Nancy Jacobson

You know which is the one business strategy that doesn’t fail? 🤔 Making an impeccable product that has unlimited demand. ⚓️ That’s me, pretending to look cute at one of my favorite candy stores - Parkside Candies in Buffalo, New York. Parkside Candies is a candy store that sells, assorted chocolates, candies, and ice cream. And they have been doing it since 100+ years. It is funny to me how so many people get hung up on: - Strategy - Business cases - Market assessments  - SWOT And whatnot... 🤷‍♂️ There is a reason why AI and automation will never replace businesses like roofing, gardening etc. Those businesses have an infinite demand and need quality supply. Codie A. Sanchez is the biggest advocate of “boring businesses” because three things that boring businesses do exceptionally well are: 1️⃣ Have a low barrier to entry 2️⃣ Make money 3️⃣ Hold real value in terms of assets and infrastructure The reason why Parkside Candies has been around for 100+ years is simple: 👇 🥇 Product and experience: Who doesn’t love candies? Kids, adults everyone loves candies and chocolates. Now. You can always buy candies and chocolates from Walmart or any other big chain store, but people come to Parkside for the experience. Nothing beats the experience of driving to the store sitting in the booth with your family and have a good laugh. 🏢 Segment: As long as there are humans there will be a demand of chocolates and candy. Buffalo is not the biggest cities in the world. Yet, Parkside has survived due to an impeccable product but also an infinite demand of candies and chocolates. 📝 The lesson here is - so many times people justify their inaction to start a business or build a company because... ❌ They are waiting to be interrupted by a big bold idea.  ❌ Or some breakthrough realization that no one has had or  ❌ Funding to launch and scale Whereas.. they can simply start by knocking on someone’s door and telling them that they will charge $10 an hour for cutting grass vs $20 as they don’t have the equipment to do so. 🔁 Rinse repeat and voila one day you can buy your equipment. 🔁 Rinse repeat and voila now you can hire your 1st simple. 💡 If you pay attention to one of the most success entrepreneurs, two pieces of advice they all give is: 1️⃣ Stick to 1st principles (common sense) 2️⃣ Don’t think of “creating demand”. Fill the demand by supply. You can be unique via your competitors in infinite ways. Story, branding, pricing, offers, etc. but one thing you cannot do - is create demand that doesn’t exist.  — Liked this article or learned something new? 🔔 Follow me Rochan Kakar for more on personal development, startup growth and entrepreneurship #entrepreneurship #buisnessstrategy

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Dollar General is enhancing its retail media program by teaming up with solutions provider Criteo. The commerce media platform will work with the retailer's Dollar General Media Network (DGMN) arm to support onsite sponsored ad offerings. Through this arrangement, brand partners can access inventory and campaign execution and utilize Criteo’s self-service demand-side platform. Among other capabilities, brands can leverage DGMN’s inventory within their private market through Criteo’s retailer monetization platform. In addition, the technology enables brands to reach Dollar General’s digital customers who often build lists online before making their weekly in-store purchases. Omnichannel insights will be available for marketers to see if sales are taking place online or in-store. | Progressive Grocer https://lnkd.in/gATgumgr #retail #retailmedia #grocery #shoppers #media #digital

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Tomorrow's edition of CPG Vibes, Episode 129 should be a fun one. Alex Bayer and I will have our usual CPG banter and...talking about (among other things) trending categories and what's on the horizon. We also are welcoming an "ask us anything" session...you can join us live with your question or put one in the comments here, or the event page and we'll answer. Sponsored this week by Kyowa Hakko USA as well as our ongoing sponsors My Way 3PL and RangeMe. Join us live tomorrow (8/9) at 12 PM/3 PM EST right here on LinkedIn. -click the episode link in the comments -hit the attend button -you'll get the notification when we go live. And if you haven't already, please leave us a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts (that link also in comments)...we're getting ever so close to 300, and we need YOUR help to get there. #cpg #sales #retail #grocery #crawlwalkrun

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Rapid grocer Gopuff launches B2B offering for DTC players, as reported by George Nott for The Grocer. In a strategic move to diversify its revenue streams and drive profitable order volume, Gopuff has unveiled "Powered by Gopuff," a groundbreaking platform enabling brands to utilize the rapid grocer's dark store and courier network for deliveries ordered through their own websites. With "Powered by Gopuff," shoppers can seamlessly make purchases on a brand's direct-to-consumer website, with orders automatically directed to the nearest Gopuff micro-fulfilment center. Here, orders are swiftly picked, packed, and delivered to customers, promising delivery times as fast as 15 minutes. Over the past six months, the platform has undergone rigorous testing with 20 FMCG brands, including industry giants like Ben & Jerry’s, Unilever, Mondelez International, and Nestlé. This initiative marks a significant shift for Gopuff, extending its proprietary fulfillment and logistics capabilities beyond its own app for the first time. Daniel Folkman, Senior Vice President of Business at Gopuff, emphasized the company's commitment to meeting customer demands for fast, reliable delivery. "With the launch of Powered by Gopuff, we're also becoming the fabric of instant commerce, empowering brands to deliver seamless experiences to their customers," Folkman stated. As part of the launch, Gopuff introduces "Storefronts," a Shopify-based online store theme integrated with Gopuff APIs. This allows brands to swiftly launch DTC sites, streamlining the process from weeks or months to a matter of days. Jay Tandan, Global Head of Digital Marketing at Ben & Jerry's, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, highlighting the simplicity and convenience of Gopuff's micro-fulfillment centers. "Storefronts Powered by Gopuff solves that struggle for us and for Ben & Jerry’s fans across the country," Tandan remarked. Currently available across the US, Gopuff is considering a UK launch for its Powered by Gopuff offering. Additionally, the company plans to roll out "Fulfillment Powered by Gopuff" in Q2, a standalone warehousing and logistics service enabling brands to integrate and promote instant delivery on their existing DTC websites. While Gopuff is not the first to offer such services, with Deliveroo and Jiffy exploring similar models, its move signifies a significant advancement in the quick-commerce sector. As brands increasingly seek efficient delivery solutions, Gopuff's "Powered by Gopuff" platform emerges as a transformative force in the industry, poised to redefine the future of e-commerce fulfillment. Stay ahead with the latest in food delivery news from the weekly Boolanga Business Bites newsletter, brought to you by Wear Your Brand. Sign up for our LinkedIn newsletter now to receive weekly updates directly to your inbox every Monday.

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"Just about every U.S. household purchased a private label item in the past year." Private label is here to stay and is only growing! Numerator's private label tracker provides an ongoing look at private label performance across product sectors, channels, and retailers, as well as consumer sentiment from verified buyers of store-brand products. Check out some of these highlights below:

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I love seeing how Jones Road Beauty and Founder Bobbi Brown is innovating with product launches. Here are a few strategies I'm breaking down from her most recent launch, the Miracle Balm Palette, launched last week. Retail Strategy Spotlight: Jones Road Beauty's Brilliant Move with the Miracle Balm Palette: A perfect example of leveraging customer favorites to drive growth. Here's why it's genius: 1️⃣ Customer-Centric Approach • Builds on the popularity of their limited-edition mini miracle balms • Addresses customer demand for variety and portability 2️⃣ Smart Price Positioning • Lower price point ($32) reduces barrier to entry • Encourages experimentation with multiple shades 3️⃣ Acquisition & Conversion Strategy • Attracts new customers with an accessible product • Potential to upsell to full-size products later 4️⃣ Limited Edition 2.0 • Brings back popular limited mini sized SKUs in a fresh format • Creates urgency and excitement among loyal customers 5️⃣ Travel-Friendly Design • Taps into the growing travel beauty trend • Perfect for on-the-go touch-ups 🔮 My Future Product Predictions: I'd love to see Jones Road apply this strategy to their Face Pencil next. Imagine: • Double-ended pencils with complementary shades • Mini travel pack with 3 shades + blender brush What do you think? How could other beauty brands apply these strategies to their product lines? Share your thoughts in the comments. #RetailStrategy #BeautyIndustry #ProductInnovation #CustomerCentered

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#Grocery retailers are shrinking their shelf space and it's putting TREMENDOUS financial stress on #CPG brands -- according to a great article this week from The Wall Street Journal. ⚫ Between 2009 and 2023, supermarket and supercenter sq. footage decreased 3-5% ⚫ The number of unique products on shelf were cut nearly 9% between 2020 and 2023 (Data Source: NIQ) Meanwhile, retailers are giving their own brands more "slots" to attract #inflation-weary consumers, making finding a space for national brands as challenging and as expensive as finding a NYC apartment. (or so I hear) >>> SO WHAT? The imperative to maximize brand real estate on the #digitalshelf has never been stronger as a counterweight to declining physical placement. CPG sales and financial leaders MUST take their investment in #rediamedia, #content and #omnichannel analytics way more seriously. Afterall, on the digital shelf: ⚫ Space is unlimited and it's less premium to buy ⚫You can expose consumers to a much larger assortment that meets more needs -- larger bulk packs, variety packs, cross-brand bundles ⚫ You don't have to wait for the annual line reset to change where you're located -- it changes every day and you can INFLUENCE it ⚫ It's easier to merchandise cross category -- In store, you could never put yogurt next to cereal or breakfast bars but on the digital shelf it's possible using display and search ads ⚫ You can be more agile when it comes to optimization because you can get analytics daily vs the typical weekly or monthly cadence for in store -- which is especially critical when launching new products The point is: CEOs and CFOs must stop thinking of #ecommerce as secondary to their physical retail business and instead, treat it like the ENABLER and potential SAVIOR of their physical retail business. At Profitero, helping CPG executives pivot their brands and organizations toward digital shelf excellence is what we do and think about everyday. To read the article, see the link in my comments below (subscription required). Message me if you'd like a copy. 👇

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I love Target. As a consumer - love Target. As someone who has the opportunity to dive into data surrounding retail - love Target. Sometimes we exaggerate a negative earnings or a period of rougher situations, but the reality is they are still an awesome retailer and the future might be even brighter.... Why? The rise of the middle. Another reason? Really smart strategic initiatives to adapt to economic opportunities both good and bad. Another reason? Embracing technology.... Basically, lots of reasons. Do you have thoughts on Target? Let us know in the comments below.

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In the world of branded food, a critical gap often overlooked is the deep understanding of core consumers and brand identity. Too many early-stage food companies see packaging as just a container, missing its true power. Your packaging isn't just a wrapper—it's your brand's billboard. It tells your story, defines your values, and sets you apart in a crowded market. Brand identity is essential for distinguishing a brand and maintaining customer loyalty, especially in the franchising sector, where it is key in driving value. A lack of alignment on this can easily make or break a deal. During my conversation with the 1851 Franchise on successful mergers and acquisitions in franchising, I emphasized other critical factors such as a strong back office, well-defined standard operating procedures, robust field support, and a cooperative partnership with the franchisor. At Greenwich Capital Group LLC, we observe firsthand how effective implementation of these elements can influence outcomes in the M&A market. To read the full article, click here: https://lnkd.in/gByQbPGd

