Latest news with #HarvestGroup
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Harvest Group Expands Costco Capabilities with Next Step Club Solutions Acquisition
ROGERS, Ark., June 03, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Harvest Group, a leading commerce agency, today announced the acquisition of Next Step Club Solutions, a boutique Costco brokerage firm specializing in club retail expertise. The strategic acquisition expands Harvest Group's capabilities, strengthens its national footprint and expands its relationships with Costco buyers. Founded in 2019 by Steve Freeman, Next Step is a Costco-focused sales and solutions agency that has carved out a niche as a high-touch, results-driven "concierge broker," expertly guiding brands through initial product concepts to national Costco rollouts. Freeman brings 30 years of Costco-specific experience, including key roles at Resource Marketing and Advantage Solutions, making him one of the industry's most seasoned Costco experts. He will join the Harvest Group Costco team as a VP alongside Valerie Corniel. "Steve and his team at Next Step have built something special," said Valerie Corniel, VP of Costco at Harvest Group. "They hold strong, long-standing relationships with Costco buyers nationwide and understand the nuance of operating within a club retail environment. This acquisition gives us stronger coverage across all Costco regions and brings expertise in taking brands from initial launches to national programs." The team at Next Step has led major brand wins, including supporting the development of Kirkland Signature items. It has transformed regional tests into multi-million dollar programs and secured ongoing "first call" status with buyers across multiple Costco departments. The agency offers a full suite of services, including strategic sales support, product development, program management and influencer marketing. Through the acquisition, Harvest Group clients will benefit from: Expanded Coverage: Increased regional presence, improving access to Costco and leverage when advocating for client items. Enhanced Costco Expertise: A leadership team with deep experience across multiple Costco departments and categories. Scalable Growth Positioning: Deep experience helping clients grow from regional rotation to national distribution. Integrated Strategy: Opportunities to further integrate Costco into their total commerce strategy, ensuring consistent messaging, execution and performance across their business. "Harvest Group's reputation for delivering outstanding results for its clients and customers made it an easy decision to join forces with them," added Freeman. "Their values, culture and commitment to Costco closely align with our core principles. With Next Step's experience and Harvest's tremendous capabilities, we will now be able to expand our service to our existing client partners while positioning ourselves for growth with new products, new clients and innovation." For more information, visit About Harvest Group Founded in 2006, Harvest Group is a commerce agency serving CPG brands in today's retail landscape. The company offers integrated solutions that align strategy across in-store and digital commerce, retail media, and social platforms. With over 350 retail experts, Harvest Group works with brands at major retailers including Walmart, Sam's Club, Target, Amazon, Costco, and Kroger. For more information visit About Next Step Club Solutions Founded in 2019 and headquartered in Next Step Club Solutions is a boutique sales and solutions agency specializing in helping manufacturers and suppliers succeed within Costco Wholesale. Next Step offers a comprehensive suite of services including strategic sales support, product development for both branded and private label items, program management for promotional avenues, administrative assistance, and influencer marketing. View source version on Contacts Media Contact: Ella Jane Dantzler ejdantzler@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Business Wire
03-06-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Harvest Group Expands Costco Capabilities with Next Step Club Solutions Acquisition
ROGERS, Ark.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Harvest Group, a leading commerce agency, today announced the acquisition of Next Step Club Solutions, a boutique Costco brokerage firm specializing in club retail expertise. The strategic acquisition expands Harvest Group's capabilities, strengthens its national footprint and expands its relationships with Costco buyers. "This acquisition gives us stronger coverage across all Costco regions and brings expertise in taking brands from initial launches to national programs," said Valerie Corniel, VP of Costco at Harvest Group. Founded in 2019 by Steve Freeman, Next Step is a Costco-focused sales and solutions agency that has carved out a niche as a high-touch, results-driven 'concierge broker,' expertly guiding brands through initial product concepts to national Costco rollouts. Freeman brings 30 years of Costco-specific experience, including key roles at Resource Marketing and Advantage Solutions, making him one of the industry's most seasoned Costco experts. He will join the Harvest Group Costco team as a VP alongside Valerie Corniel. "Steve and his team at Next Step have built something special," said Valerie