Janice Lierz has spent over 20 years with Fortune 100 and 500 companies—Johnson & Johnson, Pillsbury, Heublein, Frito-lay/PepsiCo, and Whole Foods Markets.

Janice has helped create, market, sell and distribute some of the biggest brands in the world. Brands like Tylenol, Tortino’s, Green Giant, Smirnoff Vodka, Jose Guervo Tequilla, Fritos, Doritos, Cracker Jack and other products you would know.

She has placed thousands of products into hundreds of thousands of retail stores across the nation and in 7 countries.

She knows what works and what doesn’t. As a trend forecaster, Janice offers ideas and help for people and their products.

Janice comes from a marketing family. Her father was the creator of Mrs. Olson, the fictitious spokesperson for Folgers Coffee.

Janice says retailers are looking for new, unique products.

Online retailing came up as a topic. Janice says online retailing represents 5%-8% of retail sales. Many consumers do research online, but purchase in stores, according to Janice.

Janice is optimistic about the forthcoming holiday selling season. She uses a phrase to describe consumers pent-up demand. She says they are “saving to spend.”

To get products into stores, Janice recommends doing your homework. Go to the store. Look at the category your product will fit into. Strive for uniqueness. Price, alone, doesn’t make a product unique.

Listen to Janice’s sound advice below: