Kate Twist

“So... Apple is entering the hearing space!” For the past two weeks, I've been flooded with messages asking how Apple's latest announcement will impact Concha Labs. Another consumer tech giant is stepping into the hearing space, but what does this really mean? With over 1.5 billion people affected by hearing loss globally, this is a massive market. Yet, like mental health, hearing loss is something people don’t talk about much. If you ask anyone who’s tried hearing aids, you’ll likely hear stories of frustration—they’re often disliked because of impersonal sound quality. For me, they were always too loud or too quiet, and I could never find the “right” fit. This isn’t new. Apple, like Bose before them, will likely face similar challenges in replicating the status quo. Despite their audio expertise, Bose entered the hearing aid space but exited due to the same hurdles. Bluetooth earpieces, with their short battery life and social awkwardness, also highlight how hard it is to create a practical, long-term solution. But here’s the good news: more attention on hearing health, thanks to Apple’s announcement and the OTC Hearing Aid Act, is a win for everyone. It’s sparking conversations about hearing loss—something I kept hidden for decades. Concha Labs' hearing aids are nearly invisible, like contact lenses. When I tell people I’m wearing our product, they’re always shocked because they don’t notice them, even with my hair up! (And this goes for the guys who wear them, too!) What’s clear to me is that while awareness is growing, real innovation comes from solving actual user pain points. That’s where Concha Labs comes in: we offer a fully personalized hearing experience, much like how Spotify revolutionized music personalization beyond iTunes. Our solution is designed for real-world usability—comfortable, discreet, personalized, and customizable in multiple sizes and colors. Created by people who were tired of the status quo (like me!), our Concha Sol hearing aids are made for those who want something better. So, if you’re tired of the same old hearing aids, let Concha Labs empower you to hear clearly. We promise, you’ll notice the difference. 😉 Amy www.conchalabs.com #hearing #hearingaids #apple #conchalabs #invisible #otchearingaids #startup

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Compliance isn't sexy Quality isn't sexy We aren't superheroes But what we do drives so much value and impact in the CPG market Qualitas Executive Group helps protect you from: -demand letters -angry customers -regulatory action -product rejections -angry retail partners -class action nonsense -those gosh darn auditors And that's pretty sexy tbh #quality #compliance #consulting #qualitas #cpgindustry #dietarysupplements #food #foodandbeverage #cosmetics #beautyindustry #qualitymanagement #regulatoryaffairs

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#HotTake: Retail stores aren’t a shortcut to success. Retail offers bigger POs, visibility, and cash flow Yet, it doesn’t ensure brand sustainability Case in point: JLo Beauty Despite celeb status and prime placement at Sephora, She faced challenges resulting in a US exit Retail alone doesn’t secure loyalty or repeat sales Placement isn’t guaranteed forever For lasting success, think beyond the retail PO Some markers of a sustainable brand include: Authenticity, community, differentiated formulas, and true fans Building a lasting brand legacy requires more than a retail presence – 👋🏾 Hi, I’m Monique, a former retail buyer turned beauty industry advisor who helps emerging brands ready to scale at big retail. If you are ready to scale and invest, book a discovery call, and let’s see if we can work together.