Corniel, VP of Costco at Harvest Group. "They hold strong, long-standing relationships with Costco buyers nationwide and understand the nuance of operating within a club retail environment. This acquisition gives us stronger coverage across all Costco regions and brings expertise in taking brands from initial launches to national programs." The team at Next Step has led major brand wins, including supporting the development of Kirkland Signature items. It has transformed regional tests into multi-million dollar programs and secured ongoing 'first call' status with buyers across multiple Costco departments. The agency offers a full suite of services, including strategic sales support, product development, program management and influencer marketing. Through the acquisition, Harvest Group clients will benefit from: Expanded Coverage: Increased regional presence, improving access to Costco and leverage when advocating for client items. Enhanced Costco Expertise: A leadership team with deep experience across multiple Costco departments and categories. Scalable Growth Positioning: Deep experience helping clients grow from regional rotation to national distribution. Integrated Strategy: Opportunities to further integrate Costco into their total commerce strategy, ensuring consistent messaging, execution and performance across their business. "Harvest Group's reputation for delivering outstanding results for its clients and customers made it an easy decision to join forces with them," added Freeman. "Their values, culture and commitment to Costco closely align with our core principles. With Next Step's experience and Harvest's tremendous capabilities, we will now be able to expand our service to our existing client partners while positioning ourselves for growth with new products, new clients and innovation." For more information, visit About Harvest Group Founded in 2006, Harvest Group is a commerce agency serving CPG brands in today's retail landscape. The company offers integrated solutions that align strategy across in-store and digital commerce, retail media, and social platforms. With over 350 retail experts, Harvest Group works with brands at major retailers including Walmart, Sam's Club, Target, Amazon, Costco, and Kroger. For more information visit About Next Step Club Solutions Founded in 2019 and headquartered in Next Step Club Solutions is a boutique sales and solutions agency specializing in helping manufacturers and suppliers succeed within Costco Wholesale. Next Step offers a comprehensive suite of services including strategic sales support, product development for both branded and private label items, program management for promotional avenues, administrative assistance, and influencer marketing.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Harvest Group Expands Costco Capabilities with Next Step Club Solutions Acquisition
ROGERS, Ark., June 03, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Harvest Group, a leading commerce agency, today announced the acquisition of Next Step Club Solutions, a boutique Costco brokerage firm specializing in club retail expertise. The strategic acquisition expands Harvest Group's capabilities, strengthens its national footprint and expands its relationships with Costco buyers. Founded in 2019 by Steve Freeman, Next Step is a Costco-focused sales and solutions agency that has carved out a niche as a high-touch, results-driven "concierge broker," expertly guiding brands through initial product concepts to national Costco rollouts. Freeman brings 30 years of Costco-specific experience, including key roles at Resource Marketing and Advantage Solutions, making him one of the industry's most seasoned Costco experts. He will join the Harvest Group Costco team as a VP alongside Valerie Corniel. "Steve and his team at Next Step have built something special," said Valerie Corniel, VP of Costco at Harvest Group. "They hold strong, long-standing relationships with Costco buyers nationwide and understand the nuance of operating within a club retail environment. This acquisition gives us stronger coverage across all Costco regions and brings expertise in taking brands from initial launches to national programs." The team at Next Step has led major brand wins, including supporting the development of Kirkland Signature items. It has transformed regional tests into multi-million dollar programs and secured ongoing "first call" status with buyers across multiple Costco departments. The agency offers a full suite of services, including strategic sales support, product development, program management and influencer marketing. Through the acquisition, Harvest Group clients will benefit from: Expanded Coverage: Increased regional presence, improving access to Costco and leverage when advocating for client items. Enhanced Costco Expertise: A leadership team with deep experience across multiple Costco departments and categories. Scalable Growth Positioning: Deep experience helping clients grow from regional rotation to national distribution. Integrated Strategy: Opportunities to further integrate Costco into their total commerce strategy, ensuring consistent messaging, execution and performance across their business. "Harvest Group's reputation for delivering outstanding results for its clients and customers made it an easy decision to join forces with them," added