Jim Duddleston

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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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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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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As grocery shelf space becomes more competitive, brands are feeling the squeeze—literally. With grocery stores reducing unique products by nearly 9% since 2020 and store brands gaining ground, companies like Conagra Brands and CELSIUS Holdings, Inc. are finding new ways to stand out. Interestingly, some brands are investing more in packaging and technology to extend product shelf life, all in a bid to secure that prime spot. It's a reminder that you must perform and remain visible on the shelf is as vital as ever in retail. With supermarkets becoming more selective and store brands on the rise, how brands adapt will determine their success. Read the full story from The Wall Street Journal here: https://lnkd.in/e5HiEXaE #RetailSales #ConsumerHabits #ConsumerInsights #GroceryStore

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The proposed merger between Kroger and Albertsons, two of the largest grocery chains in the U.S., is one of the most significant retail mergers in recent years. Here’s a breakdown of the main elements, legal battles, and implications for the industry and consumers. #groceryretail #mergersandacquisitions #kroger #albertsons

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💫 In this week's blog, John Carroll, President at Acosta Group and former Coca-Cola and P&G executive, looks ahead to the future of the CPG industry. In a recent podcast episode, Carroll discusses the importance of strategic planning amid economic uncertainty to drive growth in 2024. From handling inflation-driven promotions to maximizing retail media investments, he highlights key strategies for success. Check out the full blog post for more on navigating the landscape of consumer packaged goods! 👇 #CPG #RetailMedia #StrategicPlanning #DigitalShelfSuccess 🛒

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Target Taps PepsiCo’s Jim Lee to Serve as Finance Chief Target has picked longtime PepsiCo executive Jim Lee as its new chief financial officer (CFO). Lee, who spent more than 25 years with the food and beverage giant, will join Target’s leadership team Sept. 22, the retailer announced Thursday (Sept. 19). “As a successful leader in finance and strategy, Jim will oversee the central role our finance team plays in fueling our long-term profitable growth,” Target Chair and CEO Brian Cornell said in a news release. “With decades leading core finance functions and nurturing growth, Jim will complement the strong and tenured leadership currently in place on our finance team.” Lee’s most recent role was as PepsiCo’s deputy finance chief, leading the finance teams for the company’s $35 billion international business. He has also led financial planning and analysis, and finance functions for brand and innovation, franchise bottlers, supply chain and business development, the release added. “I’m excited to join a team and a brand that I have so much respect for, and I’m eager to get immersed in the retail industry,” said Lee. “With a clear strategy, a differentiated shopping experience and a brand that consumers love, Target’s competitive advantages are a strong foundation for long-term growth.” Lee succeeds Michael Fiddelke, who had been serving as both chief operating officer and CFO at Target since earlier this year. PYMNTS has been examining the changing role of the CFO, with finance leaders saying the job of the chief financial officer role has never been more strategic. “The CFO role has evolved from being a historian, looking at and delivering reports that are dated, to becoming a strategic partner in decision-making and not just documenting that decision-making,” Brian Unruh, CFO at global artificial intelligence (AI) company ABBYY, said in an interview for the PYMNTS “A Day In The Life of a CFO” series. This evolution, the report noted, has been fueled by developments in technology, evolving market dynamics, and a rising need for sustainable growth. “The finance department exists to fuel decision frameworks,” said Unruh, pointing out that the “timely, accurate, and multidimensional data” finance department provides each day to the rest of their business is what helps define and accelerate internal growth drivers. News credit PYMNTS #news #fintech #fintechnews #finance #financenews #usdt #usdtinr #otc #trending

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Playing an ever-growing role within the aisles of dollar stores are private label products. Leading retailers in the channel have grown their respective assortments in recent years by developing items that are something other than name-brand equivalents. This continued effort is not only providing high-value items to consumers but also offering points of differentiation for each retailer. #dollarstores #privatebrands

