Fred Schroeder

I see some retailer-distributor gross margin re-alignment coming to play over the next two years. It's not just the margin or markup itself, it's the fees and deductions. The cost of this re-alignment will mostly be shouldered by the revolving door of emerging CPG brands. How future-proof is your brand? https://lnkd.in/gpe74APt? #emergingbrands #retailers #grocery #margins #distributors #entrepreneurship #cpgcategory #foodandbeverage

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Older consumers are leading the charge in buying private label store brands. Grocery Dive, June 2024, reports that 88% of shoppers 55+ say “private label provides a good value,” versus 75% of those 18-34. Grasping these insights into consumer perceptions can highlight competitive threats and growth opportunities. Focus on product availability, shopability, quality, differentiation, and price value to gain a competitive edge. Is this a knowledge gap for your team? Reach out to the SIVO, Inc. team at [email protected] for a custom learning plan. #privatelabel #competitiveadvantage #consumerinsights #shopperinsights #marketresearch #pricevalue

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A great article here, discussing how can FMGC/CPG's fight back against the rise of Own Label. As the Article says about ice cream "inflation remaining high and private label gaining share as consumers looked for value propositions in this discretionary category" however this can be true across many other categories within the grocery sector. The question is what can be done? Well many things actually but one that I am passionate about at Catalina UK is getting product into the hands of customers, allowing them to experience the product for themselves via Digital Rewards - this is a game changer to help any brand standout from the crowd and more importantly create their point of difference from Own Label. If you are want to know about conversion rates of circa 28%/35% (category dependant) let me know #CPG #Digitaltransformation #DataDrivenMarketing #customerengagement

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Conagra may be the first, but it won't be the last. This morning the company's quarterly earnings missed both top and bottom line expectations. One of the main drivers: the need to promote to drive volume. Here's an excerpt from my Q3 earnings preview (link to the blog up by my name and face!): "The sectors I’m keeping the closest eye on will be consumer goods and retail, of course. Consumer goods specifically had a rough go last quarter not just because they mostly missed revenue expectations, but because volume degradation continues to play out in North America zones. As these organization use trade spend to drive volume, it will mess with profitability. Without much pricing power today, there will only be so many things these companies can do to react." Conagra is doing what it needs to do to keep volume pumping, but it's hard to meet what are undoubtedly the highest expectations from the market since 2021. The next step isn't to keep doing the same thing, it will be to become more strategic and targeted with spend. The age of meeting earnings expectations through simple tactics is over. This is the point I've been waiting for in CPG. When it's the most creative and commercially innovative companies that earn their gains through thoughtful strategies, not pricing. For now, we'll see how many more companies follow this top and bottom miss... #consumerbehavior #cpg #earnings

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Buyers ask how are you different from your competitors? Easy question to answer. -Nanotechnology - Allows our product to go deeper and faster into the skin -Clean Ingredients - None of the toxic trash other brands use -Made in the USA - GMP certified facilities and vertically integrated -Secret Sauce - Terpene Blend

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Key stat: 84% of US adults believe #privatelabel foods are more #affordable. #Privatelabels make up nearly a quarter (23.8%) of total #grocery units sold. While #Aldi is the No. 1 #privatelabel #retailer in the US, with private label representing 80% of its total units sold, #Kroger’s #SmartWay is the fastest-growing private label, increasing its unit volume 135% YoY, per Numerator. https://lnkd.in/eciRmeWc

