What's the name of your coffee/tea blog?
TeaRetailer
Link to Your Blog
http://www.tearetailer.com
Is it a company blog? If so, what's the company's link?
http://www.adagio.com
What's the focus of your coffee/tea blog?
Welcome to TeaRetailer.com, an Adagio Teas blog dedicated to chronicling the development of our first Tea Retail Store. Rather than approach this project in the typical secretive corporate fashion, the team at Adagio has made the decision to embrace the input and participation of our customers and business partners. In doing so, we hope to better align ourselves with the needs and desires of the market, and also provide valuable insights and strategies to the retailers that carry our products.
What's your experience level?
For the last five years (starting in 2004) I was responsible for building and managing the US subsidiary of TeaGschwendner, the world’s largest tea retailer with operations in 9 countries on 4 continents. During my tenure there I opened TeaGschwendner’s US Headquarters and Distribution operation, opened two bistros and three retail stores, launched US franchise operations, launched a US e-Commerce website (www.teamerchants.com), and started a North American Wholesale operation serving the US, Canada and Mexico.
Today I sit on the Advisory Board for the World Tea Expo, am a member of the Specialty Tea Institute, and speak and write regularly on topics relating to the business of tea. Most importantly, I am an excited newbie. I am the junior member of the experienced team of tea professionals at Adagio Teas. I hope to bring my experience to bear on the company’s move into physical retail stores, and share my progress with you along the way.
Tips and Tricks
- Publish the details of our retail strategy
- The process of opening the pilot store
- Results and lessons learned along the way
- Keys to success in online, retail and wholesale tea business
