QuickWit Weekly (1/24) – Last Week’s Top Retail News

dunnhumby rolls out customer-first media platform

Retail data science company dunnhumby has rolled out dunnhumby Sphere, an all-in-one customer-first retail media platform. The end-to-end retail media platform takes users from brand insights to campaign billing through a fully integrated set of modules, helping to unify audience targeting, media booking, forecasting and measurement across a range of retail media channels.

Designed for retailers looking to build and grow their retail media capability, Sphere enables them to scale and maximize revenues from retail media, while advertising partners can take advantage of enhanced collaboration and the ability to plan, book, measure and pay for campaigns across online and in-store channels.

Kroger Announces 10 Food Trend Predictions for 2022

The Kroger Co. today announced its 2022 Food Trends Report, which predicts emerging food trends, consumer behaviors and popular items for the year ahead. This fourth-annual report centers on the continued dominance of at-home meals, powered by convenience, affordability, social gatherings, and the desire for sustainable and nutrient-rich food items.

Gopuff launches its first private label

Whether you call it QCommerce or rapid delivery what you can’t call it is profitable; it was reported that JOKR, another rapid delivery company was losing $159 per order in the U.S. as of last August.  So these companies are going to have to look to alternative revenue.  Already some have leaned in to the BNPL (buy now pay later) trend to gain interest and transaction charges, others have begun experimenting with Retail Media, and now GoPuff announced today they launched their own private label.

Aldi launches ‘just walk out’ checkout-free store

Aldi has become the first discounter to offer ‘just walk out’ shopping, with the opening today of a checkout-free store in Greenwich, London. The Aldi Shop&Go concept store in Greenwich High Street opened this morning “for public testing”, having been tested by Aldi over recent months.

Oscar Mayer launches face ‘bologna-inspired’ face masks

Oscar Mayer takes a shot at the self-care space, with the launch of a gag product that was developed with Korean beauty and skincare brand Seoul Mamas and retails for $5 a piece. While resembling Oscar Mayer’s signature cold cut, the face mask contains no actual meat, but does have ingredients intended to promote skin hydration and elasticity, along with anti-inflammatory benefits. You have to love Oscar Mayer playing into the “New Year, New You” mantra centered around self-improvement, but we are going to assume not everyone will feel the same. They are available now, while supplies last!

M&Ms to update their mascots

M&Ms is updating its branding to put a larger emphasis on inclusivity and belonging. The effort was done in partnership with creative agency BBDO New York, design shop Jones Knowles Ritchie and public relations firm Weber Shandwick. The Mars Wrigley line’s ampersand will be used more prominently, doubling as a point of connection between the two Ms and a symbol of how the brand can unite people. M&Ms mascots are getting a modernized look as well, with makeovers drawing out their “nuanced personalities” in a celebration of self-expression. M&Ms color palette and a mix of candies in different shapes and sizes will receive greater attention to demonstrate how society is more fun together, while marketing will focus more on unifying messages while preserving M&Ms established sense of humor. 

Coca-Cola refreshes their can design

The packaging redesign covers Coca-Cola’s flavored products and their zero-sugar counterparts. The Flavors line includes Cherry, Vanilla and Cherry Vanilla products. Full-color cans will correspond to single flavors, while stacked colors will mean dual flavors. In addition, full-sugar drinks will have a bold Coca-Cola logo in white while zero sugar drinks will have the logo in black.

Target’s Jill Sando recognized as Top Merchant by MMR

The 24-year company veteran and now chief merchandising officer, has played a central leadership role in the strength and durability of Target’s merchandising. The official announcement of Sando’s elevation to the role of chief merchant for all of hard lines and soft lines last February described her as “one of the industry’s most skilled merchants, known for her eye for trend, curation and anticipating guests’ needs across Target’s multi-category assortment.”

Alcohol Delivery to reach $2 billion this year

Online alcohol sales from grocery stores more than quadrupled from an estimated $441 million in 2019 to $1.6 billion in 2021, and sales are expected to grow roughly 15% in 2022, reaching $1.87 billion. The crazy part is that it could have been $3 billion, if sales share matched in-store. Penetration rates of online alcohol sales are catching up to the rest of the CPG industry, but more investment is needed to further gains, the report said.

Amazon to ‘electrify’ their delivery fleet

Often getting slammed for their carbon footprint, Amazon is making a pledge to make half their fleet carbon neutral by 2030. They have made many efforts to improve efficiency, but it does seem like overkill when you see 11 different Amazon trucks come down your street every day – what happened to drone delivery, Mr Bezos?

Last March, we called out and wrote a POV on ‘retooling season’.

Retooling season is is the pivot point in the fiscal year where companies can reflect on the year that was, and evaluate “who” helps them move forward."

First quarter is usually the time of year where we see a high level of executive turnover and this year ‘retooling season’ is starting early.

Walmart U.S. makes key leadership appointments

Walmart has started the new year with some turnover at the top of its U.S. executive ranks, including its chief merchandising, customer and e-commerce officers..  Walmart’s e-commerce chief Casey Carl is leaving the big-box retailer, according to a company memo. He will be succeeded by Tom Ward, a Walmart executive who has led high-profile and innovative efforts from testing drones to turning stores into fulfillment hubs for online grocery orders.

Gorillas appoints Luanne Calvert as CMO

Luanne Calvert, who has worked at Walmart, Google and Yahoo, will lead the instant needs startup’s global marketing staff and hold a seat on its management board

Inserra Supermarkets Welcomes New SVP, Future Leader

Inserra Supermarkets, Inc., with ShopRite and Price Rite Marketplace banners in New Jersey and New York, is planning for both the short-term and long-term future with the hiring of Jim Dorey as SVP. The company plans to move Dorey into the president and COO position following the retirement of current executive Ron Onorato, who announced plans to retire from those roles within the next two years.

Northeast Grocery CEO Scott Grimmett to Retire

Northeast Grocery Inc. (NGI), the parent company of Price Chopper/Market 32 and Tops Markets, has revealed the impending retirement of CEO Scott Grimmett in February, at which time former Tops Markets Chairman and CEO Frank Curci will take over the role

Forever 21 names new CEO

Forever 21 has named Winnie Park as its new chief executive officer, filling the slot vacated by former CEO Daniel Kulle who left to join H&M. Ms. Park comes to Forever 21 from Paper Source, where she served as CEO for the past six years.

Regional Grocers name new executives

SpartanNash has named Bennett Morgan as senior vice president and chief merchandising officer, the grocery retailer and wholesaler said in a press release Tuesday. He was formerly a category leader for Amazon’s Fresh stores and oversaw produce, protein and center store products. They also name Amy McClellan as the new Chief Marketing Officer. She most recently served as vice president of fresh merchandising and is charged with helping the company improve its branding and e-commerce business.

In addition, Midwestern grocer Coborn’s said last week it has appointed Chief Operating Officer Dave Meyer as president.

Jen Warner is named president of the Raley’s operating division

The Raley’s Companies promoted her into a role in which she will oversee the privately held retailer’s Raley’s, Bel Air, Nob Hill Foods and Raley’s ONE Market banners in California and Nevada.