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As the demand for high-protein, on-the-go snacks continues to surge, Conagra is positioning itself at the forefront of this enduring trend. Conagra Brands, the force behind iconic names like Slim Jim and Duke's, has strategically expanded its portfolio with the acquisition of Sweetwood Smoke & Co., makers of Fatty Smoked Meat Sticks. What makes Fatty's unique? Their meat sticks boast high protein, low sugar, gluten-free ingredients, and no MSG—exactly what today's health-conscious consumers are after. Since their major 2018 acquisition of Pinnacle Foods, Conagra has been laser-focused on strengthening their core business and managing debt, keeping acquisitions on the back burner. But when the right opportunity comes along, especially a bolt-on that aligns perfectly with market trends, they were ready to act. With the meat snack market projected to grow at nearly 7% CAGR through 2033, this acquisition is a smart move for Conagra, bolstering their position in a booming segment. At Greenwich Capital Group LLC, we anticipate a significant increase in strategic-driven M&A activity within the F&B category in the coming year, likely surpassing previous levels. Mars' recent acquisition of Kellanova underscores the growing trend of large strategic acquirers making bold moves to enhance their market presence and diversify their offerings. This acquisition is a clear signal that leading players are not just pursuing growth, but are also keenly focused on aligning with evolving consumer demands for health-conscious, innovative products. We expect to see more deals of this nature as companies seek to strengthen their positions in an increasingly competitive and dynamic market. #MergersAndAcquisitions #FoodIndustry #FoodandBeverage #ConsumerTrends #InvestmentBanking https://lnkd.in/gT4AWgMW

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Top 5 tips on building and maintaining strong relationships with retailers to secure shelf space and drive sales: 1. Meeting initial item set-up timelines with incredible accuracy 2. Updating the Retailer on any changes in the supply channel 3. Once establishing the cost of the shelf space, promote and invest to drive sales. Makes no sense to say “ I don’t have enough left to fund the requested programs.” 4. Be smart and be able to frequently review ROI on any tool or program that is used to be sure you are spending marketing dollars efficiently. 5. Continuous Evaluation, Continuous Improvement: The journey doesn't end with a deal. #cpg #retail #shelfspace

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Politics aside, I think we can all agree that WAY too many direct CPG brands are reeling right now 😥 And it’s truly sad as the founders have put their🩸, sweat and tears into these businesses, which now have: 🏪 Strong retail distribution 🥫 Unique products with true-ish differentiation 😋 Great flavor profile and hedonics 🌀 Relevant and well designed branding 💲 Price points that align with target audience So why are they failing? Three major reasons that I’m seeing: 1) Lack of investor commitment:  Previous standbys in the Food/Bev VC space have not secured new funding or now have alligator-arms when reaching for more funding as they have been ‘burned’ by this category.  So financing has to be more creative and linked to specific milestones.  2) MVPs don’t work in food:  Those who come into the industry hoping to create and launch a ‘minimally viable product’, and then upgrade regularly in the future like they do in tech, are quickly realizing that is not possible.  The regulatory environment, manufacturing, and retail make that much more difficult in this category.  And if you launch a brand that doesn’t do well, consumers and retailers won’t take another look when you upgrade it! 3) Supply chain costs are crazy:  Ingredient costs are increasing weekly for certain raws (e.g. organic cacao), strength of third-party manufacturers (who have full production schedules) and their ability to flex pricing and schedule are impacting businesses, and transportation costs have increased to get products to the end consumer. I’m sure in the future we’ll look back at this period as one of creative survival, innovation, and collaboration, but right now it just sucks 👎 for so many brands and businesses out there and I feel for you. If you are one of these brands or know of one, feel free to reach out 📲 to see if the folks here at Palm Venture Studios would want to take a look.

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🚀 Brand Solutions Insights from Frank Carpenito, President of Gemline 🚀 Meet Frank C., President of Gemline, and a seasoned leader with experience at P&G, PepsiCo, and United Natural Foods. Frank shares his insights on the critical role of branded solutions. 🌐 Key Conversations in Branded Solutions: "In today's environment, our discussions focus on logistics, inventory management, sustainable sourcing, and risk management. Branded solutions have moved from 'behind the scenes' to 'front and center' in executive conversations." 📈 Branded Solutions' Role in Marketing: "The [brand solution partner] is vital for our growth. It ensures that we meet timelines, budgets, and customer expectations, especially with the rise of digital marketing where speed and agility are crucial." 🔍 Ensuring Brand Integrity: "We build checks and gates to validate suppliers, products, and quality. Quick remediation of disruptions and formal reviews with stakeholders maintain long-term integrity and stability." Frank's insights highlight the evolving importance of branded solutions in driving business success. 🌟 Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/gVJWu4Ga #BrandSolutions #Marketing #B2B #BusinessGrowth #Leadership #Gemline #DigitalMarketing #Efficiency #QualityControl #SustainableSourcing #RiskManagement