Freeman. "Their values, culture and commitment to Costco closely align with our core principles. With Next Step's experience and Harvest's tremendous capabilities, we will now be able to expand our service to our existing client partners while positioning ourselves for growth with new products, new clients and innovation." For more information, visit About Harvest Group Founded in 2006, Harvest Group is a commerce agency serving CPG brands in today's retail landscape. The company offers integrated solutions that align strategy across in-store and digital commerce, retail media, and social platforms. With over 350 retail experts, Harvest Group works with brands at major retailers including Walmart, Sam's Club, Target, Amazon, Costco, and Kroger. For more information visit About Next Step Club Solutions Founded in 2019 and headquartered in Next Step Club Solutions is a boutique sales and solutions agency specializing in helping manufacturers and suppliers succeed within Costco Wholesale. Next Step offers a comprehensive suite of services including strategic sales support, product development for both branded and private label items, program management for promotional avenues, administrative assistance, and influencer marketing. View source version on Contacts Media Contact: Ella Jane Dantzler ejdantzler@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Malaysian Reserve
24-04-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Harvest Group Establishes Operations in Kenya to Drive Growth in African Markets
NAIROBI, Kenya, April 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — As global economic dynamics shift, Harvest Group SA has announced the official launch of its operations in Kenya, leveraging the country's strategic position as a regional trade hub and gateway to Africa's rapidly expanding markets. Kenya's stable regulatory framework, robust infrastructure, and high level of digitalisation have made it an ideal entry point for Harvest Group's Africa-focused growth strategy. Central to the company's expansion is the deep-water port of Mombasa—the largest in the region—that serves as a vital logistics hub for cargo destined for Kenya and other COMESA countries including Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. 'Our decision to expand into Kenya reflects a long-term commitment to the African continent,' said Almaz Alsenov, the founder of Harvest Group. 'With European markets experiencing stagnation, Africa offers an exciting and dynamic growth trajectory. Kenya's ambitious development of infrastructure and widespread use of technology allows us to operate efficiently and react quickly to changing market dynamics, while tackling broader challenges like food insecurity across the region.' Harvest Group completed its first shipment of soyabean meal from India in December and has since established a scalable distribution model based on the cash-and-carry system. Goods are stored in strategically located warehouses and sold in quantities tailored to local demand—ranging from individual bags to bulk truckloads. The company's logistics model is built for efficiency. Incoming shipments are repackaged at the port of Mombasa into 40–50 kg bags, the standard for the local market, and then transported via Kenya's modern high-speed rail network to Nairobi. This logistical corridor has reduced inland transit times to just eight hours, allowing Nairobi to serve as the central wholesale distribution hub where local farmers can collect their purchases directly. To enhance accessibility and market penetration, Harvest Group plans to expand warehouse operations across the country. This will be underpinned by Kenya's advanced mobile infrastructure, which allows the company to manage its logistics and sales efficiently. With widespread mobile usage and a high rate of electronic financial transactions, the company has implemented automated systems at its distribution centres, including QR code-based customer identification for seamless product retrieval and improved security. Operating under the Harvest Group brand, the company supplies high-demand agricultural products such as wheat, corn, soybean meal, vegetable oils, and barley. Emphasising quality and reliability, Alsenov said: 'The firm is committed not only to ensuring a stable supply but also to raising market standards. By introducing superior-grade commodities to regional markets, we aim to influence farming practices for the better and improve the overall quality of food and animal feed production in the region. Improving agricultural efficiency is vital for tackling food insecurity, while at the same time bolstering the economies of African nations.' Rather than simply exporting raw materials, Harvest Group is pioneering a new model of trade in Africa, integrating long-term development goals like tackling food insecurity with efficient logistics and technology-led distribution. Harvest Group is confident that its investment in Kenya represents a vital step toward lasting regional impact. About Harvest Group SA Harvest Group SA is a Geneva-based commodities trader specialising in the global logistics and distribution of agricultural commodities. Focused on sustainable growth and innovation, the company is committed to building resilient supply chains and promoting economic development in emerging markets. Photo: View original content:
