Aurora Matias

It seems Walmart may have thrown down the gauntlet for CPG companies and for the #1 grocery chain in the US this is a big deal. In 2023, 59% of all Walmart sales were in the food/grocery category (a whopping $247.28 Billion -- yes with a "B"). FYI the #2 chain is Kroger who made $147B in 2023. Now with Walmart pushing more into private-label I would expect CPG companies to have some decisions ahead of them...do they still play in the same sandbox with Walmart or do they take their ball and go home? How do you beat a competitor if you can't be cheaper or faster? ----> What about innovation/R&D? ----> What about Food Safety/Quality? Is Quality better at big brand CPGs than Private Label? Not always but there are absolutely some no-brainers (hint - the private label eye drop debacle last year that flew under the radar for most of the general US population (link to article in comments). I work with a lot of private-label companies that do things the right way. How do I know? One area I recruit heavily is Food Safety/Quality and that's one question I always ask "Would you eat/drink your product?" For many, there IS a quality difference. I used to not think so, until I bought a store-brand shredded cheese one day not knowing the "real" difference versus my daughter's favorite Sargento and was quickly called out on it (she did not see the bag, just knew the texture, smell, and taste). So with many products there are differences! Now for R&D...one way to hold your ground or beat them is through innovation. Innovation remains a key differentiator in this competitive landscape. By staying on top of consumer trends and delivering unique offerings, CPG companies can not only hold their ground but also thrive in the face of evolving market dynamics. The emergence of Bettergoods signals a new chapter in the retail landscape, one where value and innovation intersect to redefine consumer expectations. As the industry continues to evolve, the question remains: How will CPG companies adapt to this changing paradigm? #cpgindustry #privatelabel #plma #forhireresults https://lnkd.in/gbUkdsM8

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CPG Marketing Leaders – Reality check ✔ time: If you’re fighting for share in the mass market trenches, you're probably well aware that we’re no longer in an era of reliable, consistent industry momentum… gone are the high single/double digit growth 📈 of the 2000s & 2010’s. You may be feeling the channels where you operate and the strength of your brand getting squeezed by niche premium players on the high end and PL / value players on the lower end. A fascinating recent McKinsey & Company Insight piece, “𝘙𝘦𝘴𝘤𝘶𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘋𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘥𝘦- 𝘈 𝘋𝘶𝘢𝘭 𝘈𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘢 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘶𝘮𝘦𝘳 𝘎𝘰𝘰𝘥𝘴 𝘐𝘯𝘥𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘺” packs a wallop of advice and offers a blueprint to leaders navigating these dynamics and challenging climate. (Link to article in first comment.) I’ll start with the tough news 😒: Sustainable, profitable growth is not a given, and won’t be achievable for even some best-in-class companies. Now for the good news 🙂 : leaders can cultivate a competitive advantage by understanding these dynamics, the resulting roadblocks, and with a commitment to evolve to overcome them. 🧗‍♀️ The Dual Agenda has two primary pillars: 1️⃣ 𝙋𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙛𝙤𝙡𝙞𝙤 𝙍𝙚𝙨𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙣𝙙 2️⃣ 𝙋𝙚𝙧𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙀𝙭𝙘𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚. Sounds simple, right? Not so much, as the experts at McK are happy to tell you. Taking these on requires: 🎯Capability evolution 🎯 Investment in brand fundamentals (my favorite ) 🎯 Innovation and technology-- AI driven and beyond 🎯 An agile operating models geared to test, learn and adapt, locally and at scale. Way too much to unpack in one post, so I’ll be breaking these two pillars down over the next week. Stay tuned! In the meantime, ask yourself: 𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙮 𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙛𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙢𝙚𝙜𝙖𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙨 𝙞𝙢𝙥𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙗𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙖𝙡𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙮, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙜𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙: 𝙙𝙤𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙜𝙖𝙥 𝙩𝙤 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙜𝙧𝙤𝙬𝙩𝙝 𝙖𝙨𝙥𝙞𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙜𝙧𝙤𝙬 𝙤𝙧 𝙨𝙝𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙠? #growthstrategy #macrotrends #brandstrategy

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📈 In Brick & Mortar, both liquid and powder protein have seen double digit growth over the last 3 years. Interestingly, over the last 52 weeks liquid protein sales have far surpassed traditional powder forms. Suggesting shoppers are more likely to purchase grab-and-go options in store. However you decide to get your protein, new innovations like "Protein Puffs" from VMS brands like Twin Peaks Ingredients keeps things interesting while finding nutrition that works for you. How have you been experimenting with your protein sources recently? Full article: https://lnkd.in/gAq7gWy6