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🚨 Your Voice Matters: Join Tomorrow’s Boston Cannabis Board Hearing! 🚨 Friends, colleagues, and advocates for cannabis equity: tomorrow, December 11th, 2024, the Boston Cannabis Board is hosting a virtual public hearing at 1 PM. This is our chance to make a meaningful impact on the future of cannabis policy in Boston. 📌 Why It Matters: This hearing includes critical discussions, including an agenda item for my friends at Zèb Boutique, who are championing positive change in the industry. Our project, South End Cannabis, is also on the agenda, and I couldn’t be happier to share this platform with another great team. By showing up, we can support thoughtful progress and collaboration in our community. 💡 How You Can Participate: 1️⃣ Testify at the Hearing: Sign up to provide verbal testimony here. Your testimony is limited to two minutes—so make it count! 2️⃣ Submit Written Comments: Email your insights and perspectives to [email protected] before the hearing. For your convenience, we’ve created a sample letter of support you can personalize and send. Access it here: https://lnkd.in/eJehQDBR 📅 Details: 🕐 Date/Time: December 11th, 2024, at 1 PM 💻 Location (Zoom): https://lnkd.in/eWsgQAXe Let’s ensure that our collective voice shapes a future built on equity, opportunity, and community. Together, we can influence decisions that impact us all. ✨ Make a Difference—Join Us! If you’re passionate about this cause, please participate and share this post to spread the word. Feel free to reach out if you have questions or need support preparing your testimony or comments. Let’s show up for each other and for Boston’s cannabis future. #CannabisEquity #BostonCommunity #CannabisPolicy #Advocacy

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Cold beverages continue to be "hot" in multiple retail channels, especially convenience where they help shape the "heatmaps" of shopper traffic and behaviors across all dayparts. See this week's VideoMining Nugget: https://lnkd.in/eMXJ7656 #cpg #retail #marketing

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I've been thinking about how cannabis MSO expertise qualifies someone to do, well, just about anything. We are agriculture, manufacturing, wholesale, distribution, and retail - usually separate entities - but not always - governed by the same team. And all of it is wrapped up in state specific compliance layers rivaling pharmaceuticals or gaming... that in some ways support product safety and in most ways just make our jobs harder. Sprinkle the formula across different markets, with disparate supply chains, disparate stages of maturity, and the whole banking thing.... and you get the inevitable chaos of it all. Any one of you that are successfully navigating this - you should take a minute and appreciate what you are doing. People, process and technology transcends industries. If you can vertically integrate and scale, build teams, optimize process and implement new technology solutions to thrive in this environment - you can do it anywhere.

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CPG Brand Marketing Leaders – Great evening with Chicagoland Food & Beverage Network hearing nuggets of marketing excellence from a powerhouse panel, catching up with friends old and new, and even 1 minute of sizzle reel fame (because 5 minutes is WAY too long.. link in comments 😊) Key insights from on The New Rules of Brand Management reflecting how marketing has changed (spoiler—a LOT) in the past few years: 💡𝘿𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙁𝙡𝙪𝙗 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙁𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣: Brand fundamentals are still, well, fundamental. While the paths to market have changed, the need for sharp insights, distinctive benefits, and compelling messaging is evergreen 💡𝙈𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙀𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜: Attribution offers empowering performance insights, internal alignment, and the freedom to optimize as you go. But with those analytics must come nimbleness: be ready to adjust early and often, 3-yr planning horizons are SO 5 years ago. 💡𝘽𝙪𝙘𝙠𝙡𝙚 𝙐𝙥 𝙩𝙤 𝙍𝙞𝙙𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘾𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙖𝙡 𝙈𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨: even if you lose some control.  While UGC may break some brand guidelines, when your brand and culture intersect in ways you can’t buy or plan for, seize and fuel those moments. 💡𝙃𝙖𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝘿𝙖𝙩𝙖 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙖 𝙎𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙡𝙚 𝙎𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙘𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙏𝙧𝙪𝙩𝙝: with unprecedented access to ocean-deep, yet fragmented data, collaboration and transparency are key to common understanding and alignment on implications 💡𝙎𝙩𝙤𝙘𝙠 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙑𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙤 𝘼𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙩 𝙆𝙞𝙩𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙣: Video is today’s language. Make your dollars and brand assets work as efficiently as possible with savvy production planning and batching so your content is truly on demand Which of these resonates most? What New Rule did I miss? Saverio Spontella Larry Deutsch Stephen Gaither Ashley Nazarian Findlay Jessica Barrutia Janet Garetto Tracy Hatfield #brandmarketing #brandstrategy #insights I'm Elizabeth, and I help brand marketing leaders harness consumer & market insights to fuel strategic brand growth. DM me to talk nimble, data-driven strategy to drive consumer connection.

