Andy Walter

Where some see disruptive threat, the wise see a chance to lead. In an era where consumer staples companies face significant challenges—from value chain disintermediation to rapidly changing consumer expectations—the need for strategic innovation has never been greater. The sector’s performance has struggled to keep pace with other industries over the past five years. In our latest analysis, Brian Hindo, Claudia Pardo and I delve into the disruptions reshaping the consumer staples sector. We spotlight how five companies are not just navigating but leading through these turbulent times, crafting strategic moves that yield outsized returns. Curious about what makes these companies successful where others see barriers? Interested in how they are redefining the consumer experience? Dive into our new report to uncover how these leaders are turning potential threats into opportunities.

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‘What will it take for the consumer goods industry to turn its fortunes around?’, this podcast asks. 🛒    One interesting trend Jessica Moulton highlights is in the role of small brands. Pre-COVID, they were disproportionately capturing growth, but the pandemic made retailers and investors step back.     Now, the ‘explosion of small’ may come back – and it’s an opportunity that smart CPGs are looking to own in their categories.    This is a great discussion for retail and CPG leaders seeking to revive growth and reduce costs. Check it out. 👇    #CPG #B2B2C #Retail #Growth

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Watch Now: Peter Guinto explains how Resilinc’s Risk Game helps companies understand the value of acting quickly in the world of supply chain. Peter says the game “forces everybody into the same room, and helps them see what happens in real life in a controlled scenario.”    Watch this insightful discussion on the Contracting Conversations podcast recorded at the National Contract Management Association (NCMA) #Nexus2024 event in March. #SupplierManagement #RiskManagement #SCRM

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We interviewed 19 CPG CEOs to identify lessons on navigating uncertainty. Discover actionable insights on four essential themes in our latest white paper. #consumer #CPG   Learn why embracing technology innovations and proactive succession planning are crucial for CPG CEOs today. Dive into our report for more. #consumer #CPG

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We are thrilled to launch an industry leading collaboration with the @ConsumerBrandsAssociation (https://lnkd.in/gSvDSA_S) to support Supply Chain executives in unlocking more value in our rapidly changing environment. The Chief Supply Chain Officer Exchange includes quarterly peer-to-peer conversations with CBA Members on key issues and challenges the industry faces and offers unique insights to help a drive the future supply chain. Additionally, we look forward to co-hosting the Supply Chain and Sustainability Workshop at CBA’s annual CPG Summit this October in Colorado Springs and sharing the takeaways with our clients.   CBA members, thank you for joining our first CSCO Network Exchange conversation yesterday as we unpacked Data and AI in the Supply Chain. Our team of supply chain experts is looking forward to engage with the industry on key topics and foster industry collaboration and innovation. Learn more about our Supply Chain capabilities: https://lnkd.in/gWqDZYYu   #supplychain #ConsumerBrands #data #GenAI Robert Holston, Lokesh Ohri, Jessica Mackey, Sameer Anand, Takshay Aggarwal, Hani Alexander

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Supermarkets and specialty food-product companies are leading the pack among the fastest-growing retail companies in AlixPartners' study of 50 Supergrowers. While some leaders are at the top due to disruptive business models, we identified three core strategies that led to gains among retailers dealing with stubborn inflation and supply chain turbulence. Read on to learn how these winning companies have invested in their store and distribution footprints, private-label product lines, and Digital-first models to outgrow the competition: https://lnkd.in/e4AfrVwY

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I'm delighted to highlight the collaborative effort between Accenture and Bricorama in launching the pAInt platform. This partnership showcases our commitment to advancing consumer innovation through cutting-edge technology. Bricorama, a prominent home improvement retailer, has revolutionized its customer experience with the integration of generative AI. Powered by the Azure OpenAI Service, the pAInt platform delivers customized recommendations, automating paint color and quantity suggestions based on individual preferences. This technology streamlines the decision-making process and enables customers to visualize their completed projects, boosting their confidence in making informed purchases. This initiative highlights Accenture’s leadership in adopting and deploying advanced technologies that anticipate and meet evolving consumer needs. Our collaboration with Bricorama demonstrates our dedication to transforming the consumer landscape, setting industry standards, and crafting deeply personalized, engaging shopping experiences. This project not only exemplifies innovation in retail but also serves as a model for future advancements across various consumer sectors, emphasizing our drive to lead AI-driven transformation. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eDkdAu3R #Innovation #CustomerExperience #TheEmpoweredConsumer #AI

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I recently shared an article regarding “Shrinkflation” that dovetails with the results of a recent survey conducted by Advantage Solutions. According to their Manufacturer & Retailer Outlook Q3 2024 report Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) manufacturers and retailers are not exactly aligned regarding pricing and innovation strategies. https://lnkd.in/evETpsAx With persistent inflation pressures causing manufacturers to grapple with increased costs the “logical” consequence is the need to pass them along to retailers which ultimately has an impact on individual consumers and families. Retailers are pushing back, because of the compelling need to maintain competitive pricing for those consumers. Further complicating the conflict, shifting consumer preferences and demand for innovation are forcing both parties to adapt quickly in order to remain relevant in what has become a rapidly changing market. Retailers are focusing heavily on pricing investment. The areas where suppliers can help most over the next 12 months are:  ✅ Trade dollars (84%),  ✅ Everyday pricing (55%),  ✅ Promotion optimization (45%),  ✅ Innovation (39%)  ✅ Consumer insights (34%). Retailers are also seeking assistance with: ☑ Supply chain (16%), ✅ Value-priced products (16%), ✅ Meal solution ideas (5%) and ✅ Retail merchandising (3%). Navigating through these challenges will require a great deal of collaboration and transparency. I might add that a bottoms up approach to establish true market pricing through the supply chain is a first step in establishing sustainable results and strategic planning to get there needs to consider the next 24-36 months.  #Manufacturing #Retail #PricingStrategy #Innovation #SupplyChain

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Great article... Interesting to see that CPG industries are still behind in adoption of AI, but catching up. Also it's great to see a way to quantify the expected wins of the potential AI impact on different areas and industry sectors.