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AI in Retail: Bridging the Gap Between Ambition & Readiness for Generative AI I recently spoke with Michelle Pacynski, Ulta Beauty & Mike Dupuis, SPARC Group LLC about this topic. Before diving in, I find it helpful to ground the conversation in recent data: 1. According to a recent Forbes estimate, the AI market size is expected to reach $407 billion by 2027. 2. A global Accenture study (July) highlights that: - Companies with strong digital capabilities (data, cloud, security, etc.) are reinventing 2x as many functions with AI & are expected to drive 2x the value creation. - 50% of executives believe they can scale generative AI across their enterprise within 6-12 months, but only 13% are confident they have the right data strategies & digital capabilities to fully leverage GenAI. Why the gap? These insights set the stage for a deeper conversation. Here are some key themes we explored: 1. AI integration frameworks they've adopted: - Assist, Augment, Automate – This framework has helped categorize the 15-20 AI pilots running at any given time. It has especially reduced the pressure to automate everything right away, allowing teams to focus on assistive & augmentative use cases first. 2. Real-world AI implementation examples that required process changes & KPI definition: - Leverage GenAI from your SMS partner to create new audiences & test custom messaging. Process changes included: new workflows for both internal & external teams. KPIs: # of new customers acquired & conversion rates. - Launch a GenAI conversational experience during peak sales to manage case loads, while ensuring real humans are available for more complex queries. Process changes included: customer query routing & escalation procedures, with KPIs focused on # of cases resolved to satisfaction, incremental revenue from case resolutions etc. 3. Keeping up with the evolving world of AI: a) Follow key professors like Ethan Mollick & Stefano Puntoni b) Stay close to the VC community to learn about emerging applications & how people are thinking about the future c) Access to product engineers & innovation through involvement on Boards (e.g., Cordial) d) Attend key tech events like CES and SXSW. 4. How AI can transform retail, from customer experience to back-end operations: - Use weather data to inform inventory buying & planning, ensuring customers get the products they want in the channel they prefer. - The retailer that best uses GenAI applications to develop personalized & on-brand communication with customer segments will create the most value. c) Empower consumers to virtually try on products & learn more about them, both online & in-store. Finally, some questions to consider: - I wish consumers knew AI… - I wish regulations did… - I hope someone develops… There’s no doubt that AI is omnipresent, but achieving meaningful impact requires strong digital strategies, partnerships, and a sharp focus on data governance. #AI #Innovation #Transformation #Leadership

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GLP-1 use is changing the way people shop. Users are buying less of some products (like snacks and baked goods) and more of others — particularly supplements that address the side effects of a GLP-1 regimen. Retailers and brands need to keep this in mind in how they engage these shoppers, by tailoring offerings to these shifting needs. NielsenIQ's Yvonne Buisson and Ryan Harkey gave an awesome presenation today on the topic at ECRM's Vitamin, Weight Management & Sports Nutrition Session, and I'll be sharing more details from it shortly on the ECRM LinkedIn page and blog! #glp1 #weightmanagement #food #retail #ecrmrangeme RangeMe

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Noom CEO Geoff Cook joined the Fitt Insider Podcast to discuss the company's evolution from psychology-based weight loss to a comprehensive health platform. We cover: 💊 GLP-1 Integration Noom expanded into medically-assisted weight loss, pairing GLP-1s with psychology-based behavior change. 💪 Program Innovation The company launched specialized features for GLP-1 users including protein tracking, Muscle Defense resistance training program, and body composition monitoring. 📱 Platform Evolution Geoff restructured the platform around the four C's: Content, Coaching, Community, and Clinical, with AI integration across features like food logging and body scanning. 📊 Business Model Geoff is also exploring freemium capabilities while maintaining Noom’s subscription offering, leveraging his experience leading The Meet Group's 40M monthly active users. 🌟 Future Vision  Positioning as a preventative health platform beyond weight loss, Noom is exploring expansion into broader health conditions and medical interventions. 🎧 Check the full interview on Apple, Spotify, Youtube, and more → https://lnkd.in/eThQzE7t 💪 Presented by EGYM

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Since stepping in as Chief Brand Officer, I’ve been honored to work alongside my amazing internal marketing team and the passionate team at DiMassimo Goldstein to create two compelling narratives for our new brand campaign from The Good Feet Store entitled “Back in the Picture” and “Good Feet, Good Life.” Each story brings to life how our clinically proven solution empowers people, from alleviating that nagging back pain to helping them get back to the daily joys we often take for granted. 📺 We’re backing this up with 10 new TV commercials (yep I said 10!) a brand new website and appointment scheduler at goodfeet.com (thank you Yext Arc4 Appointedd ) and over 200 campaign assets (yep that many) in English and in Spanish, tailored to meet people where they are. These stories don’t just talk about our product; they illustrate the possibilities that open up when pain is no longer in control: • Good Feet, Good Life focuses on those everyday moments our customers can reclaim with the support our system provides. • Back in the Picture dives deeper, showing how a life-changing solution can mean the world to people struggling with chronic pain. What makes this journey even more rewarding is the strength of our nearly 300-strong franchise and corp network of stores. Our franchisees and our corp store arch support specialists see firsthand the transformation that happens when someone finds relief. This campaign is as much about celebrating them as it is about building educated awareness. Their dedication drives us forward. One of the biggest misconceptions is that hip, knee, or back pain only impacts a specific age group. But the reality is pain doesn’t discriminate. According to the CDC, nearly 39% of adults struggle with back pain alone — and that affects people across generations. For anyone interested in seeing this campaign come to life, I’ve shared three of our commercials here. They’re just a glimpse of the work our team and franchise network are bringing to communities nationwide starting this week. Here’s to our unwavering comittment to helping people live the life they love two feet at a time! #Marketing #GoodFeetGoodLife #PainRelief #HealthAndWellness #BrandImpact #MPRBrands #GoodFeet Modern Performance + Recovery Brands ADWEEK Association of National Advertisers PTTOW! PTTOW! Next System One