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A big shake up is going to happen in #michigan's vape carts market. In April the Cannabis Regulator Agency ban the use of MCT oil in vape carts and starting October 1th all #vape carts will need a COA showing it dose not contain any MCT oil. In June alone over 52 million dollars worth of vape carts were sold. Currently there is only one lab certified to perform the new testing. As well the Cannabis Regulatory Agency issuing a formal complaint against one of largest vape carts producers, for using out-of-state hemp powder from #colorado and converting it to cannabis-based distillate under the guise of plants grown in Michigan. Rebecca A. Colett, MBA it is important to get the perspective for someone that is on the ground. Thank you John Schroyer from Green Market Report for the state update. #cannabisindustry #cannabiscommunity #cannabisnews #cannabiseducation #cannabispolicy https://lnkd.in/gfGJeYDw

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PepsiCo's deal with Strauss Group will enable the CPG giant to expand its better-for-you portfolio by giving it full control over the dip and spread products. #food #foodindustry #CPG #pepsico

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In this episode of “At Your Convenience,” CSP Editor Chuck Ulie talks with Ken Rash, senior category manager of packaged beverages at Stinker Stores, and Scott Johnson, executive vice president at beverage partnership consulting firm Enliven and former senior vice president of Keurig Dr Pepper. Topics include challenges and trends for convenience stores in the world of packaged beverages. The two also talk about the stiffest competition that c-stores face today in this category—and more. “At Your Convenience” brings industry experts and analysts together with CSP editors to discuss the latest in c-store news and trends. From mergers and acquisitions to foodservice and technology, the podcast delivers the story straight to listeners in short-format episodes, perfect for the morning commute or a quick break at the office. Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

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𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗖𝘂𝘁𝘀, 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗛𝗶𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗢𝗻𝗰𝗲.   With inflation impacting consumer spending, food and beverage companies are under pressure to rethink pricing strategies to stay competitive. General Mills recently made a bold move by cutting prices, leading to a spike in demand as more shoppers choose to eat at home.   Their CEO highlighted that eating at home is now 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘱𝘦𝘳 than dining out—a key factor in their strategy. But with softer demand across the market, brands face a challenging road ahead.   𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁? Learn more about General Mills’ approach here: https://lnkd.in/gJAZs2ag

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Be crystal-clear about your emerging CPG brand's end game. There are many motivations that drive entrepreneurs to start and build their emerging CPG brands. The last twenty years has seen an explosion of innovation and new entrants that challenged in some instances shocked large CPG incumbents out of their stagnant and slow growth mode. Changing consumer consumption patterns, cheap capital, low interest rates, social media marketing capabilities, excess co-packing capacity and distributors and retailers wanting to capture new growth set the foundation for entrepreneurs of all ages to enter various categories. Millennial (and now Gen Z) entrepreneurs used their digital smarts to level the marketing playing field with large competitor incumbents. Innovation and marketing experts from large corporations jumped ship to take charge of their own destiny - Some when they retired and some while in the prime of their corporate careers. Following the tech startup patterns and culture….starting, scaling an emerging CPG brand in the hope of a large payday became a credible choice for many graduate and post graduate students. There is a portion of CPG entrepreneurs that want to build a generational business, perhaps start a dynasty or build a long-term business centered on greater purpose and good. Most founders and co-founders that I have met and or worked with want a successful exit. Some are realistic about their prospects, and some are not. A good place to start is to be clear about your brand’s end game and importantly about the realistic time horizon and funding that it will meet against that aspiration and timeline. #entrepreneurship #exits #emergingCPGbrand #CPG #foodandbeverage #scaling

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