Gino Caponi

Check out this interview with our CEO discussing Clio's history and success!

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News: 📉 Boston Beer Co. sees a 6.4% drop in shipments for Q2.  The continued growth of Twisted Tea helped offset the decline in Boston’s beer portfolio. Twisted Tea now accounts for 57% of The Boston Beer Company total volumes in the latest Nielsen data. Click to get the full story ➡️ https://zurl.co/VbMv #CraftBeer #BeverageIndustry #BostonBeer #FinancialReport #BeerNews #CraftBrewery #BusinessUpdate #IndustryInsights #BrewingBusiness #MarketTrends

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When it comes to functional beverages, the energy and weight management segments are leading the pack, according to NielsenIQ's Jordan Moore, who spoke at ECRM's Center Store Sessions recently and was interviewed by Joseph Tarnowski on some key takeaways from her presentation. Overall, the functional beverage segment (which NIQ considers any beverage that makes a wellness claim) is growing 2 percent faster that RTDs. Energy beverages, which are already a $22 billion category, have seen 10 percent growth vs. a year ago, and weight management beverages, which include those beverages aimed at helping consumers gain muscle as well as speeding up their metabolism and losing weight, are up a whopping 22 percent. Interestingly, protein is making its way into an increasingly diverse array of beverages outside of traditional protein shakes, including coffee (like the new Instant Coffee with Protein by Fire Department Coffee, and the new Genepro Tea). Some functional beverage categories are declining, however. Those under the preventative segment, which focus on brain health, probiotics and immunity is down 8 percent and diabetes related beverages are down 6 percent. Not all is lost though, if you are in one of these segments. While the overall segment may be down, your specific category may be on the rise. A case-in-point is kombucha. While it falls under the preventative segment, the category itself is up 5 percent. Watch the full video below! #beverages #cpg #wellness #retail #ecrmrangeme Luke Schneider Jason Patton Jon Bryan Stacey Helbig Brian Parks Brian Haymaker

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Big news in the CPG industry! Mars has agreed to acquire Kellanova (Kellogg's salty snacks spin-off) for a whopping $36B. This strategic move not only gives Mars a new arm in the human snacking world but also positions them to meet the future demand for sustainable, healthy snacking. The deal comes amidst a trend where consumer trade-downs to lower-cost options continue to dominate the market. This acquisition not only speaks of leverage but also underscores the significance of brand equity for leading CPG companies. Competitors in the sector should take note. Mars, known for its expertise in infusing acquisitions with capital to scale, is set to make waves with this deal. Stay tuned for the ripple effects in the industry. #CPG #Fletcher #CompetitiveIntelligence Read more: [Link to article]

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While market dynamics for all grocers are more challenging than ever, consumers are likely to benefit from the improved value, variety, and service offerings as businesses strive to adapt and thrive in a hyper-competitive Connecticut food frontier. 🤠 🛒 🍷 #ShopSmartCT #MarketMakeover #GroceryGameChanger

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The Costco Wholesale phenomenon is a masterclass in #retail excellence, blending strategic product placement, bulk-buy bargains, and an engaging treasure-hunt experience to convert first-time shoppers into lifelong members.     By meticulously curating a chaotic yet efficient environment, Costco has achieved what many retailers aspire to – a deeply loyal customer base. And from the depths of the aisles, a key takeaway emerges: retail success lies in creating compelling, value-driven experiences that resonate with #shoppers on a personal level. Read more great insights on Costco’s successful #customer retention model from Phil W.: 

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“I thought it was absolutely essential to carve out our hard discount in a separate division” Bank told investors Thursday (Feb. 22). “I want to really operate the hard discounters as hard discounters.” Assortment strategy is one of the most important topics for CPG brands. Aldi, carries about 1400 SKUs. No Frills carries many many many more. If you don't know A) What are the two SKUs you need No Frills to carry, B) How to optimize that assortment for efficiency in labour and shoppability, 2026 might be painful. It's a long way away. But not that far away. (I have no actual knowledge on timing - but guessing that a transformation in a multitude of categories to a much more ltd assortment will take time. Some categories will likely face the pain much earlier). I'm looking forward (?) to hearing if Loblaws shares more on Hard Discount strategy at the supplier summit next week.

