Drive Wheel LLC

Coke has long claimed Santa Claus for its Christmas campaigns, but this year, #Pepsi is shaking things up. In a bold new ad, Santa is caught switching to a Pepsi Zero! Pepsi even took to the streets of New York to survey Santas and announced that 8 out of 10 Santas preferred Pepsi. With the two soda giants going back and forth, it’ll be interesting to see if Coke fights back and reclaims its holiday icon. Want to stay on top of the latest #marketing #trends? Join one of DriveWheel’s #peergroups!

Imagine not having to wait for delivery drivers to pull into your driveway. Amazon’s next-gen delivery drone has been unveiled. It’s designed for speed and efficiency, flying closer to the ground and currently being tested near their Arizona fulfillment center. Of course, it has some limits (like a 5lb max carry weight, and a 60min flying time), so it’ll be interesting to see if drones take off or remain a niche option. Want to stay in the loop on the latest #supplychain trends and innovations? Join one of DriveWheel's #peergroups!

Nostalgia is taking over marketing, but the rise of "nostalgia-washing" shows how tricky this strategy can be. When done right, it sparks emotional connections, but when it feels forced, it fails. For instance, Frito-Lay featured flip phones in its ads to appeal to Gen X and Millennials, while brands like Sprite and Gatorade have revived old slogans from past campaigns. The key to success is staying true to your brand’s identity. The secret to success is staying true to your brand’s identity. For today’s consumers, especially Gen Z, nostalgia only works if it feels real. Want to stay up to date on the latest #marketing and #consumer trends? Join a Drive Wheel #peergroup!

The Kroger-Albertsons merger is facing lawsuits and pushback, and it’s no surprise since this deal could completely reshape the grocery industry. While some argue it will create efficiencies and lower prices, others worry it could reduce competition and hurt smaller players. For retailers, it’s a critical moment to see how this merger impacts the market. Do you want to stay up-to-date on the latest #retail and #grocery trends? Join one of Drive Wheel's #peergroups!

McDonald’s is rolling out a new McValue platform next year, making it easier for customers to enjoy affordable options. They're keeping the $5 meal deal as well as adding in a buy one, add one for a $1 deal. This is a big move as restaurants adapt to rising costs and the growing demand for budget-friendly meals. Do you think McDonald's new savings menu will draw consumers in? Want to stay up-to-date with #foodservice and consumer #trends? Join one of Drive Wheel's #peergroups!

Shopping for Thanksgiving dinner didn’t always feel so expensive, but this year, many consumers are planning more budget-friendly celebrations as the cost of holiday staples continues to rise. For retailers, this is an opportunity to offer deals on meal bundles and traditional favorites to meet shifting needs. Consumers, meanwhile, are looking for ways to keep traditions alive without breaking the bank. They're even shopping at multiple grocery stores to find the best deals. What do you think retailers can do to help make Thanksgiving more affordable? Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #retail and consumer #trends? Join one of Drive Wheel's #peergroups!

Pepsi sent its team undercover to fast-food chains partnered with their competitor, Coca-Cola, to learn more about customer preferences. This creative move shows how serious Pepsi is about understanding what people want. The campaign aimed to highlight that every burger tastes better with a Pepsi, showcasing their product as the perfect pairing. This was an interesting marketing move by Pepsi but proves how hands-on research like this can help build stronger campaigns and partnerships. Want to stay up to date on the latest #marketing and #foodservice trends and ideas? Join a Drive Wheel #peergroup!

The Sunset Cocktail Reception Happy hour is this weekend! Come see Theo, Jim, and Fiona for a night of complimentary drinks (free for members) and networking. If you haven't already, please make sure to register for the reception and the WISE annual meeting being held at PLMA - Private Label Manufacturers Association. Sunset Cocktail Reception  Hyatt Regency O'Hare, Rosemont, IL November 17 | 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

The Drive Wheel Team is excited to be headed to the PLMA - Private Label Manufacturers Association tradeshow this weekend. You can catch Theo speaking at the Executive Education Sessions on Saturday, and Theo and Jim will be walking the show floor. Drive Wheel is happy to sponsor the WISE Happy Hour on Sunday from 4:00-6:00p at the Hyatt (RSVP at https://wisediversity.org/). Please stop by! #groceryindustry #peergroups #PLMA2024

Hy-Vee, Inc. is reducing self-checkout lanes in some Iowa stores after feedback indicated customers prefer more personal, full-service options. While self-checkout is widely popular for its efficiency, Hy-Vee’s decision suggests that traditional checkout can result in more customer satisfaction. Balancing the convenience of self-checkout with the desire for a more traditional checkout could pose a challenge for retailers aiming to meet shopper preferences. Could this shift away from self-checkout be the key to boosting customer loyalty in grocery stores? Want to stay up to date on #retail and #grocery trends? Join one of Drive Wheel's personalized #peergroups!