Managing Distribution and Deductions: Taking Control of Costs and Opportunities

Distribution is one of the most confusing and expensive parts of scaling a CPG brand, and deductions often feel like a black hole of data. This masterclass breaks down exactly how distribution works today, why deductions happen, and what brands can do to take control, reduce losses, and protect margins. You’ll learn the current state of U.S. distribution, your real options for key retailers, the tradeoffs between different distributors, and the must-know strategies that help brands avoid unnecessary costs. We’ll also dig into deduction management: what’s automatic, what’s avoidable, what you should challenge, and how to build the internal or external systems that keep dollars from slipping through the cracks.