I think we largely agree. I know people who have launched food items (bug snacks) that were piloted in a dozen or so Whole Foods. They didn't sell enough in the trial period that they weren't given offer/lease to return.

It was a super niche product they were making but were up against a couple products that I've at least seen ads for online. I think, theoretically, if those other companies didn't have a brand presence then perhaps my friends snacks would have had a slightly better shot at staying on the shelfs. However, from the other products data they may have seen no short-term gain from their ads.