COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — The Global Market Development Center (GMDC) has launched an online educational resource to help general merchandise and health, beauty and wellness suppliers launch products in the North American marketplace through brick-and-mortar and digital channels.

Called the GMDC Academy, the new resource is powered by The CPG Institute, a retail education advisory firm. According to GMDC president and chief executive officer Patrick Spear, the program aims to give participants an in-depth look at the process of new product launches.

“With the help of our partners at The CPG Institute, we have reimagined online education to give participants an insider’s view of all facets leading to successful execution at retail,” Spear stated. “GMDC Academy has been uniquely developed to make new suppliers ‘retail ready’ and to advance the skills and effectiveness of even large, established vendors.

“In just a few hours, participants gain the precise knowledge needed to anticipate and plan for every step of selling products through traditional and emerging channels,” he noted. “Participants learn the language, expectations and relevant operations of the retail community, helping them optimize results.”

The GMDC Academy coursework was developed from guidance by senior retail executives and is intended to provide a behind-the-scenes view of how buyers make listing decisions, GMDC said. The course will provide suppliers with expertise on such capabilities as product placement and promotion, setting goals, effective follow-up, and building a foundation for long-term success.

Participants who complete the course’s seven mastery modules will be acknowledged with “retail ready” credentials that will be recognized at GMDC events.

“The CPG Institute provides professional education and advisory services that enable suppliers to make the most of every valuable minute they spend with retailers,” CPG Institute managing partner George Fiscus commented. “GMDC Academy integrates audio and video segments that provide impactful, sometimes humorous and always memorable guidance drawn from real interactions among suppliers and retailers. Participants will become more effective, valued business partners.”

GMDC Academy follows GMDC’s Retail Tomorrow initiative, launched last year, that aims to connect innovators and accelerators with retail to spur the introduction of unique, breakthrough products, services and technology.

GMDC serves more than 600 general merchandise and health, beauty and wellness product retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers and service/solution providers. Its combined member volume represents more than 125,000 retail outlets and over $500 billion in sales.