Strategic and Operational growing pains are part of most growth journeys
At Groa Brand Group, we have first-hand experience with many of the growth challenges you may be facing, and having worked in the industry for decades, we appreciate that practical solutions are essential for a successful implementation.
Examples of pain points that we help address are:
Strategy lacks execution - Difficulties in operationalising visions and strategies – Management knows the ‘what’ but not the ‘how’
Growth has stalled - Growth trajectory is starting to plateau with no realistic plan in place.
Organisation not ready for growth - Organisation not structured and ready to expand beyond core channel and home markets. Challenges in shifting from a domestic- to an international growth mindset.
Non-strategic initiatives hinder growth - Undesirable and unprofitable activities with channels, customers or product categories that have turned into financial and operational burdens.
Great innovation, poor commercialisation - Businesses with great innovation skills but lacking the commercial experience to expand brand reach and realise its potential
Brand & Commercial Development
Gróa Brand Development offers solutions-focused support to companies looking to identify and realise their potential. In partnership with shareholders, board of directors and management teams, we build tailor-made solutions that fit the needs, timeline, and budget of the business.
Our approach is methodical, practical, and focused on sustainable progress. We believe in the power of the outside-in perspective and provide transparent, honest, and actionable feedback. We focus on the root cause rather than the symptoms to ensure a solid foundation to build upon.
We work with brands to build brand-right distribution networks and ensure their merchandising and marketing efforts match the channel and market needs.
Key areas we support include:
Strategy Development - Support the development and implementation of growth strategies.
Brand Development - Build and refine a market relevant and competitive brand identity that resonates with target customers.
Wholesale and Distribution Development - Supporting brands in developing qualitative wholesale and distribution across global markets.
Strategic Partnerships - Secure partnerships with strategically important retailers to expand brand presence and drive qualitative growth
Merchandising - Optimising product assortments and VM standards to ensure a competitive position in the market.
Transition - Support and facilitate the change efforts in connection with ownership and leadership changes.
Search and Selection
Licensing & Strategic Partners
At Gróa Brand Group, we specialise in identifying strategic partnership opportunities to drive growth and expand brand reach.
Our search and selection services are designed for major licensing and brand operating companies seeking to expand their reach through experienced distributors and licensees throughout the world.
We understand the importance of finding the right match, which is why our approach is tailored to the unique needs of each client. Our extensive network and in-depth market analysis enable us to connect you with partners who not only align with the brand values but also have the capability to amplify the brand’s presence in the marketplace.
We pride ourselves on our meticulous vetting process, ensuring that potential distributors and licensees meet the highest standards of quality and reliability. Our team works closely with our partners to understand your objectives, target profiles, and desired outcomes. This collaborative effort allows us to curate a selection of prospects that are most likely to result in fruitful and long-lasting business relationships.
Our services extend beyond introductions as we are able to facilitate negotiations, assist in the development of contracts, and provide ongoing support to ensure a smooth partnership lifecycle.
Whether you are looking to penetrate new markets or strengthen your position in existing ones, Gróa Brand Group is a trusted partner who can help you achieve your strategic goals through effective search and selection, bridging the gap between opportunity and success, and fostering value creating partnerships.
Supporting Private Equity
Value creation for growth-driven transactions
Based on Gróa Brand Group’s experience with brand and extensive industry- and market insights, our Private Equity clients can in partnership with us support their portfolio companies accelerate growth, enhance performance, and generate exponential value for their portfolio companies at every stage of the ownership cycle.
Pre-deal - we help assess key markets, channels and existing customers and partners to validate assumptions and identify risks and opportunities. Furthermore, we assess the organisation’s readiness to execute, evaluate the customer experience and competitive state of the market, and through this, evaluate the achievability and realism of the business plan.
Post-deal - we help drive key initiatives in connection with transactions, including strategic reviews, development and delivery of operating plans, interim management support to accelerate integration, change programs and growth initiatives – all to ensure the investment cases are delivered in line with deal assumptions.
Pre-exit - Gróa can define, initiate, and secure early traction of value-creating actions that will help sellers optimise their value at exit. This includes retail store-, partner-, and channel performance reviews, efficiency plans, and new high-potential growth initiatives.
Brand Management
Gróa Brand Management supports brands in their growth through direct involvement in their growth efforts. We take on the role of partners in a defined region and can work in partnership with the brand owner to develop and execute the growth strategy, including managing the operations and distribution channels on behalf of the brand.
Given our extensive international experience, we understand the challenges as well as the opportunities brands face when entering and operating in territories outside their home markets.
Typical solutions we support are:
Distribution Development & Management - Identify, develop, improve, and support the network of distributors, agents, licensing partners, and franchise partners.
Distributor - Develop and operate brands in especially the UK and Europe, building up distribution networks and driving sales and marketing efforts to deliver sustainable, profitable growth.
Licensee - Develop brands through licensing agreements, handling all aspects of brand development.
Channel Manager - Develop and oversee the management of specific channels, e.g. multi-national online marketplaces, store networks and other strategic partnerships that require specialised focus and attention.
Groa Brand Investments
Groa Brand Investments invests in and manages owned and operated brands. Focused predominantly on the apparel, footwear, and accessories sectors, we invest in high-potential brands and enable their growth through active engagement with the management team and other stakeholders.
Typical investments cases include:
Under-potentialized brands: high potential brands where growth has stalled under the current ownership and/or management.
Generation changes: brands where current owners are looking to divest and/or retire.
Strategic fit: acquisitions from portfolios where the brand no longer fits strategically and would thrive better under new ownership.
