Reshare
American consumers will spend $157.4 billion over the Internet this year, according to technology market research company Forrester Research. But there's a wrench in the works that could threaten retailers, says Michael F. Ross, director of business development for Minnetonka-based Reshare.
"With more than 8 percent of all purchases occurring online, the Internet represents a vast opportunity for manufacturers," Ross says. "However, two-thirds of them cite channel conflict as the number one reason why they don't sell online."
Channel conflict occurs when manufacturers remove their channel partners by selling their products direct to consumers. Reshare was established to solve that dilemma. The company makes distribution relationship management (DRM) software, and has the only patented channel-management solution that lets manufacturers and brand owners sell online directly to consumers without circumventing valuable channel partners.
Reshare's software-which is effectively working across a wide-range of industries-was developed to help manufacturers sell directly via the Internet. It also provides assurances that the site they're using for an online purchase offers full product lines that are authorized by the manufacturer. Reshare should break the million-dollar revenue barrier in 2007 and, according to Ross, plans to grow to $50 million in revenue within five years.
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Reshare for more information.
Snap
Pea
Convenience
plus quality: It seems like such a simple combination, but it's more elusive
than one might think, especially when it comes to food. Michelle Gobricht, an
experienced entrepreneur, was in search of that combination when her dinner gave
her the inspiration to go ahead with it.
"I picked up a 'take-n'-bake' pizza one night, and I said to my partner, Carie Mathison, 'I wish we could get a decent meal this quickly,'" says Gobrecht, co-founder of Lakeville-based Snap Pea Chef Fresh Meals. That wish led to six months of market research to see if it was a viable idea. "We found out that people like good food but don't always have the time to make good meals."
Snap Pea works with Jeff LaBeau, a certified executive chef, to plan entrées like creamy basil chicken and roasted veggie lasagna, along with a selection of sides, salads, breads, and desserts. After submitting an order by phone or online, the customer receives the full meal, ready to cook at their convenience. With a quality menu, convenient pickup options, and prices not far from those in a good restaurant, the word is spreading about Snap Pea. Its first store opened in June 2007, doubling as a production facility for Snap Pea pickup sites. Instead of bearing all the cost of pickup sites on its own, Snap Pea is offering Twin Cities businesses and retailers the opportunity to share the costs and rewards by hosting on-site Snap Pea pickups.
"Competing in the Minnesota Cup has paid off already," says Gobrecht. "We're already talking to potential funders."
> Visit
Snap Pea for more information.