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Another top-line miss: General Mills General Mills reported today its Q4 results: - Net sales were down 6.4% to $4.71 billion, reflecting unfavorable net price realization/mix and lower pound volume - Those results included a three-point headwind from a comparison against favorable trade expense timing in the prior year, which impacted net price realization and mix - Organic net sales were down 6% to miss the consensus estimate of -3.3%, and slowed from the FQ3 trend - The decline in organic sales was driven by the trade expense timing comparison, a reduction in retailer inventory, and a headwind in international segment results - Volume was 2% lower during the quarter, led by a 6% drop in the North America Retail segment and 7% decline in the Pet segment - Price/mix fell 4% during the quarter, driven lower by a 10% decline in the International segment General Mills expects now 2025 organic sales to be 0% to +1% vs. the consensus estimate of +1.2%. "As we move into fiscal 2025, our top priority is to accelerate our organic net sales growth, and specifically our volume growth, by delivering remarkable experiences across our portfolio of leading brands," stated CEO Jeff Harmening Time to refocus for all on organic (volume) growth Exciting times To read our last publication on how to accelerate organic (volume) growth: 𝗙𝗠𝗖𝗚 𝗖𝗘𝗢𝘀: 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 (𝗩𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗺𝗲) 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵 𝗢𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗧𝗼 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝗦𝗵𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗼 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗿𝘆 - 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗭𝗕𝗕 𝘁𝗼 𝗭𝗕𝗚® (𝗭𝗲𝗿𝗼-𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱-𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵) https://lnkd.in/eV5d39VE 𝗧𝗼 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀, 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝘂𝘀 & 𝘀𝘂𝗯𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗯𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗙𝗠𝗖𝗚 𝗖𝗘𝗢 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀𝗹𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿: https://lnkd.in/ea4gy65y #fmcg #cpg Nestlé The Coca-Cola Company PepsiCo AB InBev Unilever Procter & Gamble Mondelēz International Kraft Heinz L'Oréal Danone The HEINEKEN Company Bel Reckitt Kenvue Sanofi Haleon Pernod Ricard Diageo General Mills Campbell's JDE Peet's Carlsberg Group Ferrero Henkel Mars Lindt & Sprüngli Kellanova Shiseido Bayer | Consumer Health https://lnkd.in/ehYwq5sR

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Happy National Coffee Day!! ☕️ Today has me reflecting on the incredible experience of executing my very first POG transition as a Merchant while I was working in our Bloomington Target store. We took every bag of coffee off the shelf, vacuumed it (coffee grounds…), reset the pushers, and added all the right products back. A few lessons I want to remember: - Live your values & make big bets. Buyers have the awesome privilege of choosing and supporting brands that are driving growth & making a difference. Don’t take that responsibility lightly. - The details matter. The wrong date in a system or a few inches off on product dimensions can cause chaos. Check your work twice (buyers & manufacturers!). - Coffee is personal. A guest who drinks decaf stopped in the aisle to share exactly what she was looking for… we didn’t have it, so she left. - Store hours force tradeoffs. If you’re spending hours on something that doesn’t add value, you’re sacrificing something else that probably does. Try hard not to waste time. Cheers to a great cup of coffee - and the learning that comes with new experiences across a career!

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Dollar General's shares plunged 23% as the retailer cuts its full-year outlook, citing financially constrained customers. With earnings and revenue missing expectations, the discount retailer faces challenges in a tough economic climate. Will Dollar General bounce back? #DollarGeneral #RetailTrends #EarningsReport #RetailNews #Economy

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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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Kroger might give merger ambitions a rest if Albertsons deal fails. CEO Rodney McMullen said finding “transformational opportunities” could be a challenge http://ow.ly/UUcp105QQlH

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Industry News: PepsiCo in Talks to Acquire Siete Foods for Over $1 Billion PepsiCo is reportedly in advanced discussions to acquire Siete Foods, the Texas-based tortilla chip maker, for over $1 billion. This potential acquisition highlights PepsiCo's strategy to expand its portfolio in the rapidly growing snack market, particularly in the healthier and gluten-free segment. Siete Foods, owned and operated by the Garza family, has gained significant traction in the snack industry. Its products align well with current consumer trends toward healthier, more authentic snack options. The company has experienced substantial growth, with reported revenue increases of 35% year over year, reflecting the rising demand for gluten-free and plant-based snacks. The sale process for Siete Foods has attracted interest from various private equity firms and food companies, making it a competitive market. This acquisition could bolster PepsiCo's position in the snack aisle, complementing its existing brands like Lay’s and Quaker Oats. #PepsiCo #SieteFoods #FMCG #SnackMarket #HealthySnacking #Acquisition #PlantBased #GlutenFree #FoodIndustry #BusinessGrowth #MarketTrends

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