Opportunity
Ocean’s Halo, a producer of seaweed-based snacks, sought to expand its market presence by partnering with Walmart. The goal was to introduce their products to a broader audience and establish a strong foothold in the retail market.
Goals
- Increase Product Awareness: Introduce Ocean’s Halo products to Walmart shoppers nationwide.
- Drive Sales Growth: Achieve substantial year-over-year sales increases.
- Expand Market Share: Position Ocean’s Halo as a leading brand in the seaweed snack category.
Solution
With 8th & Walton’s help, Ocean’s Halo collaborated closely with Walmart to implement a strategic growth plan:
- Phased Product Rollout: Starting with a select assortment in a limited number of stores, Ocean’s Halo gradually expanded its product line and store presence based on performance metrics.
- Supply Chain Optimization: Maintained over 98% On-Time In-Full (OTIF) performance, ensuring reliable product availability and building trust with Walmart’s supply chain operations.
- Omnichannel Marketing: Leveraged Walmart Connect’s advertising solutions, including Sponsored Search and Onsite Display ads, to reach customers across multiple touchpoints.
- Sustainability Initiatives: Aligned with Walmart’s sustainability goals by eliminating plastic trays and reducing packaging footprints, appealing to eco-conscious consumers.
Strategy
The partnership focused on a data-driven approach to scale responsibly:
- Performance-Based Expansion: Utilized sales data to inform decisions on product assortment and store count increases.
- Targeted Advertising: Employed Walmart’s first-party data to identify and target key customer segments, enhancing the effectiveness of marketing campaigns.
- Customer Engagement: Created engaging content, such as recipes and usage ideas, to inspire purchases and integrate products into customers’ daily routines.
- Exclusive Product Launch: Introduced new flavors exclusively at Walmart, enhancing customer engagement and driving incremental sales
Tactics
- In-Store Promotions: Executed category takeovers and featured placements to boost product visibility.
- Digital Advertising: Ran campaigns across Walmart’s digital platforms, including display ads and sponsored products, to drive online and in-store traffic.
- Sustainability Messaging: Highlighted eco-friendly packaging and practices in marketing materials to resonate with environmentally conscious shoppers.
Big Wins
- 30% Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR): Achieved consistent sales growth over multiple years.
- Market Share Increase: Expanded Walmart’s seaweed snack market share from 22% to 36%.
- Top Online Performer: Became #1 Seaweed Snack sold on Walmart.com.
- Supply Chain Excellence: Recognized as one of Walmart’s most trusted suppliers for forecasting and OTIF performance.
Key Takeaways
- Strategic Collaboration: A phased and data-driven approach to product rollout can lead to sustainable growth.
- Operational Excellence: Maintaining high supply chain performance fosters strong retailer partnerships.
- Integrated Marketing: Utilizing omnichannel advertising solutions effectively engages customers and drives sales.
- Sustainability Alignment: Eco-friendly initiatives resonate with consumers and align with retailer values, enhancing brand appeal.
Ready to Grow Your Brand with Walmart?
Ocean’s Halo’s success demonstrates the power of strategic collaboration, supply chain excellence, and omnichannel marketing. If you’re looking to expand your market presence, optimize your supply chain, and leverage Walmart Connect’s advertising solutions, we’re here to help.
Fill out the form below, and our team will reach out to discuss your growth strategy and how you can scale your business successfully with Walmart.