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Krispy Kreme recently announced that it’s relaunching its loyalty program that allows customers to earn points and perks faster than the previous iteration. The old program was archaic – a free item for every 12 purchases. This doesn’t work because modern consumers seek quick gratification – they don't want to wait for 12 purchases to reap rewards. Even with the new system offering 10 points per dollar, this core issue remains. Nobody wants to save up points towards hypothetical rewards and then have to decide what to spend it on. What if instead of making customers save points and choose rewards later, a brand could automatically recognize and cater to individual preferences? Imagine a program that knows you prefer jelly-filled donuts over glazed and offers rewards aligned with your tastes right when you want them. Different consumers value rewards differently. I might always order filled jelly donuts, but you might only like glazed, yet all of us get offered the same rewards at the same points conversion rates. At Hang, we've rethought loyalty to focus on personalized experiences and real-time engagement. By analyzing individual preferences and perceived value, we tailor rewards that maximize both customer satisfaction (based on an individual’s perceived value) and ROI for brands. This approach transforms loyalty programs from mere points systems to dynamic engagement tools. Rather than offering the same boring points programs, we allow brands of all sizes to offer fun and engaging experiences like randomization through mystery boxes and interactive modules like minigames that keep customers consistently engaged with brands, beyond the point of purchase. It’s not just about accumulating points; it’s about creating memorable experiences that offer surprise and delight moments. This is the essence of a successful modern loyalty program—visceral, engaging, and closely aligned with what customers love, ensuring they feel valued and understood.

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🚨 New Podcast Alert! 🚨 In this week’s Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, Anne Mezzenga and I dove deep into the top retail headlines shaping the future of omnichannel experiences. From Amazon’s groundbreaking move with AI-powered ads to Zara’s bold entry into the secondhand market, this episode is packed with insights you don’t want to miss! 💡🎙️ Here’s a sneak peek at what we cover: 🔸 Amazon Tests AI-Powered Ads (7:52) — What does this mean for the future of product search? Will it be revolutionary or just another evolution in digital advertising? 🔸 Costco Wholesale’s Mobile Inventory Search (12:25) — Find out how Costco is helping shoppers locate products with a new mobile feature, and whether it’s a game-changer or not. 🔸 Biden’s De Minimis Exception Changes (18:00) — The U.S. is cracking down on this trade exception. How will it impact global e-commerce and companies like Temu and SHEIN? 🔸 Marketplace vs. Dropship with Mirakl’s Alex Hase (23:15) — Get an expert breakdown on why retailers should consider both models for scaling their online assortments. 🔸 Zara’s Secondhand Launch in the U.S. (29:12) — Could Zara’s move into resale be the future of sustainable fashion? Plus, we discuss Amazon’s return-to-office mandate (35:34) and tackle a fun Lightning Round (41:07) featuring leopard print, Starbucks, and more! 🐆☕️ Watch the video below or click this link to listen to our podcast and get ahead of the retail trends! 👇 https://lnkd.in/gA637z-2 Special thanks to our partners the Alvarez & Marsal Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Avalara, Ownit AI and Ocampo Capital who help to make the living our dream a reality each week! #retailnews #ecommerce #omnichannel #retailtechnology #amazon #costco #AI #secondhandfashion #marketplaces #dropshipping #futureofretail #podcast

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Thanks Parvez Musani for sharing this. A must read playbook for everyone in Retail. I like what I see on Slide 10 ;)

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Weee! Partners with Topsort to Revolutionize Retail Media for Online Asian Supermarket Sellers Key Points: • Weee!, the largest online Asian supermarket in the U.S., has partnered with Topsort to upgrade its retail media infrastructure, transitioning from an in-house advertising solution to a scalable, self-service platform. • Topsort’s AI-driven, low-code platform offers features like autobidding, keyword targeting, and auction-based models, enabling sellers to optimize campaign performance and reach wider audiences. • The new system significantly improved results, achieving an average 4.8x ROAS during A/B testing and enhancing seller satisfaction. • Integration was completed in under a month, with Topsort providing comprehensive onboarding support for sellers. • The partnership aligns with Weee!’s mission to provide culturally rich, hard-to-find grocery items to U.S. customers while empowering sellers with advanced retail media tools. What it Means: ✅ The transition to Topsort enhances scalability and efficiency, helping Weee! meet growing platform demands. ✅ Sellers gain access to powerful self-service tools that boost visibility, engagement, and campaign success. ✅ A successful rollout signals the potential for further marketplace innovation and revenue growth for Weee! ✅ Strong collaboration between Weee! and Topsort demonstrates the value of AI-driven retail media solutions for e-commerce platforms. ✅ By improving seller confidence and performance, Weee! strengthens its marketplace and commitment to community-focused retail. Progressive Grocer | https://lnkd.in/gr9gAGbr #retail #supermarkets #ecommerce #retailmedia #AI #onlineretail #Weee

