When it comes to the average company issuing newsletters, we‘re extremely used to seeing the terms “forward-looking”, “tentative”, “potential”, “upcoming” …
But how often do we come across a special team of experts who just like to get sh*t done?
This innovative superfood producer started putting pen to paper less than a year ago and we’re already seeing distribution agreements and developed (& certified!) product lines.
This company is equipped with decades of consumer-packaged goods experience and, as it commences its journey, we’ll be on the edge of our seat because when a brand-new player enters a US$100 billion+ market, you want to make sure you don’t miss a thing.
Shall we begin?
Coming in Hot
Over 1000 Rite Aid stores in the U.S. are going to be rolling out Rritual’s premium brand of functional superfoods, and what great timing that was. Rritual is actively scaling its production to meet the growing demand of their healthy elixirs and this agreement officially marks their first national retail rollout.
Gaining market share and displaying leadership within their industry are two big items on the Rritual agenda, which is why they have targeted national retailers in lieu of focusing on regional rollouts. This disruptive strategy pairs well with the bonus of Rite Aid’s ecommerce platform, which will complement their retail debut.
Rite Aid will carry Rritual’s full product line, including:
- Chaga IMMUNE with adaptogens Eleuthero Root and Astragalus to support healthy immune function and well-being all year round.
- Lion’s Mane FOCUS with adaptogens Rhodiola Rosea Root and Bacopa to support brain health and cognitive function.
- Reishi RELAX with adaptogen Ashwagandha and cacao to help the body adapt to stress.
“This first national retail rollout is a major achievement for the Rritual brand. It validates both supply and demand for the category, specifically, our product quality and the rapidly growing interest of consumers in functional superfoods,” said Mr. David Kerbel, Rritual Superfoods CEO. “We are striving to not only lead this emerging category, but to define it. A significant part of achieving that goal is accomplished through gaining the trust and support of consumers through top tier retailers such as Rite Aid.”
Wait, Who Is Rite Aid?
How rude of us not to introduce you.
Rite Aid is the 3rd largest drugstore chain in the United States. 1,600,000 American citizens shop at their stores, online and offline, daily. Rite Aid’s pharmacists are known for their friendly nature and unique customer service engagement, often guiding customers towards healthier choices.
One can imagine the recommendation of Rritual’s certified organic superfood elixirs have the potential to be at the forefront of the dialogue at the Rite Aid locations.
Antibiotics, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), toxic pesticides, and synthetic hormones are all ingredients that can be, and have been, found in products lacking organic certification. As you may recall, Rritual achieved this certification in a matter of weeks, which is a fraction of the time it normally takes to process. Hats off to their team of consumer-packaged goods veterans for the expedition. Undeniably, a premium superfood product wouldn’t be considered premium, or a superfood if it wasn’t organic.
“Receiving USDA Organic Certification provides trusted, third-party validation of the quality of Rritual’s products,” said David Kerbel, CEO of Rritual. “We have a premium lineup that features powerful ingredients and with the addition of a Certified Organic seal our consumers can be confident they are making healthy, informed decisions about what they are putting in their body when they purchase Rritual.”
Former Megafood Executive Enhances the Roster
Previously at Gaia Herbs and nutrition retailer, Megafood, Stacey Gillespie has joined the already stacked team at Rritual, as Chief Innovation Officer.
Offering rigorously educated product expertise and, well… innovation, Gillespie aims to push Rritual to become a leader in the functional food and wellness industry. Keeping Rritual’s product and strategy ahead of the curve will be the driving factor in Rritual carving out their own stake in this 12-figure industry. Here are a couple of key highlights in Gillespie’s career.
- Served as Director of Brand Strategy and Director of Product Strategy for Gaia Herbs Inc., in Asheville, North Carolina.
- At Gaia, Gillespie developed business cases for executive approval of over 20 new products, the highest number of new products launched for the company, including the entry into the hemp category.
- Under Gillespies‘s leadership, three Gaia products, Agile Mind, Mind Spring, and Calm A.S.A.P., won industry leading Nexty Awards for best condition-specific supplement in Fall & Winter 2018, and Spring 2019.
- Served as Director of Product Strategy, Director of Product Development and Director of Marketing for MegaFood, in Manchester, New Hampshire.
- Served as the Lead formulator of MegaFood product formulations for 10+ years, including product lines developed in collaboration with, and on behalf of, Dr. Andrew Weil and Dr. Tieraona Low Dog.
“Stacey Gillespie represents the perfect complement to our leadership team and its CPG (consumer packaged goods) expertise by bringing her tremendous depth in terms of product research, innovation and formulation – all in complete alignment with Rritual’s consumer focused brand,” said Mr. David Kerbel, Rritual CEO. “Her passion and knowledge will have an exponential effect on our business model and help to fuel Rritual’s ascent as a major contributor, and trusted brand in the Superfood marketplace.”
Disclaimer: Rritual Superfoods Inc. is an Edge Communications Client, and we own shares in the company.