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I'm excited and honored to have joined Perceptual Advisors as Managing Director, CPG/Food & Beverage Practice. I'm leading our global efforts to support brands in these growth categories that are projected to surpass $11 trillion globally by 2030. Since the announcement was published, here are the top questions people have asked me: Who is Perceptual Advisors? We're a unique communications, marketing, and public affairs firm with a team of more than 50 professionals around the globe all of whom have served in senior roles with iconic companies, in government, and with leading marketing & comms agencies. Why did I drink the PA Kool-Aid?  In short, it's because of the people and the value proposition we offer our clients. Those of us (like me) that have ample experience both on the in-house/brand and agency side can appreciate how compelling it is. People: Our team includes former senior executives across the globe from eBay, Visa, Tesla, AT&T, Aston Martin, Crispin Porter Bogusky, Burson Marsteller, Rolex, Proctor & Gamble, the U.S. Congress, and many more. They've successfully managed campaigns for companies like Facebook, AT&T, IBM, Ferrari, FedEx, HP, Unilever, Metlife, Mondelez, Symantec, Burger King, Allergan, SoftBank, Ford, and the list goes on. Value proposition that sets Perceptual Advisors apart: - Unparalleled Access to talent & capabilities: C-suite level professionals across industries, geographies and marketing/comms disciplines - All-senior team: No hand-offs to inexperienced staffers handling your business. - Hands-on approach: From strategy to execution, our entire senior-level team actually does the work. - Deep experience: Our team has successfully dealt with nearly every type of issue, challenge and opportunity CPG, F&B and most industries are moving at breakneck speed and facing unprecedented changes. We have a lean, agile and smart team of experts that deliver a strong ROI and successful outcomes quickly, efficiently and cost-effectively. Sound good? Reach out to me to catch-up and chat about how Perceptual Advisors can help you tackle some of your pain points and/or opportunities. Talk soon. #problemsolvers #allseniorteamallthetime #perceptualadvisors #opentowork #Food&Beverage #CPG

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I'm beyond HYPED to announce that Wild Bill's has rocketed into the top 5 fastest-growing products on RangeMe, sharing the spotlight with stellar brands like poppi (Mother Beverage), OLIPOP PBC, Perfy, and The Coca-Cola Company. It's thrilling to be recognized among such iconic names! Rocket Pop’s spot on this list transcends mere seasonal trendiness—it’s a testament to its year-round appeal and our commitment to authentically enhancing experiences wherever people gather. I might be a bit biased, but honestly, no one nails experiential, occasion-based selling quite like Wild Bill's. We're not just showing up; we're a major hit across an insane variety of events. I kid you not, we do over 400 events a year—everything from comic and anime conventions to e-sports competitions, county and state fairs, motorcycle rallies, air shows, military reunions, renaissance faires, civil war reenactments, regattas, car shows, steampunk festivals, Scottish and Highland games, Celtic festivals, Italian feasts, food truck festivals and more. At Wild Bill's, we don't just attend these events; we transform them, enhancing every experience with our unique flavors, one sip at a time! To discover more about the Wild Bill's event experience, please check out this video: https://lnkd.in/ewwDA96U NielsenIQ Byzzer powered by NielsenIQ ECRM Allison Ellsworth Vasa Martinez #CPG #Beverage #Retail #Grocery #Foodservice #Events #VeteranOwned

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Dear budding CPG Entrepreneurs, You can’t afford not to FOCUS on 1 category This business is filled with things you can’t control The Huge companies trying to squash you & a sea of competition that is UNIQUE to each category And You want to un focus and enter more categories? You just doubled your uncontrollable challenges Doesn’t sound like a good move to me 🤷‍♂️ Your FOCUS is the one thing you can control! The more you narrow your FOCUS on one thing The more you can stack the odds in your favor 💰Become the expert 💰Become the category king for consumers 💰Become the master of things you can control ✌️

