Oskar Kaszubski

The Path to Purchase Institute Retail Media Summit is SOLD OUT, but Pathformance is here! Retail media is one of the most talked about subject in our industry, so we are excited to dive deep into this topic with the top minds in the business! We are most excited about discussing these hot topics: - Investing for incremental brand growth - Understanding the holistic impact of retail media - Applying measurement to retail media Will we see you there? We world love to connect. Message sally@pathformance.com to set up time with our team! See you in Chicago! #pathformance #measurement #P2PI #RetailMediaSummit

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If you are not in Marketing, you may be wondering how the Google leak impacts you. I discuss that in my latest Foundry Management & Technology article. #SEO #Digitalmarketing #websites https://lnkd.in/g4ZhzvyU

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eCommerce & CPG: The Great Inflate 🎢 Interesting article and visual by the Chartr team. Fun Facts: (2) 🧠 20%-30% — higher avg. prices vs. 2020 🧠 40% — higher prices vs. 2019 (McDonald’s) By the numbers (2020 vs 2024): (9) 🧳+46% — auto insurance 🧳+36% — gas 🧳+34% — energy 🧳+29% — used vehicles 🧳+25% — food away from home 🧳+23% — shelter 🧳+21% — all items 🧳+19% — personal care 🧳+10% — medical care Themes: (4)
💰”Arguably the biggest problem is that economists tend to focus on the bleeding edge of the economic data, often looking not just at the level of inflation, but estimates of its trajectory — is it accelerating, decelerating, etc.”

💰”If inflation is 10% annually for 2 years, and then drops to 5% in the third year, economists and investors may rejoice at the progress, but almost no-one else will blink. That’s because the cumulative effect of that sequence of events is a 27% increase in prices over 3 years… which people notice when they buy butter.” 💰”Many prices are now 20-30% higher than they were in 2020 — and, while inflation has cooled substantially, to just 3.4% as of the latest CPI report, that still means costs are rising.” 💰”McDonald’s went so far as to comment directly on its own price rises, after videos of expensive Big Mac meals, including one for $18, went viral. McDonald’s says its prices are up 40% in the last 5 years, reflecting a broader rise in the cost of labor, paper, and food.” #ecommerce #digital #omnichannel #strategy #cmo #cdo #ceo #cro #leadership #retailecommerceclub #cpg #privateequity #playtowin #thecpgview

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We are spending 31% less on #RetailMedia to get the exact same sales. How? Both #Target and #BestBuy (and others) have a Retail Media solution where the search bidding is a first price auction vs. second price. #Amazon and #Walmart are second price. What is the difference? In it's simplest form... 🖋 First price auction is where what you bid is what you pay 🖋 Second price auction is you only pay ~$0.01 more than the next "best" bid (Amazon, Walmart, etc.) ("Best" is in air quotes because it's not that simple) Without strong bid strategies, intelligence and frankly a lot of attention to the data, a set it and forget it strategy for non-Amazon/Walmart search spend strategies can lead to overpaying. For the last 4 weeks, we are currently working with a client that by finding the right (lower) bids on their current non-branded targets, with 31% less spend we reaching the same: ➡ Total Ad Sales ➡ Total Reach ➡ Total Engagement (CTR + Absolute Clicks) ➡ Same Share of Voice The hope is that these dollars can now be redeployed to test new strategies and invest in other opportunities from the same retailer. Note - I'm not saying it's just that easy. It's all about understanding the retailer platform and not assuming #WalmartConnect is the same as #AmazonAds, #AmazonAds are not the same as #Roundel, #BestBuyAds, etc. I remain bullish that finding a real expert is important vs. someone's side job. The Bluebird Group has a broad set of experts across all #RetailMedia channels. For those traditional first price auction experts, I'd love to hear what strategies you find to be the most impactful!