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Here’s some great recruiting advice from Caitlin Leibert. It’s straightforward, but requires deep thinking, practice, and self-reflection. In the fast-paced world of retail—especially grocery retail—I couldn’t agree more with Caitlin. How you get things done defines you as a candidate and as a leader. You have to seek knowledge, go deep into what you're most passionate about, and constantly refine your approach. As Caitlin puts it, “You have to deeply understand the science, and you have to be equally successful in the art. How we get those things done is really where you will set yourself apart as a practitioner.” One piece of advice from Caitlin that stands out is the importance of curiosity in leadership. In her words, "Driving change is really hard in systems, but if you approach each 'No' with curiosity instead of discouragement, that’s when real growth happens." At Whole Foods Market, one of the things I love most is the deep connection with subject matter experts across various teams. We get to closely observe how our effort are contributing to the betterment of the world 🌎 . Caitlin’s mission of driving positive change in the food system by leveraging the power of retail is inspiring. For those of you out there looking to grow in your career, remember this: Leadership is not about having all the answers. It’s about being curious, asking the right questions, and staying committed to making a difference. #recruiting #sustainability #leadership https://lnkd.in/g8d5HYkr

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Recapping the Walmart Fireside Chat from Founders' Innovation Day in NYC, hosted by ECRM. The session featured Amber Bynum, Vice President of Consumer Health & Wellness Sourcing at Walmart, discussing their new strategies for engaging with emerging brands. 🔥 Key Insights: - Revamped Strategy: Walmart is now focusing on more approachable, phased partnerships with new brands through regional testing and online market testing before considering national rollouts. - Philosophical Shift: Amber emphasized a shift from "bringing the world to Walmart" to "bringing the Walmart to the world," opening the door for a diverse range of products and brands. - Testing Ground: Success on Walmart.com is now a gateway to in-store opportunities, highlighting the importance of the online marketplace as a test bed for new products. - Impressive Stats: With 90% of Americans living within 10 miles of a Walmart and 255 million customers shopping weekly, two-thirds of the products sold are made in the USA. 🚀 For Emerging Brands: - Integration: Evaluate how your product fits into the Walmart ecosystem. - Content Is King: Effective use of content and social media is crucial as Walmart category managers appreciate efforts that drive store traffic. - Sales Impact: It’s essential to determine if your products drive incremental sales and increase basket sizes or just serve as another option in your category. The session provided a deep dive into Walmart’s evolving retail strategy, highlighting new opportunities for brands looking to expand their presence in the retail giant's network. What are your thoughts on Walmart’s approach to working with new and emerging brands? #retail #cpg #beverage #grocery #ecommerce Wild Bill’s Craft Beverage Co. RangeMe Joseph Tarnowski Sarah Davidson Wayne Bennett

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Podcast: Powering Resale for Conscious Retailers with Continue 🎙️

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🐾 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝘄𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵 🛒 Chewy has delivered another impressive quarter, showing the strength of the pet e-commerce market! With revenue up by 𝟭𝟰% 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿-𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿-𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝘁𝗼 $𝟮.𝟳 𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻, the online pet retailer continues to thrive, driven by the growing demand for 𝗽𝗲𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘀 and 𝘀𝘂𝗯𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻-𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀. Key highlights from this quarter: • 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗼𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗖𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝗲𝘀 increased to 𝟳𝟰.𝟵% of total sales. • Strong growth in 𝗽𝗲𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀, including pharmacy and insurance. • Focus on 𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 and expanding Chewy’s loyal base of pet parents. As the pet industry continues to expand, Chewy's focus on personalized customer experiences and essential pet services has positioned them as a leader in the market. This is a prime example of how eCommerce players can leverage loyalty programs and health-related offerings to drive repeat purchases. Read the full article below 👇🏾: https://lnkd.in/g86vruKK

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