Epic Sales Partners

Epic Sales Partners is a premier independent fresh food sales agency in the U.S., adeptly connecting food manufacturers with leading grocery retailers. As a ‘fresh food catalyst,’ Epic Sales targets the supermarket perimeter, focusing on perishable goods like bakery, produce, deli, meat, seafood and dairy departments, along with specialty foods.

It has three regional divisions with a strong local footprint in major states including Boston, New Jersey, North Carolina, Florida, New York, Denver, Southern California, Northern California, Oregon, San Antonio, Dallas, Bentonville and Arizona, which positions the company to cater to diverse regional demands.

“Our structure as a commonly owned and privately held company, free from the constraints of private equity, sets us apart. This independence allows us for greater flexibility and agility, enabling swift adaptation to market shifts and client requirements—an edge less pronounced in larger brokers,” says Bart Thorne, president of Epic East.

On the ground, Epic Sales shows a robust commitment to community engagement through its workforce. Over 210 associates, 75 percent of whom are actively engaged daily, work directly with store managers and manufacturers in various locations. This hands-on interaction does not just lead to strong community ties, it also addresses labor challenges in the retail sector. In specialized departments such as bakery and meat, where skilled labor is in high demand, Epic Sales’ proactive involvement is crucial to navigating today’s tight labor market.

Meeting the critical demand for skilled supervision in store environments, Epic Sales leverages a powerful tool called Go-Spot-Check. This technology, used on handheld devices, facilitates real-time data capture through advanced image recognition and photo reporting. The technology ensures accurate product rotation, pricing and display arrangements, providing essential support for store operations oversight, which empowers Epic Sales to deliver exceptional support to retailers and manufacturers.

Epic Sales equally emphasizes administrative support. The team manages a complex array of tasks essential for retailers and manufacturers. This includes creating product listings, uploading images and tying items to promotional deals to facilitate their distribution to stores. The administrative aspect, which includes PO management, new item set-up and deduction management, ensures seamless operations and support throughout the product lifecycle.

This essential back-office support is spearheaded by Adriana Alvarado, Director of Customer Service and Administration, with her team based in Dallas. She says, “We serve as a pivotal support system for field personnel, retailers and manufacturers alike. Our efforts are instrumental in maintaining the operational efficiency and effectiveness that Epic Sales is known for, bridging the gap between in-field activities and administrative necessities to enhance overall service delivery.”

The integrated approach was evident when Epic Sales assisted a retailer experiencing a decline in sales within a specific bakery category, exacerbated by recent food inflation and rising commodity prices. The retailer sought a comprehensive evaluation and innovative solutions to counteract increased costs and reduced profitability. In response, Epic Sales conducted an in-depth analysis, visiting stores and gathering data to provide informed feedback. The team proposed a pricing program alongside innovative packaging ideas to enhance product appeal and effectively manage costs. This holistic strategy not only addressed the immediate concerns of the retailer but led to a significant improvement in the category’s performance. As a result, sales for the manufacturer at this retailer doubled, highlighting the effectiveness of Epic Sales’ tailored solutions and strategic insights in reversing declining sales trends and boosting profitability.

With an average tenure of 7.2 years, Epic Sales is renowned for its seasoned sales and retail team— responsible for representing manufacturers’ products to retailers, handling a variety of critical tasks. These include analyzing seasonality and calendar timing to assist with forecasting, which ensures manufacturers receive accurate data for production planning. This capability allows manufacturers to adequately prepare materials based on the provided forecasts.

They enhance the visibility and appeal of manufacturers’ products through meticulous promotional planning and by tailoring in-store shelving and displays to meet retailer requests. The introduction of new products is handled with finesse, ensuring they are well-received in the competitive retail market. Pricing strategies and promotional programs are expertly managed, along with comprehensive oversight of trade spending, to ensure that manufacturers’ investments yield substantial returns.

For Epic Sale’s manufacturers, the company implemented a client captain coverage model, which focuses on its top 25 represented manufacturers. Epic provides quarterly reviews with these clients, emphasizing the value and support it offers by detailing the number of days the team spends on their behalf in retailers’ stores throughout the year. Epic Sales’s client captains ensure these key manufacturers get the strategic, forward-looking support required by national accounts.

This comprehensive approach ensures that manufacturers’ products find their place on shelves and capture the attention of buyers, making Epic Sales a crucial partner in their journey from production to the point of sale.