your logistics and profitability. Success requires more than just a good product—it demands a strong supply chain plan and a capable ERP system. OpalTrack™, developed by The Opal Group specifically for FMCG businesses, offers real-time order tracking, seamless communication, and the ability to audit week-over-week orders, ensuring you can meet Walmart’s rigorous demands. Visit our website to learn more about OpalTrack™ and how Opal can help streamline your order processing for major retailers. Reach out for more details! ✅ https://lnkd.in/ey_9h76z #FMCG #RetailStrategy #Walmart #USMarket #SupplyChain #ERPSystem #Logistics #InventoryManagement #RetailChallenges #BusinessGrowth #CPG #Opal

With the end of summer creeping up, it’s time to start looking ahead to the holiday season. For FMCG businesses exporting to the US, now is the perfect time to ensure your supply chain and sales teams are aligned for what’s to come. Proper sales forecasting is necessary to making sure your production schedules and container shipments are ready to meet the holiday surge. By planning for weather delays, vacations, and increased consumer demand, you can set your business up for a strong finish to the year. Want to learn more about optimizing your supply chain? Visit our website to discover how Opal’s tailored supply chain management services can help you navigate these seasonal challenges and achieve success in the US market. https://lnkd.in/etrhswEt #SupplyChain #FMCG #HolidayPlanning #Logistics #SalesForecasting #SupplyChainManagement #USMarket #CPG #BusinessPlanning #GlobalTrade

Why We Separate Sales and Back Office Operations for Your CPG Success At The Opal Group, we believe in maintaining flexibility and efficiency in our BPO services. By keeping sales professionals separate from our back-office operations, we ensure that each aspect of your business receives the dedicated attention it deserves. Our primary goal in connecting you with the right sales teams is to open doors to major retailers and distributors, ensuring your products reach the shelves where they belong, with trusted partners. The sales teams we collaborate with are diverse in their focus—some specialize in mass merchandisers like Walmart, others build strong distributor relationships, and some concentrate and excel on regional and retail connections. With almost 30 years of industry experience, we have the expertise to connect you with the right broker or sales contact to help your CPG business enter any US market. At Opal, we position ourselves to ensure that our clients have full control over their business decisions. This is why we provide customer contribution statements and profitability reports, offering insights that are essential for optimizing your strategy, even if they sometimes challenge sales groups or brokerage services partners. Our strategic separation of sales and back-office operations allows us to deliver top-line sales and profitability while ensuring you remain in the driver’s seat. Want to learn more about how we can help your CPG business thrive in the US market? Visit our website here to explore our services and discover how we can support your success. https://lnkd.in/etrhswEt #CPG #BusinessEfficiency #SalesSupport #USMarket #RetailStrategy #FMCG #BPO #Startup #InternationalBusiness #Retailers #Distributors

Enhance Your FMCG Operations with OpalTrack and Our ERP Expertise 🏆 Learn how OpalTrack's comprehensive reports can transform your US business operations. Whether you're an overseas manufacturer of fast-moving consumer goods aiming to expand into the US market or already selling and growing in the US, OpalTrack is designed to cater to your unique needs. Our robust ERP solutions are tailored specifically for the FMCG industry, providing the tools you need to streamline operations and drive growth. 📈 Here are some examples of reports OpalTrack offers: 1.) Accounts Payable - Trade Creditors ✔ Aging Report: Stay on top of your payables and manage cash flow efficiently. ✔ Weekly Forecasting: Plan ahead with accurate forecasting and avoid surprises. 2.) Accounts Receivable - Trade Debtors ✔ Remittance Detail: Detailed breakdowns to keep track of payments and manage collections. ✔ Summary by Date Range and Customer: Get a clear overview of your receivables by customer and time period. 3.) Financial ✔ Direct Customer Sales Contribution: Understand the profitability of each customer and make informed decisions. ✔ Standard Cost by Product & Component: Analyze costs at a granular level to optimize pricing and margins. 4.) Freight ✔ Cost Analysis by Order: Keep freight costs in check and ensure cost-effective shipping. ✔ Summary by Customer & Shipping Location: Optimize logistics and improve delivery efficiency. 5.) Inventory ✔ Inventory and Sales by SKU: Monitor stock levels and sales performance by SKU for better inventory management. ✔ Projected Inventory: Forecast inventory needs based on average weekly sales to avoid stockouts. 6.) Sales ✔ Customer Shipments by Date Range and SKU Detail: Gain detailed insights into your customer shipments. ✔ Daily Orders Received: Stay updated with daily order volumes and manage fulfillment effectively. 7.) Trade Spending ✔ Deduction Trending by Fiscal Period: Analyze trade deductions and control spending to maximize ROI. ✔ Unmatched Deductions: Identify and resolve unmatched deductions to ensure accurate financial records. OpalTrack offers these and many more reports to help you navigate the complexities of the US market with ease. Ready to transform your business operations? Learn more about The Opal Group here: www.theopalgroup.com #FMCG #ERP #TradePromotion #TradeSpending #InventoryManagement #FinancialReports #OpalTrack #BusinessGrowth #USMarket #CPG #FoodandBev #CPGAccounting #SupplyChainManagement

Make Sure Your Cosmetics Meet US Compliance Standards for CPG Retail Success Entering and succeeding in the US cosmetics market requires staying on top of regulatory changes. The recent updates to the Cosmetics Portal are essential for CPG manufacturers to ensure compliance and smooth market entry. Why It Matters for CPG Businesses: ✔ Streamlined FDA Registration: Register your cosmetic facilities and products to ensure they meet required US safety standards. ✔ Efficient Product Management: Easily discontinue and relist products, keeping your market records up-to-date in real-time. For more details on using the updated FDA portal features for required registrations and listings, check out the User Guide: ➡ https://lnkd.in/eCunPNPT Stay ahead in the CPG industry with The Opal Group and keep a competitive edge in the ever-changing dynamic US market. #CPG #Cosmetics #CosmeticCompliance #USMarket #TheOpalGroup #RegulatoryCompliance #MarketExpansion #BusinessGrowth #ComplianceUpdates #CosmeticManufacturing #FMCG #FDA #Opal