Thick Data

  1. Trends & External Forces

CEO Survey:  Economy Remains Solid

A Business Roundtable survey of more than 100 US CEOs concludes that “the breakneck pace of corporate hiring may slow in coming months, but the overall economy remains solid,” Axios reports. According to the story, “The view from the corporate suite is of an economy that can come off its inflationary hot boil — without […]
2 min read
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  1. Trends & External Forces

Your Views:  Business.  Not Personal.

Yesterday we took note of a Boston Globe story about how youth organizers with the Hyde Square Task Force in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, did significant market research and figured out that a grocery cart of items at their local Stop & Shop cost $34 more than the same products at the chain’s store in suburban […]
12 min read
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  1. Trends & External Forces

Scarred by the 2008 Recession and COVID, 48% of Gen Z Frequently Shops at Discount Stores

As the oldest members of Gen Z move into their mid-20s and the youngest enter their teen years, personal finance concerns are high on their list of worries. That sense of unease is to be expected from a cohort shaped by both the 2008-2009 Great Recession and the COVID pandemic, and it’s had a big […]
4 min read
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  1. Department & Category

Spring and Summer Snacks take Center Stage

  How do you keep the kids happy when school get out?  Fill the house with more snacks.  The average household with a teenager out of school will spend $ 300 more a month on food.  According to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions® a mix of full flavored hot and […]
3 min read
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  1. Department: Food

Inflation, Recession, & The Bifurcated Consumer

The Los Angeles Times has an excellent story about how Southern Californians are strategizing to save money at the grocery store. First, some context for their decision-making: “The U.S. is not in a recession, but the psychological weight of that possibility — combined with the effects of still-high inflation — have consumers bracing for the […]
2 min read
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  1. Trends & External Forces

NRF foresees soft landing for economy

WASHINGTON – Consumer spending provides reason for optimism about the economy, according to the National Retail Federation’s chief economist, who expects a soft landing from the period of high inflation that has prevailed for the past few years. “Today’s economy is a lot like looking into a kaleidoscope, with the view changing and the data […]
2 min read
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  1. Shopper & Customer

NRF Survey: Consumers Believe Retail Crime is Increasing

More than half (53 percent) of consumers believe retail crimes such as shoplifting and looting stores have increased in their community since the onset of the pandemic, according to a recent survey released by the National Retail Federation (NRF). The survey, in which the NRF asked consumers a series of questions relating to crime, retail […]
2 min read
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  1. Media & Marketing

The Hollow Value Of A Five-Star Rating

The Wall Street Journal this morning has a piece about the “confusion over what constitutes 5-star behavior for certain services, combined with the guilt of potentially hurting someone’s livelihood, has people defaulting to perfect scores. Ratings padding is particularly rampant for services involving personal interactions.  “Just like the children in the fictional Lake Wobegon, everyone […]
2 min read
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  1. Channel: Drug

CVS Pharmacy launches home vitamin dispensing system

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Pharmacy announced the launch of its CVS Health QuickServe Vitamin Dispensing System, an easy-to-assemble vitamin dispenser that holds a 30-day supply of select CVS Health vitamins and supplements. Its sleek countertop design promotes “vitaminimalism” — the simplification of vitamin and supplement routines, eliminating the clutter of pill bottles and keeping vitamins and supplements front and […]
2 min read
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  1. Shopper & Customer

The Rise of the Marketplace Business Model

“Marketplace” is a bit of a buzzword in the e-commerce space at the moment, and it’s not hard to see why. One-third of all U.S. business now flows through e-commerce, and 63 percent of that is through marketplaces. Marketplaces aren’t necessarily replacing traditional commerce channels like brick-and-mortar stores, or even websites. Instead, they’ve expanded how retailers connect […]
3 min read
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  1. Shopper & Customer

3 Strategies for Retailers to Stay Competitive in the Face of Inflation

Consumers and businesses are both being impacted by ongoing inflation. Retailers must change their tactics in the current economic environment. They must understand the trends that have developed as a result of this inflationary environment in order to respond. In this post, I’ll look at three tactics retailers may use to weather the current economic […]
3 min read
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  1. Shopper & Customer

What is market intelligence and how is it used?

