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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 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.
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Successful Food Startups' Approach to Product Expansion
Founders and execs reveal the growth strategies behind product introductions.
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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.
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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.
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Holiday Trends Your Business Should Know for Black Friday 2025 (and Beyond)
Retailers focus on value, convenience amid a cautious consumer environment.
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Buy Now Pay Later Financial Services for Consumers and Businesses
Expanded offerings from buy now, pay later platforms include debit cards and retail partnerships to attract both merchants and consumers, say executives from Klarna, Affirm, and Afterpay.
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VenHub Founder on its Robotic, Employee-Free Retail Stores (and Empowering Entrepreneurs)
CEO Shahan Ohanessian envisions the startup’s autonomous-stores concept across consumer products — from pet supplies and consumer electronics to luxury goods.
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How CPG Disruptors Are Leaning Into the Protein-Fortified Food Trend to Unlock Growth
Hot startups like Magic Spoon and David and even behemoth Starbucks are rolling out products to meet consumer demand for protein that target not only ‘gym bros’ but women too.
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Autonomous Delivery for Companies Large and Small
Driverless vehicles from companies such as Zipline, Gatik, and Aurora Innovation increasingly haul goods throughout the supply chain.
READ

CPG Veteran Taps Into Growing Appetite for Hispanic Foods at Insignia
The company seeks to streamline its product portfolio to focus on the growth of its core brands and consumer trend-led product innovation.
READ