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For decades, consumer goods companies have thrived on ultra-processed foods, but rising healthcare costs and changing consumer attitudes are forcing a shift. How to meet the demand for healthier options here > https://owy.mn/3OvYNzn #Health #Wellness #ConsumerGoods

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Former SVP Global Supply Chain Noam Shamir explains that having 'fixed the foundations' Teva Pharmaceuticals attentions have turned to more expansive and innovative ways to align supply and demand across a truly global operation. With a nod to KPMG who have played a key role in the IBP implementation. Learn more about this all encompassing three-stage supply chain transformation here https://lnkd.in/eUQtJNVz #supplychain #supplychaintransformation #ibp Manuel Lopez Navarro

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The US East Coast port strike has been over since the end of last week. Yet, companies will continue to face disruptions and uncertainties in today’s dynamic and unpredictable marketplace ⤵ That is the reason why supply chain resilience is critical for the success and growth of CPG and Manufacturing companies. To help your organization combat the unpredictable market… Today, I’m sharing three elements that will build a more robust and adaptable supply chain: 1️⃣ End-to-end supply Chain Diversification and Visibility 2️⃣ Supply Chain Business Continuity Plans (BCP) 3️⃣ Inventory Management: The Heart of Resilience To get more insights about any of these three elements, read my newsletter about resilient supply chains: https://lnkd.in/gzgtzDYF #supplychain #portstrike #resilience

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On July 25th, we brought together Chief Supply Chain Officers from the CPG sector for an invaluable peer-to-peer exchange. In collaboration with the @ConsumerBrandsAssociation, we delved into the practical applications of AI within the supply chain, addressed the challenges hindering its adoption, and shared a collective vision for the future. 📊 Dive into our comprehensive Debrief here for insights from key industry supply chain leaders and action items for your company: https://lnkd.in/g59fQkuQ We're convinced that for the industry to thrive, a transformative mindset is essential. This means reimagining every facet of operations - from manufacturing to customer engagement - with data-driven intelligence at the core. 📅 Stay tuned for our next CSCO Network Exchange coming this September. #SupplyChain #ArtificialIntelligence #CPGIndustry #EY #FutureOfSupplyChain

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Gentle reminder To this gentle reader The majority of excess inventory that I have seen in my 25+ years of Supply Chain work has come from new launches that did not perform as expected. Create flexibliity in the supply-- do not double down on the forecast lever. #NewProductLaunches #Operations #ExcessInventory #Inventory #NewProductIntroduction #DemandPlanning #CPGBrands How do you manage new launches inventory/forecast-wise?

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At the recent Fortune Brainstorm AI event, #Accenture’s Muqsit Ashraf outlined strategies to maximize AI ROI: focus on value-driven initiatives, scale quickly, reimagine processes, invest in responsible AI, and secure executive sponsorship. Discover how these steps can drive AI success for your business. https://accntu.re/4e3YEx8 #FortuneAI #GenerativeAI

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CEOs are sounding the alarm about potential #supplychain resiliency problems. With challenges ahead, it's important for businesses to rethink their strategies to address supply chain shocks and disruptions. Head over to DC Velocity for more.

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𝗣𝗲𝗽𝘀𝗶𝗖𝗼 🤝 𝗩𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗶𝗼𝗻 Transforming Procurement with data intelligence. In partnership with PepsiCo, Veridion has supported PepsiCo's innovative digital transformation. "Veridion's weekly-refreshed data ensures the utmost accuracy in supplier data for downstream reporting, risk-migration, and grants business units unparalleled visibility and assurance within the supply chain." Read more, here 👉 https://bit.ly/3AD4rMk #DigitalTransformation #DataIntelligence

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𝗣𝗲𝗽𝘀𝗶𝗖𝗼 🤝 𝗩𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗶𝗼𝗻 Transforming Procurement with data intelligence. In partnership with PepsiCo, Veridion has supported PepsiCo's innovative digital transformation. "Veridion's weekly-refreshed data ensures the utmost accuracy in supplier data for downstream reporting, risk-migration, and grants business units unparalleled visibility and assurance within the supply chain." Read more, here 👉 https://bit.ly/3AD4rMk #DigitalTransformation #DataIntelligence

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🚀 Scott Luton and Mike Griswold from Gartner dive into 2024’s top supply chain trends and bold 2025 predictions! They discuss the impact of generative AI, investing in people, and how companies like P&G, Diageo, and AstraZeneca are leading with digital innovation and sustainability. 🎧 Listen now: https://bit.ly/3ZZQIcI #SupplyChain #GenerativeAI #Sustainability #GartnerTop25 #DigitalInnovation

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