Mark Hamstra

CONTRIBUTOR

About Mark

Mark Hamstra is a freelance business writer with experience covering a range of topics and industries, including food and mass retailing, the restaurant industry, direct/mobile marketing, and technology. Before becoming a freelance business journalist, Mark spent 13 years with Supermarket News, most recently as content director, where he was involved in all areas of editorial planning and production for print and online. Earlier in his career he also worked as a reporter and editor for other business publications, including Financial Technology, Direct Marketing News, Nation’s Restaurant News and Drug Store News.

Areas of expertise include:
• Company financial performance
• Technology deployments
• Supply chain strategies
• Product marketing, merchandising and procurement
• Retail real estate, design and construction
• Labor issues

Latest—

How Giant Sports Cards Became One of the Fastest-Growing Private Companies Amid an Adult Collecting Boom

The retailer taps into consumers’ interest in trading cards as both a hobby and a potential investment, Founder and CEO Jon Butts tells CO—.

Sports Beverage Brand Cizzle on How the Better-for-You Brand Doubled Revenues

The beverage maker has supercharged growth with both in-house manufacturing and health-geared beverages and snacks, drawing a new breed of health-and-wellness consumers to the sports nutrition market.

When Moms Mean Business: Three Startups That Sprang From a Mother's Influence

Elf on the Shelf, Mrs. Meyer’s, and Nadas Empanadas have their founders’ mothers to thank for their success.

Subscription-Driven Brands PrettyLitter, Omaha Steaks, and Stitch Fix on Personalizing Strategies to Meet Evolving Consumer Demands

These CPG businesses are adding value by keeping their fingers on the pulse of their customers via hyper-tailored rewards, heightened convenience, and AI, execs from the brands told CO—.

Analog Marketing Platforms Appeal to Tech-Weary Consumers

Brands including the ad firm OpenFortune, YouTube star MrBeast, dating app Hinge, and others seek to stand out amid the digital clutter.

Three Company Founders Disclose How They Discovered Their Niche

Entrepreneurs who launched Chefman, VenHub, and Dolphin Air Fresheners seized opportunities when they arose, turning insights and industry knowledge into customer demand.

Chefman Founder on Building a $400 Million Business and AI as the Future of Automated Cooking Appliances

Ralph Newhouse expands from sleek, functional appliances to smart devices with digital connectivity.

Reddit Exec on the Tools Fueling Small Business Growth

The discussion platform allows brands to insert themselves into the right conversations with the right messages to boost credibility and reach

CIO of Sports Products Brand HEAD on How It Drove a 20% Increase in E-Commerce Sales

A streamlined content management system also helps meet demands for brand ‘storytelling,’ Gerhard Spari tells CO—.

How AI Is Speeding Up Decision-Making for Businesses

Companies from Walmart to Crayola are tapping AI to expedite everything from managing product returns to maximizing social media trends, imparting best practices for businesses large and small.