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The acquisition of Siete Brands by PepsiCo is generating significant attention today. Following Diageo's acquisition of Ritual and Mars' partnership with Kellanova, it raises an important question: is M&A the primary avenue for innovation and growth in the food industry? I’m also interested in how consumers of these smaller brands perceive these large CPG acquisitions. Will this shift influence their loyalty and purchasing decisions? #FoodIndustry #MergersAndAcquisitions #ConsumerPerception #Innovation #BrandLoyalty #CPG #MarketTrends

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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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WE ARE IN A GLOBAL ECONOMIC FUNK, BUCKLE UP! When Stalwart Brands Like PepsiCo Trim Revenue Expectations We Should Pay Attention. We are still ducking Covid, two wars, inflation (prices remain high) as do interest rates. Asian markets have slowed down as have their factories. Oil prices are on the rise again. And one report says consumers plan to spend the same amount of money on Halloween (for example) as they did last year. One of the reasons PepsiCo and others are trimming revenue. Consumers are getting less for their money. Which means everything else is expensive and they will not buy more than they can afford. The grip of higher prices and keeping a roof over one’s head and food on the table is a bigger priority than splurging. Retail therapy today is more akin to balancing the home Economics budget and taking care of necessities. #retailing #strategy #ceo #technology #innovation

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Good article for grocery retailers (and brands) on the importance of key perimeter categories in terms of differentiating vs. competition and maintaining shopper loyalty (during a time when trip missions are evolving and shoppers are gravitating to discount grocers).

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Some good news on the US economy this Wednesday, as retail sales exceed expectations. 1) Retail sales in July exceeded expectations, signalling strong consumer spending and economic resilience. The Commerce Department reported a 1% increase from the previous month, surpassing the anticipated 0.4% rise. This boost, partly driven by a rebound in auto sales, also saw a 0.4% increase in sales excluding autos and gasoline. 2) Consumer spending, a key economic driver, remains robust, accounting for about two-thirds of the U.S. GDP. The positive retail sales data has eased recession fears and propelled stock markets, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq both rising. 3) Walmart also reported better-than-expected sales and raised its annual forecast, further boosting market confidence. Additionally, a drop in unemployment claims indicates a resilient job market. #RetailSales #EconomicGrowth #ConsumerSpending #MarketTrends #EconomicResilience #StockMarket #JobMarket #Economy #Business Please read more at https://lnkd.in/dpdaEgrZ

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About Kicks & the Power of Brand Collabs. Who could resist the allure of kicks?  As we admire our third pair, each vibrant and unique, I'm reminded of the power of brand collabs. Take my son, Jake, for example. A LEGO fanatic through and through, he was instantly drawn to the ADIDAS x LEGO kicks. "Why?" I asked, already knowing the answer. "Isn't it obvious, Mom?" he replied with certainty. "I love LEGO, Adidas makes great sneakers, and everyone in my crew has got 'em." In that moment, it struck me how seamlessly this collaboration caters to Jake's playful creativity and athletic spirit. It's a fusion of two brands, each bringing their expertise, creativity, and quality to the table. From a marketing standpoint, it's the epitome of synergy—a case where one plus one equals three. Through this partnership, both brands resonate deeply with Gen Z culture, forging connections that transcend mere consumerism. As I ponder the future, I envision a landscape ripe with collaborations. Some may falter, but examples like this serve as shining beacons of brands deeply attuned to their audience and the pulse of culture. It's a phenomenon that transcends mere consumerism, imbuing meaning and significance into everyday objects. For my son, these shoes represent more than mere footwear; they embody his passions: LEGO and sports. They're a tangible symbol of his deepest affections and interests, bridging the gap between play and athleticism in a way that resonates profoundly with him. 💎 #marketingexcellence #creativity #playfulness #deephumanunderstanding #bigideas #kicks #adidasxlego #adidas #lego

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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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In 2023, CPG #PrivateLabels grew dollar and unit sales thanks to the unique confluence of retailers investing in their own brands and consumers facing high inflation 📈🛒. Mary Ellen Lynch, principal of Circana's center store solutions practice, discusses private brand shoppers and what they’re looking for in this new #GrowthInsights episode. 🎧 Listen to the full episode!

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