Timely and concise analysis at the intersection of technology, retail, and policy. I’ve organized the relevant posts by category.
Consumer Products
Insight into the tactics and strategies consumer products companies use to navigate the ever changing world.
- Beyond Meat News: big partnerships, but is it sustainable?In Beyond Meat news, the company announced deals with McDonald’s and Yum Brands! History shows this could transform the company–if people want what it sells.
- Is the Nestlé e-commerce strategy the future of CPG?The Nestlé e-commerce strategy is centered around premium products and customization enabled by smart M&A. It might just be the future of CPG.
- Kraft Heinz: Earnings boost and a smart sale of PlantersKraft Heinz earnings exceeded expectations. Here’s why the company is on an upswing and why the Planters sale makes strategic sense.
- Clorox earnings call reveals a targeted approach to international growthIn the Q2 2021 Clorox earnings call Management talked about using e-commerce for smart international expansion—a far cry from the CPG industry’s past approach.
- Kimberly-Clark looks to revenue growth management to combat commodity costs2021 is projected to feature a high level of commodity inflation. Learn how Kimberly Clark plans to use revenue growth management to drive profitability.
- Proctor and Gamble looks for a Trade ResetProctor and Gamble saw another successful quarter fueled primarily by COVID-19 related buying patterns and is looking to re-orientate its trade and marketing strategy.
- Conagra Brands invested in innovation and it’s working. Will it last?Conagra Brands had a successful Q2 2021 driven largely by their innovation efforts. Will the success last? A Porter’s model reveals it may be short-lived.
- Constellation Brands looks to e-commerce and DTCThe Q3 2021 earnings call gave insight into how Constellation Brands is building out an e-commerce juggernaut and revealed a monopoly hidden in plain sight.
- LaCroix was a category leader and then National Beverage changed the sales strategyNational Beverage used smart marketing to create a sparkling beverage revolution with LaCroix. Then the company decided to play hardball with retailers.
- Proctor and Gamble 2021 Q1 Earnings Call – E-commerce and the battle for shavingThe Q1 2021 earnings call for Proctor and Gamble gave insight into how the leading household goods company views e-commerce and the coronavirus.
- How King Arthur turned flour from a commodity CPG to a branded CPGHow one small company built a leading brand in the a commoditization market.
- The business impact of COVID-19 on 4 major CPG companiesThe business impacts of COVID-19 are far and wide. Here is how four major CPG firms have adjusted their strategy and operations and manage the crisis.
- Brand Licensing – Incremental or transformational growth?A holy grail of consumer goods companies is brand licensing revenue. Kraft-Heinz recently announced it was entering the fray. Success isn’t always easy as it may seem.
- Unilever, an Agile Supply Chain, and the decline of Scenario PlanningUnilever CEO Alan Jope outlined a vision for an agile supply chain–one that replaces centralized scenario planning with on-the-ground insights. Here’s what that means.
- General Mills: From foodservice to retail, the impact of coronavirusHow General Mills mitigated the impact of COVID-19 by transitioning away from foodservice.
- The Campbell Soup Company — Processed food growth in a fresh worldSales are up at Campbell Soup, but the fresh dilemma remains.
- Kraft Heinz Is Dying a Death by a Thousand Cost CutsHow the private equity model drove one of the world’s largest food and beverage companies into a corner.
- When negative externalities threaten Dart Container, it threatens backDart Container’s core product is potentially damaging to the world. Management’s response? Fight.
- Reading the tea leaves; Unilever looks to move LiptonUnilever, the world’s largest tea producer, is looking to get out of the tea business.
- Revenue Growth Management: Coca-Cola profit rises investment pays offCoca-Cola credited Revenue Growth Management with major growth. Learn what RGM is and how it is used.
- Why did Dean Foods go Bankrupt? A Porter Model Analysis reveals the truth.Dean Foods went from an industry leader to bankrupt in a few years. A Porter Analysis reveals that industry structure had a much larger impact than previously imagined.
- P&G to buy Billie. It may work, but not for the reason you thinkP&G acquired Billie. Initial analysis framed it in terms of a direct-to-consumer play, but a closer analysis reveals a more traditional brand acquisition.
- CPG Innovation: Why New Benefits Aren’t Going to Save GumHow to manage a dying category.
Retail
Insight into the tactics and strategies retailers use to navigate the ever-changing world. A special eye towards competition policy and the goliath in the room–Amazon.
- Dollar General looks to move up the wheel of retail with Popshelf.Learn about the wheel of retail theory and how Dollar General is attempting to move up it with popshelf.
- What is Walmart looking to acquire with TikTok?A TikTok acquisition would mean spending $30 billion on an app, with a business model that Walmart has no core competencies in.
- Walmart proves that omnichannel can compete with Amazon after COVID-19, but can others?Walmart’s deep pockets and omnichannel investments have the company well positioned in a post COVID-19 world. What does it mean for the rest of retail?
- Retailer Shelf Space: Another potential loss for CPG ManufacturersRetailers are using technology to replace Category Captains.
- Counterfeit products on Amazon is harming CPG innovationCounterfeit products on Amazon is one of the most significant issues facing brands today.
- Consumer Packaged Goods and Quality Issues on AmazonQuality control is becoming an increasing problem for Consumer Goods manufacturers selling on Amazon.