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The main point that stood out to me in Walmart's Adaptive Retail Report was: "nearly 50% of shoppers want to receive suggested items based on their preferences, mood, local weather, schedule, etc." Here's why.... 🛒 Shoppers Want Personal, Not Personalized: Ritz-Carlton and others have proven customization is the new luxury in service and hospitality. Now it blends into retail but this doesn't just mean predictive software or product suggestions. Many brands will read the report and summarize it as a desire for convenience and efficiency. This is foolish. 👁️ Notice the report says mood, weather, and even schedule. In this ever-increasing digital world, we crave intimacy. We want personal. ✍️ As I wrote on Thunq on June 28th: We experience customization on a daily basis. Whether that’s the toppings you like to get on your frozen yogurt or your choice of protein or beans on your Chipotle bowl this can even be expanded to choosing whether you pay monthly or yearly for a plan you sign up for. Customization has proven very useful for not only businesses, but also the users who choose to customize. As humans, we like to leave our fingerprints on things and we truly enjoy when something feels tailor-made just for us. Personalization on the other hand has been spurred by the advancements in algorithms. The intelligence of big data collection has allowed algorithms to start personalizing our experiences. We experience this daily as well, whether the algorithm chooses what you listen to next on Spotify or what you watch next on Netflix, it does feel nice to have something curated to your specific likes and dislikes. Once again, we as humans love that feeling of something being slightly more tailored to who we are as individuals. Now, as you might have noticed customization is based on the user initiating the changes while personalization is done for the user. As subtle as this may be, this is a very big difference for not only the user but the business as well. 🤖 The Walmart report confirms my belief that the next phase of customization is much more personal. I do believe it will get to a point where AI can predictively address emotion. Even Apple’s recent announcement of Apple Intelligence is emphasizing the focus on our individual phones. Your phone can tell them a lot about how you’re feeling or what’s going on in your life that day. Perhaps you’re sad because you got a text about a sick family member or your search revealed that you are looking for a new job. The intelligence will also know of high points in your life based on the photos you take the moment you share the destinations you visit or even the positive increase in the health of your body. For retailers, this is an opportunity to leverage emerging technology. Especially when you consider that most brands will latch on to the low-hanging fruit of efficiency and convenience. (Articles in comments ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️ ) #retail #retailstrategy #walmart #AI #brand

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In the cutthroat world of CPG marketing, it's easy to put up a tough front. But here's a juicy truth: vulnerability isn't a weakness. Being open and genuine can set you apart like a gourmet veggie burger at a fast-food joint. 😋 Over the past few months, I've spoken to many, many business leaders and various professionals and I've witnessed a few common fears that seem to be holding some of you back. 1. Fear of Judgment: Worrying your honest moments will be met with scrutiny. 2. Fear of Rejection: Thinking your true self might not be "good enough." 3. Fear of Failure: Dreading that showing your struggles means admitting defeat. But guess what? Just like adding a pinch of salt to a sweet dessert enhances the flavor, a dash of vulnerability can elevate your game. Here's how: 1. Share Your Stories: Like a well-aged wine, your personal anecdotes can deepen connections with your audience. I've connected with people over our shared love of Bridgerton (what did you think about season 3?!), or my latest hairstyle (who knew hair could inspire so many vulnerable conversations), or even how we share kids of the same age. Bottom line, authentic stories (and connections) resonate. 2. Embrace Feedback: Think of feedback as a necessary ingredient—like yeast in bread-making. It helps you rise. When feedback is constructive and offered to an open and prepared individual, it can unlock serious marketing magic. I was raised in a house where I received buckets of unsolicited feedback that I grew to embrace (thanks mom). 🤣 In truth, this prepared me to be a more active listener and critical thinker. 3. Show Your Humanity: People relate to people, not perfection. Look, sometimes there is a random typo in my blog posts. Will I shrivel up and die of embarrassment because of it?! No! I am a human, not an AI bot. My theory, be the organic, unfiltered juice in a market full of artificial flavors. 🧘‍♀️ So, next time you're crafting your marketing message or maybe your personal brand, ask yourself—are you presenting the polished, picture-perfect façade, or are you sharing the raw, real story behind your story? Remember, in the world of CPG, the best connections are often made when we let down our guard and show a little heart. ❤️ Cheers! Here is a photo of my son demonstrating his version of vulnerability. As he said, "even football players stop to smell flowers, mom." 😊 Want to (re)connect and whip up something authentic together? Start here 👇 https://lnkd.in/gWVEYkbp #CPG #marketing #vulnerablity #fear #feedback #humanity

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Chick Fil A recently announced that their 2023 avg sales per restaurant was a STAGGERING $9.3M Why do you think Chick Fil A is killing the competition? Fast Food Avg Sales Per Restaurant (2022) Raising Canes: $5.4m Shake Shack: $3.8m Whataburger: $3.7m McDonalds: $3.6m Culvers: $3.3m Panera: $3.2m Chipotle: $2.8m Krispy Kreme: $2.8m To me, it’s very simple. 1) They have the best customer service across every business in every industry. Quite frankly, it’s not even close. 2) They keep their menu small, without trying new concepts/items all the time. They triple down on what works. 3) Their sauce is a household name and available for purchase outside of their restaurants. 4) They have the same real estate strategy as Top Golf. Extremely strategic, long term not short term, growing markets over saturated ones. Location, location, location! 5) Did I mention they have the best customer service of all time? When you go viral daily because of the way you treat your customers.. the money takes care of itself.

