John Connelly, MBA

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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Is Hormel Foods prepared to tackle the challenges of inflation, supply chain disruptions, and shifting consumer preferences? Jim Snee, CEO of Hormel Foods, offers insights on the company's strategies to navigate these issues. Learn how they are adapting, building partnerships, embracing sustainability, and leveraging technology in this volatile landscape. #FoodIndustry #SupplyChain #ConsumerPreferences

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After years of inflation, restaurants are trying to win back consumers with “meal deals”, such as McDonald’s $5 meal deal, Taco Bell Luxe Cravings Box and Chili’s 3 for Me.  With Circana’s receipt panel, we can understand who is purchasing these meal deals and how meal deals impact behavior. At $5-11 for a meal, do you think these are a good deal? 

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The bifurcation of our current economy is eye popping. On one side consumer confidence spiked last month - the Conference Board's October report rose more than 11% (to a reading of 138) - its biggest one-month jump in 3 1/2 years. The last time? March 2021. “Consumers’ assessments of current business conditions turned positive,” said Dana Peterson, the board’s chief economist. Wait what? How'd that happen? Conversely you have a BLS Jolts report confirming what #jobseekers already knew - the long awaited"September Surge" was a nothing burger. Hiring rate remained steady at 5.6 million (3.5% rate). There's a breakdown on hires by industry and region in Table 2 of the BLS report (attached in comments). Check it out. You'll see : ➡ Hiring is down overall YoY by 277K jobs in the private sector ➡ The Northeast is lagging with hiring down 15% MoM, ➡ "Professional and Business Services" added 1M hires, however this was 11K fewer than Aug '24 and 4K less than was added in Sept of 23. Newsflash: Employment is definitely not in expansion mode. Also alarming: job openings remained at 7.4M - BUT the number of open roles declined by 1.9M over the year. Thats over 20% fewer open roles than a year ago! ➡ Fewer open jobs without unemployment decreasing = greater competition for what roles there are. Also worth noting: there have been 525,000 fewer quits this year so far. Definitely DO NOT QUIT unless you have something lined up - this market is straight up squid games. Recruiters claim it's the worst employment market in recent memory, and that includes 09-12 (although interest rates went to near zero by end of 2009 which spurred hiring. That won't happen again). Clearly no one at the Conference Board gauging #consumer confidence has spoken to anyone in the #greenbannergang. Nor have they applied to any jobs. Probably haven't met the hundreds I have who are torching a lifetime of savings, dipping deeply into 401Ks, or burning through HELOC money while competing with 500 others for a role that pays 20% less than their last one. On a macro - level, I imagine we'll see some revisions to holiday forecasts, especially in retail. Confident consumers spend. Thats a good sign! Yes, consumer debt is at an all time high, but that's mostly because houses and rent are stupid expensive. (context: In 2000, the median home value in the United States was approximately $119,600. Today in 2024, its $420,400. WTF?) Hopefully the rainbows and unicorns being touted by consumer confidence folks will translate into actual hiring. Otherwise the haves and have nots will continue to erode the economy from the inside out (have jobs or not have jobs). I'll link to BLS report in comments. Here's the CNBC (Cheerleaders, Nothing But Cheerleaders) source article: Also please comment on anything I missed.

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Siete is selling to Pepsi for $1.2B. Here’s 3 foundational things they did to build this brand in just 10 years: Knowing the Customer ✅ Customers who can’t have grain & dairy  ✅ Customers who want to recognize their ingredient list  ✅ Customers looking to replace carbs for more protein rich ingredients (MASSIVE MARKET) Giving the Customer What they Value ✅ Clearly communicate what you are, ex. GRAIN FREE CHIPS ✅ Enjoy Mexican Food without limitations ✅ GREAT TASTE!!! Doing it Better than the Competition ✅ Relentless commitment to using quality ingredients (ex. Avocado oil) ✅ Making the packaging so fun that it pops on shelf! (& fun to share) ✅ Heartwarming Mexican-American story of the Garza family solving for their own needs Selling to Pepsi will allow more healthy alt options to be distributed in more, and that’s pretty cool. Pepsi please deliver on the above, it's what makes the brand magical This is the story of understanding your customer and STICKING TO THEM. 9 out of 10 companies would grow too fast, make too many changes. Not Siete! They believed there were enough people that wanted to enjoy Mexican food with alternative ingredients as long as the products TASTED GOOD. And they were right! Bravo Siete Family Foods 👏 So as you build your brand, don't overcomplicate it. If you know your customer and give them what they value, you win. >>> If this post helps you think about brand, please share it and follow Marina Cooley for more.