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Let's look at the trends for the big retailers and you will see where the attention is going. As consumer trends evolve, so does the retail landscape. Recently, Walmart has been capturing attention as it begins to cater to higher-income shoppers by introducing more upscale brands into its merchandise mix. This strategic shift is not just about diversifying products but also about redefining shopping experiences across economic spectrums. Walmart is also investing in more sustainable practices as it was announced in Octuber 2023 about embracing regenerative agriculture together with Sams. What do you think about this? I have seen leather products in their shelves and website and that is fantastic instead of products made with PU or plastic. Will you look in Walmart for better quality products? #walmart #luxurymarket

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AI is exploding across the retail industry and yet most retailers are ill-prepared for taking full advantage of AI’s benefits. While the largest retailers - companies like Walmart, Kroger, and a few others - are transforming their massive businesses into digital operating and business models, traditional retailers continue to be hamstrung by poor quality data and application silos. Developing data discipline, data diversification, and speeding up the gathering, understanding, and use of data are essential to survival in a time of exponential technology growth. Moving to a unified data foundation speeds development and deployment of new AI capabilities. In today’s world, speed doesn’t kill, being slow does. So are you on the path to becoming a Bionic Retailer? Bionic Retail is available here: https://lnkd.in/gNDY8baC #retail #retailstrategy #retailtech #retailinnovation #FMCGretail #supermarkets #CPGretail #grocery #groceryinnovation #grocerytech #grocerystrategy #AI #retailAI Center for Advancing Retail & Technology (CART) #bionicretail #CEO #CMO #CIO #COO https://bionicretail.com/

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Walmart’s bettergoods private-label brand might be just what consumers need to make a healthier, more sustainable leap in their grocery choices. Bettegoods is launching hundreds of products that feature trend-forward, plant-based alternatives, and products "made without" artificial additives. Healthier food options have always been desired, but out of reach for far too many. Walmart’s sheer scale and ability to lean into this trend by offering hundreds of bettergoods products for under $5 will be a game-changer. While bettergoods is a step in the right direction, consumers must also weigh ethical sourcing, supply chain integrity, and sustainability. By aligning values with brands that prioritize transparency and ethical practices, we can drive positive change for a healthier planet and society. #bettergoods #walmart ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍

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🔍 Consumer Behavior Insight: Trust vs. Value Fascinating to see that while 94% of US consumers surveyed do NOT trust Temu, 68% still shop there. This highlights how powerful prices, ease of use, and deals can be. Despite an instinctual feeling of distrust (System 1 thinking), more deliberate, analytical thinking (System 2) considers financial benefits strong enough to outweigh trust issues. Read more: https://lnkd.in/e7DbveKB

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Further on the topic of AI in retail despite the tumultuous times, retailers aren't just surviving -- they're actively thriving; expanding and leveraging massive technology shifts to drive change in 2024. And its a HUGE shift - nearly 75% of retailers plan to expand their Artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure in the next 2 years and more than $140 billion globally is planned to be invested by retailers in Generative AI solutions by 2027, compared with $16 billion in 2023. AI deployment is expected to grow nine-fold in the next two years, with a focus on enhancing store analytics, loss prevention, and asset protection to reduce costs and lead to higher profits. AI also plays a meaningful role in enhancing and personalizing the consumer shopping experience. The result? A refreshed retail landscape injected with vitality and choice. For an in-depth look at how AI is reshaping the retail industry and what these developments might mean for you, check out the article below. #artificialintelligence #retail https://lnkd.in/ev25xhuc

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It's been a tough 18 months to be in DTC. Many are sitting on excess inventory following the supply chain disruptions of 2022. Costs and fees are up across the board, sales are flat to down for many. If they're in retail stores - payments are slow and they're learning some hard lessons about margin protection. Meanwhile, suppliers are keenly aware of this and have tightened terms - jeopardizing deliveries for the all important Q4. If you're struggling. Be decisive and be quick. Pretty much every potential buyer/investor has really good deal flow right now. https://lnkd.in/gU2vU_Va