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NOSTALGIC RETAIL SERIES: #7 - ZAYRE Brothers Max and Morris Feldberg founded a company in Boston in 1919 to supply undergarments to department stores. When sales began to decline, they ventured out to create a new discount department store. The first Zayre location opened in Hyannis in 1956. Zayre which was a transformation from the Jewish saying “Zehr fgut” which means very good, grew into one of the largest retail chains in the country with almost 1,200 locations nationwide. In the '70s, Zayre tried to buy Marshalls but failed. Their answer was to create a Marshalls clone, TJ Maxx, in 1977. Yes....TJ Maxx❗ In the mid 1980’s profits began to decline which eventually led to Zayre filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1988. The department store chain was then sold to Ames and by 1990 Zayre ceased to exist. Ames, kept the exterior similar to the style of the shuttered Zayre locations. Ames filed for bankruptcy protection in 2001 and their remaining stores were closed shortly after. Zayre’s one-time subsidiary TJX (TJMaxx, Marshalls, and HomeGoods) is thriving. Missed any in the series? Click here: https://bit.ly/3U8etfa #nostalgicretail #retail #shopping #brands #retailrealestate

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𝐀𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐧𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐤 The rumored interest by Mondelez in acquiring Hershey fits today’s CPG plotline: focus on core categories/capabilities, reshape the portfolio to be more growth-facing, and maintain competitive scale. The Mars / Kellanova deal set the stage, and now Mondelez is rumored to have its eye on Hershey to keep pace. Together, they would form another snacking giant at $50B annually. On the surface, there could be a fit—but not a perfect one - 𝐂𝐡𝐨𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐞𝐬 potentially offering sourcing leverage to help ensure supply and manage inflation - 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 that combined increase scale across the store (Mondelez dominant biscuits/cookies and Hershey dominant in confectionary) - 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚 𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐞𝐬 where the combined operation would bring manufacturing, distribution, and admin scale advantages - 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬. It’s tough to envision Mondelez finding much value in leveraging its well-developed global presence to expand Hershey’s brands. Hershey licenses Kit Kat from Nestle, so no expansion opportunity there (in fact, Nestle would happily bring this brand home.) Hershey’s two other powerhouse brands, Reeses and Hershey, historically haven’t traveled well due to their uniquely “American” heritage and taste profiles. When you take these 3 brands off the table, there’s nothing that compares to the potential Mars has with Pringles. There is one other major factor— 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭, which holds 30% of Hershey’s shares and 80% of the voting rights. If there is a deal on the table, they will be the ones to decide if it moves forward, and their motivations are more complex. The trust uses funds from its investments to care for children in need. How this deal would serve their long-term interested is hard to assess. If the Trust does agree to sell, the Pennsylvania State Attorney can still step in to stop the deal, which is what happened in 2002 after public outcry from the Trust-approved plan to sell to Wrigley. For now, we will wait and see. #Hershey #Mondelez #CPG #FMCG #M&A #Strategy #Snacking https://lnkd.in/e_cxz5Yb