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Reflecting on this monumental moment, I wanted to wait until the news was "official" before sharing my thoughts and feelings... Almost 7 years ago, a good friend now who started as a good client invited me to his new office in NJ to explore a plant-based protein company he was considering acquiring. That's when I first encountered OWYN. Honestly, I wasn't sure what to make of it initially. Plant-based, vegan protein drinks weren't in my usual "repertoire" of ideation and marketing. But after trying the product that day, I knew I wanted to be part of the journey. And what an incredible journey it has been! Throughout the last 7 years, in my capacity as a "strategic advisor," I've embraced a multitude of roles and responsibilities, working closely with a diverse array of talented leaders. From individuals who made significant contributions from the outset and have since moved on, to those who have ascended to leadership positions, such as CEO Mark O. and Chief Sales Officer Matt OConnell, as well as "more recent" additions like CMO Julia Perez, who came in and made an immediate and substantial impact, our collaboration has been characterized by passion, mutual respect, and an unwavering commitment to innovation. Now, fast forward to today. After countless hours of strategic discussions, meetings, and partnerships, we've achieved something remarkable. We've taken a niche brand, crafted with the finest ingredients, and found the perfect successor in our recent acquisition. If you notice, even as a "consultant" I always will refer to it as we. When I work with brands, especially from day 1, I consider myself a true part of the team. Being part of a brand from inception to this pivotal moment is incredibly special. As a matter of fact, it's been a huge goal of mine since that fateful day 7 years ago. I'm eager to see what lies ahead for OWYN and hopeful that I can continue contributing to a product and brand that means so much to me and countless others, especially our consumers. #OWYN #PlantBased #Acquisition #Journey #Gratitude #Business #CPG #SimplyGood https://lnkd.in/emY6UT2g

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Beverage alcohol consumption has undergone significant changes in recent years, influenced heavily by the pandemic and evolving preferences of younger consumers aged 21 and older. I joined Joan Holleran Driggs for an episode of Circana’s Growth Insights podcast to explore these shifts and offer insights into what we can expect for 2024 and beyond. Here are the key takeaways: 🍺 Traditionally, adults aged 21+ started with beer or wine. Now, many young adults are beginning with ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages, particularly spirits-based options. 📉 Despite a plethora of choices, overall beverage alcohol consumption is softening across generations. However, premium beverages are still experiencing growth. 🥤 The appeal of RTD beverage alcohol among younger consumers is largely due to innovative packaging, including on-the-go options like ball form, slim cans, and aseptic packaging. 🥃 Whiskey, tequila, spirits-based RTDs, and imported beer from Mexico continue to drive the beverage alcohol market. Listen to the full episode here: https://lnkd.in/gqRdf9Xd #Circana #BeverageAlcohol #RTD #GenerationalTrends #PremiumBeverages #CircanaGrowthInsights

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Most consumers are looking for more opportunities to share meals at home with family and friends. The biggest barrier to doing so? Time, according to 60% of the consumers we surveyed for the new Butterball Togetherness Report. It’s not just about the time spent cooking – it takes time to invite guests, plan recipes, assess dietary restrictions, and most importantly, shop for ingredients. In our latest report, Butterball, LLC surveyed consumers on what they look for from grocery retailers when shopping for shared meals. Read the report to learn how grocery retailers can save consumers time on their meal planning and shopping: https://lnkd.in/etU_JdnE

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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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General Mills spoke recently at a Barclays investor event and used the platform to reassure investors of its plans to return to growth. While it has been a difficult stretch for major CPGs as consumers' wallets are tighter than in years past the company did highlight some indicators suggesting near-term growth. But beyond that General Mills emphasized a need to create a new competitive playbook. They highlighted misses on innovation, pricing movements, and packaging sizes, as areas of concern. Identifying the problem is always the first step, but how do they correct course? Immediate levers to pull like boosting media and trade spending, will improve top lines in the short term, but a commitment to consistent consumer and competitive research is needed to help realize efficiency gains on the bottom line. #Fletcher #CPG #CompetitiveIntelligence https://lnkd.in/gxMcbGDU

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