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Interesting article on MediaPost the other day about Walmart’s changing business model as the company grows alternative revenue streams like retail media to support further lowering retail prices. Beyond advertising, membership fees, marketplace transactions, fulfillment services, and data monetization are all growing fast and providing high margins. What’s not mentioned is the digital transformation of Walmart’s business and operating model that underpins all that revenue growth. Walmart’s focus on creating a unified data foundation - bringing together the vast amount of data from across the enterprise - facilitates the ever-faster development and deployment of new AI powered capabilities. This fundamental transformation of the traditional retail business model is something that most retailers are failing to fully appreciate. And yet it is this transformation that enables the rapid deployment of new AI capabilities that, in turn, power an ever-growing performance gap vs slower moving competitors. All this and more is discussed in my most recent book, Bionic Retail: How to Thrive in an Exponential World. Many - most - retailers are failing to understand that competition has fundamentally changed, that in a world of continuously accelerating technology growth, what worked yesterday may no longer guarantee success. Bionic Retail is available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Amplify Publishing, and wherever books are sold. https://lnkd.in/dwWjxK9a Center for Advancing Retail & Technology (CART) MediaPost Walmart #retail #FMCG #CPG #RMN #strategy #tech #innovation #digital #transformation #disruption #supermarket #grocery #bionicretail https://lnkd.in/dUq2NEkw

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This is a good article on retail media, but I would add two things for the C-Suite to consider. Structure follows strategy. I still see many CPG companies that have not wrestled to the ground how retail media fits into the structure of their financial budget structure (trade, brand) and their organizational structure (sales, marketing, centralized/decentralized). I was in a meeting recently with a company that had 5 stakeholders weighing in on retail media strategy and execution between consultants, agencies, and internal resources. This lack of clear structure is sometimes a symptom of the absence of a well thought out retail media strategy to begin with but we are also seeing structure get in the way of executing a well crafted strategy. Internal constraints, entrenched thinking, turf wars, and the preverbial fly ball that drops between well intentioning teammates can get in the way of optimized retail media performance. Not saying these are easy fixes but they are controllables. They are worth attending to in every CPG organization.

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In this episode, Transworld client Laura Haftel tells the listeners how she became a store owner after being a buyer for Macy's and the Gap. Through this experience, she gained valuable insights and a clear vision of what the future holds. 🙌 👉 Listen to this episode or one of the many others on #thedealboardpodcast today! https://lnkd.in/dUrr2-nd #podcast #businesspodcast #episode #interview #sellerstory #businessstory #businessowner #ownabusiness #listen #pod #thedealboard

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It was the perfect week for Alvarez & Marsal Consumer and Retail Group's Truett Horne and Jeremy Levine to join Chris Walton and me on the Omni Talk Retail #fastfive because the headlines were filled with questions only these consultants could help answer. Together we covered: -Target reducing the prices of 5,000 SKUs -Walmart expanding their #NeighborhoodMarket concepts -Gopuff doing 24/7 delivery AND #aldi price matches in the UK -the LEGO Group tying company #ESG scores to employee bonuses -hims & hers's brilliant retailing move selling #wegovy dupes and temporarily changing what we buy in #grocerystores We also get Truett's "must-have" Costco Wholesale birthday party food, and see if Jeremy is going with fish or chicken at Long John Silver's, LLC's "Sea-cret Society." You do not want to miss this! Thanks to Alvarez & Marsal Consumer and Retail Group, Avalara, Mirakl, Wiliot, and Sezzle for making each week's #RetailFastFive a possibility. Check out the full episode below or wherever you get your podcasts.