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Reflecting on this monumental moment, I wanted to wait until the news was "official" before sharing my thoughts and feelings... Almost 7 years ago, a good friend now who started as a good client invited me to his new office in NJ to explore a plant-based protein company he was considering acquiring. That's when I first encountered OWYN. Honestly, I wasn't sure what to make of it initially. Plant-based, vegan protein drinks weren't in my usual "repertoire" of ideation and marketing. But after trying the product that day, I knew I wanted to be part of the journey. And what an incredible journey it has been! Throughout the last 7 years, in my capacity as a "strategic advisor," I've embraced a multitude of roles and responsibilities, working closely with a diverse array of talented leaders. From individuals who made significant contributions from the outset and have since moved on, to those who have ascended to leadership positions, such as CEO Mark O. and Chief Sales Officer Matt OConnell, as well as "more recent" additions like CMO Julia Perez, who came in and made an immediate and substantial impact, our collaboration has been characterized by passion, mutual respect, and an unwavering commitment to innovation. Now, fast forward to today. After countless hours of strategic discussions, meetings, and partnerships, we've achieved something remarkable. We've taken a niche brand, crafted with the finest ingredients, and found the perfect successor in our recent acquisition. If you notice, even as a "consultant" I always will refer to it as we. When I work with brands, especially from day 1, I consider myself a true part of the team. Being part of a brand from inception to this pivotal moment is incredibly special. As a matter of fact, it's been a huge goal of mine since that fateful day 7 years ago. I'm eager to see what lies ahead for OWYN and hopeful that I can continue contributing to a product and brand that means so much to me and countless others, especially our consumers. #OWYN #PlantBased #Acquisition #Journey #Gratitude #Business #CPG #SimplyGood https://lnkd.in/emY6UT2g

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This is an interesting case study by Thingtesting. They are by no means the only vehicle by which to drive unit sales velocity at retail but it drives to the heart of a critical axiom for CPG: 👉As hard as it may seem to get a product ONTO the shelves at a major retailer, it is much MORE difficult to get OFF of the shelves and into consumer’s hands. When I was in Purchasing at Whole Foods Market and CMO at Lucky’s Market, we always tried to underscore this point to every brand that we approved. There are over 20,000 SKUs competing for the consumer’s attention in most retailers, and 40% of purchases are still made impulsively at the POS. When your product makes it onto the planogram and APL, that is when the real work begins, and units/Sku/store/week rules the day. 👉Demo support, promotional activity, merchandising (and increasingly) tech-enabled solutions like this are going to make the difference between the product getting onto the shelf, and STAYING on the shelf. This is a marathon, not a sprint. 👉The brands who have the broadest base of true Omnichannel support, a diversity of DTC and retail placements with Early Adopters, and a comprehensive sales execution strategy will always rise to the top. Pod Foods Dirty Hands Flowspace #cpg #innovaiton #omnichannel

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The $5 Meal Deal is a new special offer from McDonald's, consisting of four Chicken McNuggets, fries, a drink, and a choice of a double burger or a chicken sandwich. McDonald's hopes this will reverse a decline in customer visits. The American consumer is showing signs of fatigue, with fewer diners at McDonald's and declining sales for Hershey, Kraft Heinz, and Starbucks. Procter & Gamble's shares slid after weakening sales growth. The US consumer is a vital backdrop for the presidential election, with inflation becoming a principal issue. The Federal Reserve's high benchmark interest rate has made it more costly for consumers to buy homes and cars. More Americans are struggling to pay off credit card debt, and the labor market has become tougher for workers. The Fed's campaign against inflation is showing results, but persistent inflation is weighing on consumers. Walmart and Target have imposed temporary price cuts on thousands of products. McDonald's is offering $500 hiring bonuses for new recruits. Customers are curtailing their outings to other establishments due to rising prices. #usconsumerspending #mcdonalds #inflation #discountsales

