The United States represents the peak of the health and wellness world. Conservative research estimates a market size of nearly $1 trillion ($939 billion) in 2024 with rapid growth that could pass $1.5 trillion by 2033.
It isn’t hard to see why. The US has many of the biggest brands and one of the largest concentrations of consumer wealth. When a brand breaks through in North America, it can achieve truly explosive, sustainable growth.
If you’re trying to move an international supplement brand into the US marketplace, here are several steps you can expect as you go. We’ll also explore some of the reasons working with a US-based marketing and distribution partner like TruLife Distribution can help streamline the work and optimize your chances for success.
1. Conducting Market and Regulatory Research
The first step is confirming that you have a product that will generate demand in America. This requires market research to validate demand.
Working with a professional partner can help you ask the right questions, confirm USPs, and define what makes you competitive. A partner can also help you conduct an initial high-level review to confirm compliance with FDA/FTC and similar regulatory requirements.
2. Addressing Compliance and Labeling
Next up, you want to work with regulatory professionals who can confirm compliance on a detailed level. This applies to GMP certifications, testing, labeling, and FDA regulations in your field.
Having that insider knowledge on your side early on can make a significant difference in how quickly and smoothly this step goes.
3. Creating Your U.S. Go‑to‑Market Plan
Once you’ve jumped through the regulatory hoops, you’re set to enter the market. But you’re not at the finish line. In many ways, this is the starting line. Now that you’re approved, you need a go-to-market plan.
Again, market research is key here. Who is your ideal customer in the US market? What retail channels do you want to use? You need to know pricing, protect margins, and build a strong promotional calendar.
4. Establishing the Logistics of Your U.S. Footprint
It’s hard to ship internationally and preserve your profit. This means you want a US-based logistical location that you can use for importation, customs, warehousing, and order fulfillment.
Again, having a States-based partner can be invaluable in streamlining this process and setting up a US base of operations.
5. Building Your Retail and E‑Commerce Presence
Next up, you need to market your brand. This can happen through a myriad of sales and promotional channels, including:
- Brick-and-mortar retail through ECRM conferences and boots-on-the-ground sales through a partner’s retail network.
- E-commerce on Amazon, Walmart.com, and similar digital channels.
- Creating sell sheets and similar collateral for physical buyer presentations.
- Marketing through social platforms, press releases, and similar channels.
6. Scale and Optimize Your US Brand Efforts
Finally, once you’re established in the US, you want a consistent effort to scale and optimize your presence. This requires the right KPIs to fit the US marketplace, as well as tinkering with sales and marketing messages over time.
A partner can provide targeted terminology and understanding as you craft your marketing messaging and continue to invest over time.
Launching Your Supplement Brand in the US
Taking a successful nutraceutical brand and bringing it into the US market is a good idea. It’s also a challenging one. From regulatory concerns to marketing competition, the barriers to entry are high.
If your brand is ready to make the ambitious leap from local success to a big player on the US stage, you want to start by building the right partnerships.
Want to learn more about what it looks like to have TruLife Distribution’s team of marketing and distribution experts walk with you through this process? Reach out for a Free Consultation. Together, we can talk through the potential of a US launch for your brand and the next steps for your company to enter the US marketplace.