by U.S. Chamber of Commerce
  • Start

    Everything that you need to know to start your own business. From business ideas to researching the competition.

    Start
  • Run

    Practical and real-world advice on how to run your business — from managing employees to keeping the books

    Run
  • Grow

    Our best expert advice on how to grow your business — from attracting new customers to keeping existing customers happy and having the capital to do it.

    Grow
  • Good Company

    Entrepreneurs and industry leaders share their best advice on how to take your company to the next level.

    Good Company
  • Product Guides

    Let us help your business find the best tools and solutions to thrive and grow.

    Product Guides
Subscribe to our Newsletter Attend an Event About Us

Looking for your local chamber?

Chamber Finder

Interested in partnering with us?

Media Kit
CO- logo

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—

Founder of Wine Recommendations App CellarTracker Expands User Base by Supercharging Crowdsourced Content with AI
Former Microsoft Engineer Eric LeVine taps artificial intelligence to help wine drinkers learn from the trove of data he has from its 10 million collectors.
READ

OpenFortune Expands by Putting Brand Messages—Literally—Into the Hands of Consumers
The fortune-cookie marketing company is building its fortune by attracting big advertisers across industries that seek to engage with consumers in real life at the dinner table.
READ

Brands From Kraft Heinz to Marriott Drive Heightened Customer Engagement — and Sales — with QR Codes
Product packaging, restaurant check-out, and gamified customer experiences are among the growing use cases for the scannable technology that are generating a return on investment for businesses.
READ

How Companies Use AI With Social Listening Trends
High-tech monitoring of online conversations helps brands respond more effectively to customer feedback.
READ

How Brands Are Using AI to Minimize the Costs of Product Returns
Businesses from Flux Footwear to Piper & Scoot apparel are tapping the technology to reduce merchandise return rates with solutions at various stages of the consumer buying journey.
READ

How Businesses From The RealReal to Hinge are Leveraging Substack to Boost Brand Engagement and Growth
Companies are increasingly exploring content and storytelling strategies on the newsletter publishing platform to deepen customers’ relationships with their brands and products, drive loyalty, and even stoke sales.
READ

Successful Food Startups' Approach to Product Expansion
Founders and execs reveal the growth strategies behind product introductions.
READ

Retailers and Brands Large and Small Unlock (AI-Aided) Opportunities in a Challenging Pricing Environment
Longer promotions, vendor negotiations, and tech-driven solutions help meet the demands of cautious consumers.
READ

How Businesses Use Ultramodern Tech in Niche Ways
Innovative solutions that leverage automation in marketing, retailing, and transportation yield gains for companies ranging from PODS moving and storage to VenHub’s self-operating convenience stores.
READ

Holiday Trends Your Business Should Know for Black Friday 2025 (and Beyond)
Retailers focus on value, convenience amid a cautious consumer environment.
READ