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Morning PSA: If you're as obsessed with CPG as I am, you'll want to hear about my latest discovery at Whole Foods! I am a bit of a weirdo, as I LOVE grocery shopping. I love exploring all the brands and seeing the branding and reading the labels. I am always on the look out for new and exciting brands to try. Today I'm talking about my recent find - Pop & Bottle I am sipping on their Classic Cold Brew Oat Milk Latte + Coffee Berry. Why did this product jump out to me? The packaging is where it all begins—sleek, sophisticated, and definitely shelf-eye-catching. The colors and matte wrapping are obviously visually stunning but it also has an elevated and premium look and feel. Which makes the price point or $3 on sale and typically $4 a can seem more reasonable for a coffee RTD. The design features like the continuous black line that leads up to the lip add a striking touch, making each can look like a part of a curated collection. The name Pop & Bottle makes me feel like we should be at the club popping bottles which for a coffee brand could be a bit of a contrast in emotions. Especially for a brand that feels very high end or sophisticated. I love the copy on the can and the information that they are sharing. It all begins with the flavor. Classic Cold Brew Oat Milk Latte + Coffee Berry. So I am expecting a classic latte flavor profile with some mild sweetness from the coffee berries - which is perfectly represented when drinking this product. Additionally, they highlight attributes such as "dairy free" and "no refined sugar" These design and copy features are consistent across all SKUs which makes navigating their options very easy. Each packaging variation also cleverly indicates its unique selling point at the end, making it simple for consumers to understand what's special about each option. Pop & Bottle might just be your next favorite find if you value both aesthetics and ingredient integrity. Have you tried it yet? What are your thoughts? Any other brands that have been standing out to you recently?

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LISTENING It's probably the MOST IMPORTANT skill a CPG supplier can have, especially if they are seeking to take their company to the next level of growth. Listen closely to buyers, uncover their pain points, and figure out how you can help them. If you listen closely, they will point the way. During my recent panel discussion with Jack Savdie of Global Beauty Care and Osman Mithavayani of Okay Pure Naturals at ECRM's recent Beauty Sessions, I asked them how they grew from small family businesses with a limited number of SKUs to the successful companies they are now with hundreds of SKUs on retail shelves. Both attributed their growth from spending time listening to buyers' needs. and finding ways to solve for them. When you do this over the course of many years and thousands of meetings which each of them have had during the 10+ years they have been attending ECRM Sessions), you get a good idea of where you should take your company. But it's not just the meetings; it's the hours they also spend building relationships outside of the meetings -- during the meals and networking functions at Sessions, phone conversations and office visits -- that also give them time to listen. Mekor Corporation is another example. While CEO Sapan N. wasn't on my panel, I interviewed him recently about how he grew his business 10X over the past decade. No surprise -- he said the same thing: He listened to buyers and learned what their needs were. And then he found a way to address them (see a link to my blog on Mekor in the comments). So sure -- when you meet with a buyer you need to spend time pitching your products; that goes without saying. But also spend some time listening. Learning. And finding out all the ways in which you can help them. Because helping them is also helping you. #sales #smallbusiness #cpg #retail #ecrmrangeme GORUCK

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From MMR ➡ "In the first quarter of this year alone, retail and foodservice buyers have sat through 34,342 product pitches during meetings with suppliers at ECRM’s category-specific Sessions, and the company is on track to host 100,000 of these meetings by year-end. At a time when pitch slams at industry events are all the rage, it’s easy to overlook the fact that ECRM has been providing a platform for brands to pitch buyers year-round since its launch in 1994. "Already this year ECRM has seen its biggest Session in its 30-year history (its February Generic Rx Session) and has sold out some of its upcoming Sessions. Indeed, one could say that ECRM’s transition back to fully in-person Sessions for 2024 has been very well received." Blown away by the coverage of ECRM's successful return to fully in person Sessions in the latest issue of Mass Market Retailers! The story perfectly demonstrates why we are all excited to be back in person, and the work we have done to make each Session a memorable experience! Check out the full story here: https://lnkd.in/erC8Rcpv #smallbusiness #cpg #foodservice #retail #pharmacy #ecrmrangeme