If market intelligence feels like one of those buzzwords you should know the ins and outs of but don’t, you’ve come to the right place. In this blog, we’ll run you through a definition of market intelligence, why it’s important, what it’s used for, and an example of how it helped a brand develop a […]
4 min read
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  1. Media & Marketing

The Future of Retail: Rethinking Digital Signage to Improve the In-Store Experience

Expectations are never-ending in the retail industry. They’re also ever-changing — even more so in light of recent events. People have different mindsets when entering a brick-and-mortar store. Some people are certainly cautious about in-person interactions, so they’re often in the store for a specific reason. Others might have just stopped in out of happenstance, […]
4 min read
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  1. Department & Category

Should a Restaurant Evolve into a Grocerant

  Regular readers of this blog know that as restaurants continue to evolve in foodservice the most likely space and best fit just might be the Grocerant Niche. That space is wide open it is not dominated by Restaurants, Convenience Stores, Grocery Stores, Drug Stores, or Dollar stores according to Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions® […]
4 min read
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  1. Data & Insights

ChatGPT is Now Guiding Consumer Decisions; What Does it Mean for Brands?

Among the hallmarks of direct-to-consumer (DTC) e-commerce is the ability to learn, directly from the consumer, what helped guide their purchase decision. Over the years, such insights have given DTC brands the jump on many up-and-coming marketing channels, including podcasts, Snapchat, TikTok … and at this moment, ChatGPT. Within the past few months, consumer responses […]
3 min read
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  1. Shopper & Customer

If You Want to Succeed in High-Heat Retail, Bake Fairness into the Experience

There have never been more barriers to the things we enjoy in life. Everything from limited edition sneakers to international stadium tour tickets have become seemingly unattainable. Consumers are often met with an unfair experience, failing websites, bots eating up stock. But with 73% of consumers saying that “a good experience is key in influencing […]
3 min read
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  1. Department & Category

All Food Retailers Need to Remember Earth Day is More than just One Day a Year

  Time and time again restaurants, convenience stores, service delis, and all fresh food retailers need to remember that consumers continue to have a growing top-of-mind awareness of all things sustainable.  Within the grocerant niche the ‘halo’ of better-for-you is a driving factor in the path to purchase according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at […]
2 min read
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  1. Department & Category

A day in the life of a money-saving mum in 2023

Most of the UK experienced an unusual feeling this week: warm sunshine. Less welcome, sadly, was the news that food prices were still stubbornly, and for too many people, debilitatingly high. With food inflation at 19.1%, close to a record high, it is only right that Mintel focuses attention on those consumers who are struggling […]
2 min read
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  1. Shopper & Customer

One in five Brits prioritising festivals over holidays this summer, eBay Ads research finds

With Glastonbury 2023 fast approaching, 20% of Brits plan to prioritise festivals over holidays this summer, according to research from eBay Ads. The findings, based on a survey of 1,000 UK consumers, reveal that 28% expect this festival season to be the biggest following the pandemic, with a further 22% saying this is the most […]
2 min read
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  1. Data & Insights

2023 Corporate Reputation Rankings

The Axios Harris Poll 100 is a trusted ranking of the reputations of the companies most on the minds of Americans using a framework Harris has used since 1999. Download the 25th Annual Reputation Quotient Study report to view the full rankings and gain additional insights about performance year over year.
2 min read
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  1. Shopper & Customer

Grocery shoppers expand perception of value

ARLINGTON, Va. — Grocery shoppers are considering a wider range of factors beyond just price when they evaluate whether the items they buy offer “good value,” according to a recent survey conducted by FMI – The Food Industry Association. The survey, part of FMI’s  U.S. Grocery Shopping Trends 2023 series, sheds light on the evolving […]
2 min read
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  1. Trends & External Forces

Albertsons survey: Americans prioritizing wellness

BOISE, Idaho — Most consumers intend to improve some aspect of their physical health in 2023, according to a recent survey conducted by Albertsons Cos. But half say they are not sure that they’re making healthy choices while grocery shopping. The survey of 1,000 adults in the U.S. was conducted in March to help the […]
2 min read
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  1. Associates & Employees

Survey:  What Workers Really Care About

A new Washington Post-Ipsos poll is out, looking at worker attitudes and finding that “about 8 in 10 workers are satisfied with their jobs, even as over 6 in 10 say work is stressful.” And, “While desire to work from home is a priority for some workers, pay, having a good boss or manager and […]
3 min read
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  1. Merchandising

Best Practices for Retail-Ready Packaging

Retail ready packaging is an essential part of your product release. It improves visibility online and on store shelves and boosts appeal to consumers by engaging them with products before they buy them. Statistics show packaging design influences consumers’ decisions. Ipsos says two thirds of survey respondents perceive products packaged in cardboard or paper as being high […]
5 min read
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  1. Associates & Employees

Hybrid work is here to stay — but are your employees?: 2023 Workplace Experience Trends & Insight Report

