Latest news with #NextStep
Yahoo
6 days ago
- 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
6 days ago
- 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
6 days ago
- 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
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Next Step Healthcare Notifies Individuals of Data Security Incident
WOBURN, Mass., May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Next Step Healthcare, LLC ("Next Step") is providing notice of a recent data security incident that may have affected personal and/or protected health information. Next Step takes the privacy and security of all information within its possession very seriously. Next Step has sent notice of this incident to potentially affected individuals and provided resources to assist them. On June 5, 2024, Next Step learned of unusual activity in its network. In response, it immediately took measures to terminate the activity and secure its systems. In addition, Next Step engaged cybersecurity experts to investigate. The investigation determined that data may have been accessed or downloaded without authorization from certain Next Step systems. Next Step conducted a thorough review of these systems in order to identify the scope of the incident. Next Step is providing notice to all individuals whose information could have been involved. Notice of this event was mailed directly to potentially affected individuals with an available mailing address on May 29, 2025. Based on Next Step's review of the potentially affected data, the following information for current and former residents may have been affected as a result of the incident: name, date of birth, Social Security number, driver's license number, financial account number, diagnosis or treatment information, and/or other health-related information. As soon as it discovered this incident, Next Step took the steps described above and implemented measures to enhance security and minimize the risk of a similar incident occurring in the future. Next Step has established a toll-free call center to answer questions about the incident and address related concerns. Call center representatives are available Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm Eastern Time and can be reached at 1-877-674-1598. The privacy and protection of personal and protected health information is a top priority for Next Step. Next Step deeply regrets any inconvenience or concern this incident may cause. View original content: SOURCE Next Step Healthcare, LLC Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New tiny homes in Grand Rapids provide both shelter and work
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A new tiny home community is being built in Grand Rapids, offering one solution to the ongoing affordable housing crisis. The new development, called Hope Village, has been a vision for more than five years. Now, six of the 16 houses are in the works. The community will provide fully-furnished homes for individuals or families transitioning out of homelessness or unstable housing situations. 'Every Michigander, every one of us deserves to have a safe, affordable place to raise a family to build a life we want in a vibrant community,' said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who visited the site Thursday. 'Unfortunately we know that it's a tough housing market right now.' Housing crisis: Kent County could add 35K homes with this strategy Located near Mel Trotter Ministries' Next Step facility on Garden Street SE near Jefferson Avenue, the homes will range from 400 to 530 square feet and include private bathrooms, in-unit washers and dryers as well as access to nearby job opportunities. Whitmer joined local leaders to tour the homes and speak on the state's investment in affordable housing. In her remarks, she emphasized the urgency of addressing housing needs across the state. 'It all comes down to supply,' Whitmer said. 'Right now, we are short more than 140,000 homes statewide. In response, we are going to build, baby, build,' In the governor's 2025 , she announced the state's largest investment to build, fix or buy housing: $2 billion for nearly 11,000 homes. The tiny home development is a partnership between several local nonprofits. Many of the people constructing the homes are participants in a job training program — learning skills like carpentry. Those involved will be eligible to apply for housing in the very community they helped create. Darion Boyd, one of those workers who has been involved in Next Step for nearly two years, says the program gave him direction and purpose. 'I was not making the best decisions in my life and I wanted to be doing something more positive,' he said. Mel Trotter CEO Chris Palusky said Hope Village is part of a broader plan to break the cycle of poverty and homelessness. 'We have emergency at the shelter — but we have hope here,' Palusky said. 'It's expensive across the country, it's really expensive in West Michigan and we see this as one of the solutions to help people that need homes.' Grand Rapids named top 10 housing 'hot spot' going into 2025 Other leaders in attendance included State Rep. Kristian Grant and Grand Rapids Mayor David LaGrand, both of whom echoed the importance of building communities where people can live, work and grow. 'Housing is the bedrock for an individual's stability for a family future and also for the opportunity for community members to build wealth,' said Rep. Grant. 'It starts with a roof over your head.' Ten of the sixteen homes are expected to be completed by the end of the year. Whitmer said residents will pay no more than 30% of their income for rent and the units will be available to those making less than 65% of the area median income. As demand for affordable housing continues to rise across the state, Hope Village is a model for community-based solutions. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