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You know which is the one business strategy that doesn’t fail? 🤔 Making an impeccable product that has unlimited demand. ⚓️ That’s me, pretending to look cute at one of my favorite candy stores - Parkside Candies in Buffalo, New York. Parkside Candies is a candy store that sells, assorted chocolates, candies, and ice cream. And they have been doing it since 100+ years. It is funny to me how so many people get hung up on: - Strategy - Business cases - Market assessments  - SWOT And whatnot... 🤷‍♂️ There is a reason why AI and automation will never replace businesses like roofing, gardening etc. Those businesses have an infinite demand and need quality supply. Codie A. Sanchez is the biggest advocate of “boring businesses” because three things that boring businesses do exceptionally well are: 1️⃣ Have a low barrier to entry 2️⃣ Make money 3️⃣ Hold real value in terms of assets and infrastructure The reason why Parkside Candies has been around for 100+ years is simple: 👇 🥇 Product and experience: Who doesn’t love candies? Kids, adults everyone loves candies and chocolates. Now. You can always buy candies and chocolates from Walmart or any other big chain store, but people come to Parkside for the experience. Nothing beats the experience of driving to the store sitting in the booth with your family and have a good laugh. 🏢 Segment: As long as there are humans there will be a demand of chocolates and candy. Buffalo is not the biggest cities in the world. Yet, Parkside has survived due to an impeccable product but also an infinite demand of candies and chocolates. 📝 The lesson here is - so many times people justify their inaction to start a business or build a company because... ❌ They are waiting to be interrupted by a big bold idea.  ❌ Or some breakthrough realization that no one has had or  ❌ Funding to launch and scale Whereas.. they can simply start by knocking on someone’s door and telling them that they will charge $10 an hour for cutting grass vs $20 as they don’t have the equipment to do so. 🔁 Rinse repeat and voila one day you can buy your equipment. 🔁 Rinse repeat and voila now you can hire your 1st simple. 💡 If you pay attention to one of the most success entrepreneurs, two pieces of advice they all give is: 1️⃣ Stick to 1st principles (common sense) 2️⃣ Don’t think of “creating demand”. Fill the demand by supply. You can be unique via your competitors in infinite ways. Story, branding, pricing, offers, etc. but one thing you cannot do - is create demand that doesn’t exist.  — Liked this article or learned something new? 🔔 Follow me Rochan Kakar for more on personal development, startup growth and entrepreneurship #entrepreneurship #buisnessstrategy

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Tequila!   Many large players such as White Claw, and The Boston Beer Company (maker of Truly) are expanding their offerings and releasing tequila-flavored ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails as consumers are increasingly turning to tequila offerings in the beverage alcohol sector.   I had the opportunity to share my insights and thoughts on this surging trend with The Food Institute. In the article, I emphasized how innovations in ready-to-drink (RTD) formats, including tequila-based seltzers and margaritas, are meeting consumer demand for novel flavors. Additionally, I pointed out that tequila production has remained stable despite global supply chain disruptions and highlighted the increasing consumer preference for high-quality artisanal spirits.   Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gB9f-3Ci   #Tequila #BeverageIndustry #MarketTrends #ConsumerInsights #RTDCocktails

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Today in 'Innovations Nobody Asked For:' Nestlé's launching a line of food for #Ozempic users. 🥦 Dunno about you, but this has me feeling the true dystopian absurdity of the current cultural zeitgeist in one neat package. Crappy diet food for image-obsessed people literally brain hacking to curb hunger (a natural and necessary bodily function that allows us to...live). 🙅‍♀️ Less of this, please, and more #brands that can make a meaningful impact. 💥 #marketing #brandstrategy #cpg

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eCommerce & CPG Strategy: Your Circle 💙 Go where we are celebrated, not where we are tolerated. Justin Wright said it incredibly well. See his full post below. Summary: It's not selfish to distance yourself from people who drain your energy. It's self-care. Surround yourself with people who: • Lift you up • Inspire you to grow • Celebrate your successes And who always have your back. Life's too short to spend time with people who bring you down or cause you distress. It's okay to let go of relationships that: 🚫 Make you feel small 🚫 Cause you constant stress 🚫 Don't understand or support your goals Instead, focus on building a circle of people who: ✅ Stand up for you, even when you're not around ✅ Believe in you, even when you doubt yourself ✅ Challenge you to be your best self, always And remember, it's not about quantity. It's about quality. Be sure to share with your Circle and thank them. If we want to go fast, we go alone. If we want to go far, we go together. Ways to get in touch: The Retail eCommerce Club The CPG View Pattern® If you enjoy our content, check out our eCommerce newsletter. ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/eMx4Zh2k #ecommerce #digital #omnichannel #strategy #cmo #cdo #ceo #cro #leadership #retailecommerceclub #cpg #privateequity #playtowin

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