A new report from Appspace delves into how to navigate employee experience and satisfaction in a hybrid world based on a survey of more than 800 employees. No matter where employees sit, many of the challenges remain the same: struggles with finding the right technology and crafting the right messages for audiences with differing needs. […]
< 1 min read
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  1. Channel: Convenience

Wawa Mix and Match Meal Bundling Drives Sales

  Regular readers of this blog know that Wawa is a fast casual convenience store aka restaurant chain that sells gasoline.  Wawa’s customer loyalty was built on Milk, Coffee, and their famous Hoagie according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®. Mix and match meal bunding is the foundation of success […]
3 min read
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  1. Shopper & Customer

What Retailers Need to Know About How Today’s Shoppers Are Using Reviews

In today’s competitive, increasingly omnichannel marketplace, retail leaders know great customer experiences (CX) are key to revenue growth, customer retention and long-term brand success. Investments in CX and building genuine customer relationships pay off by driving customer loyalty. In fact, Kroger shared that its loyal shoppers spend 10 times more than occasional shoppers. To see […]
3 min read
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  1. Data & Insights

The Daily Scoop: What’s next for brands after Montana bans TikTok

Plus: More news you can use today.  A controversial ban on TikTok in Montana means that come January, this social media platform will be no more in the Treasure State, CNN reported. Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte signed the ban this week, calling it a way to “protect Montanans’ personal and private data from the Chinese Communist Party,” he […]
3 min read
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Editor’s Choice

  1. Channel: Mass
  2. Channel: Grocery - Natural
  3. Channel: Mass
  4. Channel: Specialty & Other
  5. Department & Category
  6. Department: Consumer Durables
  7. Department: Nonfood
  8. Corporate Strategy
  9. Media & Marketing
  10. Shopper & Customer
  11. Trends & External Forces
  12. Merchandising
  13. Stores & Formats

Target Leapfrogs Walmart For Upscale Grocery Approach

Bloomberg has a story about how “a slew of retailers are beefing up their grocery investments to lure in consumers cutting back on non-essentials like clothing and electronics. But as they lay out plans to improve their food offerings and supply chains, the big question is how does one compete with the mighty Walmart Inc. on […]
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  1. Department: Beverage
  2. CPG: Adult Beverage
  3. CPG: Beverage
  4. CPG: Food
  5. CPG: Food & Bev
  6. CPG: HBC
  7. Channel: Ecommerce & Digital
  8. Channel: Restaurants
  9. Department & Category
  10. Department: Adult Beverage
  11. Department: Beverage
  12. Department: Food
  13. Department: HBC
  14. Department: Nonfood
  15. Corporate Strategy
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  22. Shopper & Customer
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  24. Trends & External Forces
  25. Merchandising
  26. Operations & Supply Chain

Circana reveals 2022 New Product Pacesetters

CHICAGO – Circana, formerly IRI and The NPD Group, has released its 2022 New Product Pacesetters, the 28th annual report revealing the top new product launches across food and beverage and nonfood sectors. The report illustrates the enduring power of CPG innovation, revealing that consumer spending on new product offerings remained elevated last year despite challenges […]
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  1. Channel: Mass
  2. Channel: Mass
  3. Acquisitions, Divestitures & Mergers
  4. Media & Marketing
  5. Retailer Media
  6. Shopper & Customer
  7. Trends & External Forces
  8. Owned Brands (Private Label)

Walmart Upgrades Its Digital Ad Network

From Advertising Age: “Walmart Connect, which has made huge gains in recent years through digital advertising, is testing ways to bolster in-store pieces of its retail media network. “For the first time, Walmart Connect is selling ads on its revamped in-store radio network and integrating sampling programs with online offerings. While aspects of Walmart Connect’s […]
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  1. Channel: Grocery
  2. Trends & External Forces
  3. Stores & Formats

H-E-B expands its discount format

Several years after opening its last Joe V’s location, H-E-B is reigniting the banner with two locations set to open in Dallas by 2025. Dive Brief: H-E-B announced Tuesday it is opening two Joe V’s Smart Shop by H-E-B stores in Dallas, marking the first time the grocer’s discount format will appear outside of the Houston area. […]
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  1. Retailer Media
  2. ESG
  3. Media & Marketing
  4. Retailer Media
  5. Shopper & Customer
  6. Operations & Supply Chain

Giant Eagle launches in-house retail media network Leap

The platform leverages the chain’s loyalty program, bringing personalized ads to shoppers in-store, in-app, on social media and elsewhere, said Damian Scott, who heads up the grocer’s retail media and front-end digital operations. Dive Brief: Giant Eagle announced on Wednesday the debut of Leap Media Group, an in-house retail media arm that leverages the regional […]
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