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I’ve listened to this conversation 3 times already, so good! Must listen for anyone in the FMCG space. I could’ve listed so many more, but here’s 5 of my favourite snippets…👇 1. ‘Just Stay Alive’ David discussed how lots of things happen in business that feel fatal at the time, but in the grand scheme of things they really aren’t as damaging as you think. Once you’re alive, there’s always hope, and things can always get better. Just stay alive. 2. ‘Don't feel shame around failure, get energised by it’ I love this one. So often we run from failure, because we’re scared of what failing says about us & what we're capable of - and ultimately it dents our ego. But once you reframe failure as something that can help you to become better, it can allow you to actually learn and grow. Drop your ego, have a growth mindset, and use failure to get better. 3. People will always have something to say about what you're doing, how you're doing it, and how it could've been done better - but that doesn’t matter. Your one job is to stay alive. People will always pick holes & highlight how you could’ve done better, no matter what you do. You have to be open-minded, but you also have to be decisive and to believe in yourself & your vision. 4. ‘Your good decisions compound, your bad decisions compound’ This is powerful. What you do consistently matters - even if you can’t see it at the time. Cutting corners consistently, even on small things, will eventually catch up with you, and consistently making small steps in the right direction will eventually pay off. 5. ‘There’s lots of reasons why things don’t work, and there’s lots of reasons why things work’ I’ve saved my favourite to last! Everyone wants a quick fix, the top tip that’ll transform their business or their life, but that’s just not how things work. Success or failure isn’t down to one single thing, but a collection of things over a long period of time. Huge thanks to Jason Gibb & all the team at Bread and Jam for giving early stage founders the opportunity to hear these conversations, Fiona Fitzpatrick for asking such good questions & facilitating such an interesting conversation, and to David Lester for your honesty, humility & insight 🙌

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Highlights video from the recent excellent ISBA President's Lunch #cmo #marketing #advertising #digital #media #content #retailmedia #retail #measurement #effectiveness #healthandbeauty #ai #socialmedia

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Calling all HCPs in my network! Your expertise is needed to help define the future direction of a gut health innovation with global impact. Are you a physician, general practitioner, gastroenterologist, dietitian, or in a related field? Then we need your valuable input. Friends of mine are leading a groundbreaking project in gut health, supported by renowned global institutions. They need your input on three potential brand directions to understand which one is the most relevant and relatable for you as an HCP and for your patients/clients. This project is set to develop new, scientifically-backed food ingredients that could significantly improve gut health worldwide. The level of innovation they're pursuing is truly impressive, and your insights will be pivotal for its success. So if you can spare 30 minutes to talk about a groundbreaking gut solution please book a slot in the link below. https://lnkd.in/ewAxSEE5

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Inquiring minds want to know. Keto, paleo, intermittent fasting, GLP-1s, Function Health Mark Hyman, MD shows the desparation of people to try to figure out food. The current VC focus on food is around food is medicine which is chasing the niche of food insecure and a small subset of chronically ill. That IS NOT #foodishealth. Everyone needs food for health not just some small niche of the population. Last month Carter Williams posted a great early adoption graph and it showed that "People Who Want Newest Things" represented the Early Market with about 16%, made up of Innovators 2.5% and Early Adopters 13.5%. And it made me realize we need to leverage that Early Market. So what do you think? Innovative thinking isn't easy.

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🌍 ☕ Pausefika news: Amidst all the buzz surrounding the proposed $47bn buyout of Seven & i Holdings by Couche-Tard, let’s not forget another major development in the world of convenience retail — Żabka Polska (aka the "Polish 7/11") just went public! 🚀 (see: https://lnkd.in/dSrUjvdv ) On October 17th, Żabka's owner, CVC, listed a third of its shares on the Warsaw Stock Exchange (GPW) at a valuation of 21.5bn zlotys ($5.5bn), making it one of the largest IPOs in Poland's history. This move is giving a fresh boost to Poland’s stockmarket, which has been in need of a revival. 📈 With over 10,500 outlets and plans to expand with 4,500 more stores by 2028, Żabka is already Europe’s largest convenience-store chain by number of outlets. It’s a brand deeply integrated into Polish life — half of the country’s population lives within 500 meters of a Żabka. And its innovative solutions like the cashierless “Nano” stores and a top-notch mobile app are part of the reason why it's become so popular. 🛒💡 But this IPO isn’t just about Żabka’s growth — it’s also about the revitalization of the Warsaw Stock Exchange (GPW). The 🇵🇱 stockmarket has been struggling in recent years, but Żabka’s IPO is sparking new life into the bourse, drawing in retail investors and setting an example for other companies. More headline IPOs like this could put Warsaw’s market back on the map. 🌟 Let’s see how this little frog leaps! 🐸💚 Join IPO experts on Pausefika ! #IPO #Zabka #Poland #WSE #Retail #ConvenienceStore #BusinessGrowth #Investment #Couchetard #Pausefika