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Embracing the AI Renaissance in Retail: A Vision for the Future In a recent keynote at the Zeta Global Intelligence Conference, AI futurist Zack Kass illuminated the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in reshaping the retail landscape. Kass, the pioneering former head of go-to-market at OpenAI, underscored the critical role of executive commitment in harnessing AI's capabilities to revolutionize business models and consumer experiences. 🌟 Visionary Insights: Kass’s perspectives extend beyond mere technological adoption; he envisions an imminent human renaissance powered by AI. From drastically reducing the cost of goods and services to curing diseases and enhancing the quality of life, his forecast for AI’s impact on society is profound and far-reaching. 🔍 Strategic Implementation: For businesses, the path to leveraging AI effectively lies in reimagining industry norms from the ground up. Companies leading the charge are those whose leaders not only recognize AI’s potential but are also ready to rethink their entire operational approach. 👥 Human-Centric AI: The discussion also touched on the inevitable changes AI will bring to the workforce. While AI may commoditize routine skills, it lacks the capacity for empathy, vision, and creativity—traits that are quintessentially human and increasingly valuable in a digital-first world. 📈 Operational Excellence: Kass highlighted the dual role of AI in enhancing customer personalization akin to scenes from Minority Report, where every interaction is uniquely tailored, and streamlining operations to allow human creativity and strategic thinking to flourish. 🚀 Ethical Considerations and Human Impact: As organizations integrate AI, addressing ethical concerns and focusing on upskilling employees are paramount. The goal is to enhance—not replace—the human workforce, fostering a culture of innovation and inclusivity. As we stand on the brink of this AI-driven renaissance, the challenge for today’s leaders is clear: embrace and steer this powerful technology to drive business success and enrich human lives and society at large. https://lnkd.in/dvGKembX #ArtificialIntelligence #RetailTechnology #Leadership #Innovation #DigitalTransformation

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Live Event Today! Join Rick Watson, Joe Risico, JD, CPA, and me at 1:00 PM ET for a webinar about Delivering The Modern Brand Promise. At RMW Commerce, we have an opinion about the state of affairs in the world of #commerce. We believe we are transitioning to a new era: the Era of Efficiency. Leaving behind the eras of Growth at all costs (including your business in many cases) and Profit, there is a new metric in town: Efficiency. Consumer behavior is changing, and as a result, consumers' expectations are changing. There is a new brand promise: the modern brand promise. We will talk to you today about the strategies and solutions available to Deliver The Modern Brand Promise. Avoid being behind the times. Sign up. You don't want to miss it! See you today! https://lnkd.in/eisAa7pZ

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Retailer execs who speak at tradeshows suffer from what my college fraternity brothers used to call BOTTLE THEORY (yes - a drinking reference) – in the form of exaggerated and overhyped metrics…let me explain At every ecommerce show, each speaker gets up on stage and talks about how every initiative they’ve worked on added 20%+ here and there. When added up, you would think their business is up over 200% And that’s every retailer on stage Yet we know retail is soft overall right now We either stink at math or we have a propensity to exaggerate on stage. The BOTTLE THEORY in college was similar. After a big night at a party, the next day my fraternity brothers would brag about how much they drank. It was a ritual Chubbs had 5 shots Smurf took down 6 Woody (that’s me) had 4 Squid led the pack with 7 and and and And when we totaled how many shots we’d all imbibed, it was well over 100 yet we only had one magnun of Senators Club Vodka which contains only about 30 shots!! This week is the The Lead Summit in NYC and I’ll be there And I will be thinking about the Bottle Theory for each and every speaker session. It would be refreshing for an exec for once to get up on stage and share lessons of what didn't work and why. Vulnerability and authenticity would go much farther. Anyone wanna do a shot with me at the Lead Summit? xxoo

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A big thank you to Corporate Disk Company for featuring us in their article "Behind the Digital Storefront: Tips and Trials of E-Commerce Entrepreneurs." It's an honor to be recognized among such innovative and inspiring entrepreneurs. #Ecommerce #Entrepreneurship #DigitalMarketing https://lnkd.in/e7X25Efz

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What's New to The Street... Target’s Supply-Chain Chief, Gretchen McCarthy, reveals how turning stores into fulfillment centers for same-day delivery revolutionized their logistics. 🛒🚚 How do you think this strategy will impact the future of retail? 👉🏻Follow New To The Street for more! #Target #SupplyChain #RetailInnovation #SameDayDelivery #businessnews #business #news #newtothestreet

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