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Do you want an easy button for e-commerce success? Take it from the CEO of Bausch and Lomb Brent Saunders: "Brent Saunders, CEO of eye-health company Bausch + Lomb Corp. and an investor in Gomez’s Wondermind startup, said there’s a key factor for her success: authenticity." Bloomberg published a piece about Selena Gomez being a billionaire in her 5-year-old! Cosmetics brand Rare Beauty. Authenticity is hard to master and it isn't all one thing when it comes to your brand. Some big pieces of authenticity you always have to work on: 1. How you speak to your customers and what you say to them. 2. How you use your products or don't. 3. What products you choose to carry. https://lnkd.in/gedqy5Aa

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A good little read from Kearney Consumer Institute’s Q3 2024 Health & Wellness brief. It seems to break with a lot of conventional thinking on consumer messaging. Essentially, consumers are no longer chasing perfection (if they ever were). Instead, they're leaning into real, practical, and attainable wellness solutions. 1) Simplicity beats sophistication. People want easy, actionable approaches, not complexity. 2) Transparency and authenticity are winning over flashy promises. 3) Emotional well-being is now one of the biggest drivers of purchasing behavior. Bottom line takeaway from the article: The days of selling an unattainable wellness ideal are over.

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LinkedIn is being weird so I'm reposting. #RetailDisrupted is back after a summer break and my first guest is GameStop and Laura Mercier Cosmetics co-founder Gary Kusin. We talk about everything from malls and makeup to meme stocks! 💄 🎮 📈 ♦ GameStop’s origins: what inspired Gary and James McCurry to launch the world’s first video game store in the early 80s? ♦ The pivot to makeup: Gary discusses how a conversation with former Macy’s Chairman Terry Lundgren sparked the idea for Laura Mercier. ♦ Continuous improvement versus continuous change. ♦ Customer centricity: why so many brands today fail to get this right. ♦ Kinko’s: Gary shares how, as Kinko’s CEO, he turned the loss-making business into to a highly profitable enterprise that was later acquired by FedEx. ♦ Meme stocks: Gary shares his views on the GameStop stock market frenzy. Full episode in comments and is available on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. As always, if you're able to leave a quick ⭐ rating, this really helps the show! 🙏 https://lnkd.in/eWFUE7Vw #gamestop #lauramercier #kinkos #fedex #retailinsights #retail #retailpodcast #leadership #retailleadership #garykusin

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The world of duplicates seems to growing as pricing on national brands increases and consumers are always looking for "deals, bargains and savings". Check out this article - what are your thoughts??

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Once again food retailers are following rather than leading in the food-as-medicine space. Instacart has partnered with New York's largest health system, Northwell Health, to provide stipends for patients to purchase healthy food. Food retailers have an opportunity to take a leading role in helping shoppers improve their wellbeing and control, if not eliminate, some of the chronic health conditions that afflict a majority of the U.S. population. Technology is providing the tools - extensive attributes on every food item driven by diet, health condition, lifestyle, drug interactions, and more, are coming together with automated hyper-personalization to enable retailers to guide each individual shopper to foods beneficial to them. My white paper, Next-Generation Food-As-Medicine, lays out how food retailers can do well by doing good. The paper is available here: https://lnkd.in/gq-QuR5T https://lnkd.in/gGSaBJE2 #FAM Center for Advancing Retail & Technology (CART) Sifter Birdzi, Inc. Andrew Parkinson Thomas Parkinson Shekar Raman #food #grocery #supermarket #health #health&wellness #innovation #retail #CEO #CIO #CMO Supermarket News Instacart

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