Kantar Retail Sound Bites

Latest Episodes:

Episode 80: AI agents in retail media with Kiri Masters Mar 05, 2025

Show notes

It's time to break through the complexities surrounding AI and its implementation across retail. Kiri Master, retail media and expert and host of Retail Media Breakfast Club, joins Kantar's Barry Thomas, senior retail thought leader, and Rachel Dalton, head of retail insights, on episode 80 of Kantar's Retail Sound Bites the powerfully transformative AI agents that have the potential to change the game in retail media.

This episode also features Julie Craig, Kantar's vice president of shopper insights, who dives into the issues most pressing to shoppers.

Have a topic you'd like us to cover? Contact us at Kantar's Retail Sound Bites Podcast.

Contact Barry: Email | LinkedIn

Contact Rachel: Email | LinkedIn

Episode 79: Undercovering Kantar's PoweRanking with Rohan Mazumdar and Jeff Maloy Feb 14, 2025

Show notes

Kantar's annual industry benchmarking report PoweRanking® identifies retailers and suppliers that set the standard of performance, ranked by their trading partners. Download your complimentary executive summary to discover this year's rankings. Rohan Mazumdar, vice president of retail consulting at Kantar, and Jeff Maloy, senior vice president of consulting at Kantar, join Barry Thomas, senior retail thought leader, and Rachel Dalton, head of retail insights, on episode 78 of Kantar's Retail Sound Bites to discuss intensified retailer concerns about shoppers' reluctance to spend more on consumer goods.

Discover more findings in Kantar's PoweRanking® 2024

This episode also features Doug Hermanson, Kantar's principal economist, who dives into the macroeconomic state of retail, post-tariff implications in the US, and more.

Have a topic you'd like us to cover? Contact us at Kantar's Retail Sound Bites Podcast.

Contact Barry: Email | LinkedIn

Contact Rachel: Email | LinkedIn

Episode 78: Growth-centered category management with Stephen Aramburu of Nestlé Feb 05, 2025

Show notes

Storytelling is crucial in category strategy, creating narratives that resonate with consumers, retailers, and internal teams, aiming for a triple win. Stephen Aramburu, category strategy manager, frozen meals, Nestlé, joins Kantar's Barry Thomas, senior retail thought leader, and Rachel Dalton, head of retail insights, on episode 78 of Kantar's Retail Sound Bites to discuss identifying growth opportunities in category management, and product innovation in the face of trends like GLP-1.

Have a topic you'd like us to cover? Contact us at Kantar's Retail Sound Bites Podcast.

Contact Barry: Email | LinkedIn

Contact Rachel: Email | LinkedIn

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/01/27/nvidia-calls-chinas-deepseek-r1-model-an-excellent-ai-advancement.html

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/27/technology/what-is-deepseek-china-ai.html

https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/company-news/jason-buechel-whole-foods-market-worldwide-grocery-store

https://www.retaildive.com/news/dollar-general-expanding-private-label-clover-valley/738339/

Here's why Dutch Bros outperformed Starbucks last year

Walmart will now let suppliers test products in its customers' homes

Danone's yogurt sales surge among US consumers using GLP-1 drugs | Food Dive

Episode 77: The future of the digital shelf with Coca-Cola's Lindsey Aitken Jan 27, 2025

Show notes

With competition for the digital shelf at an all-time high, how can you make your products stand out, look attractive, and drive conversions? Lindsey Aitken, senior director of ecommerce planning at Coca-Cola, joins Kantar's Barry Thomas, senior retail thought leader, and Rachel Dalton, head of retail insights, on episode 77 of Kantar's Retail Sound Bites to discuss the future of the digital shelf.

Have a topic you'd like us to cover? Contact us at Kantar's Retail Sound Bites Podcast.

Contact Barry: Email | LinkedIn

Contact Rachel: Email | LinkedIn

https://www.wsj.com/business/retail/food-fight-with-kroger-spells-trouble-for-albertsons-279eb4b8?mod=retail_news_article_pos5

https://www.cnbc.com/2024/12/05/dollar-general-tests-same-day-delivery-as-discounter-chases-walmart.html

https://chainstoreage.com/2025-look-ahead-year-retail-tech

RFK Jr.'s regulatory earthquake: Five impacts on FMCGs

https://www.numerator.com/resources/blog/walgreens-store-closures-hit-home/

Taco Bell is testing a beverage concept called Live Más Café

Episode 76: AWS ascends in retail with Justin Honaman Dec 19, 2024

Show notes

Amazon's ecosystem is robust and diverse, with growth accelerating across retail, fulfilment, entertainment, and services. As Andy Jassy puts it, "progress is made across all facets of Amazon, perhaps none more so than the continued reacceleration in AWS growth." Justin Honaman, head of retail and consumer goods industry strategy and business development team at Amazon Web Services, joins Kantar's Barry Thomas, senior retail thought leader, and Rachel Dalton, head of retail insights, on episode 76 of Kantar's Retail Sound Bites to discuss AWS's rapid rise to fame across retail and CPG organizations.

Have a topic you'd like us to cover? Contact us at Kantar's Retail Sound Bites Podcast.

Contact Barry: Email | LinkedIn

Contact Rachel: Email | LinkedIn

Taco Bell is testing a beverage concept called Live Más Café

https://www.numerator.com/resources/blog/walgreens-store-closures-hit-home/

RFK Jr.'s regulatory earthquake: Five impacts on FMCGs

https://chainstoreage.com/2025-look-ahead-year-retail-tech

https://www.cnbc.com/2024/12/05/dollar-general-tests-same-day-delivery-as-discounter-chases-walmart.html

https://www.wsj.com/business/retail/food-fight-with-kroger-spells-trouble-for-albertsons-279eb4b8?mod=retail_news_article_pos5

Episode 75: Private label applies pressure with Tom Bailey of Rabobank Dec 04, 2024

Show notes

In the heat of economic pressures, market dynamics, and retailer shifts, shopper sentiment has triggered the expansion of private labels in the US. Tom Bailey, senior analyst of consumer foods at Rabobank, joins Barry Thomas, senior retail thought leader, and Rachel Dalton, head of retail insights, on episode 75 of Kantar's Retail Sound Bites to discuss private labels uprising in US grocery stores.

This episode also features Doug Hermanson, Kantar's principal economist, who dives into the macroeconomic state of retail and post-election predictions.

Have a topic you'd like us to cover? Contact us at Kantar's Retail Sound Bites Podcast.

Contact Barry: Email | LinkedIn

Contact Rachel: Email | LinkedIn

https://www.rabobank.com/knowledge/q011443795-with-wind-in-its-sails-us-private-label-charts-its-path-to-growth

https://www.foodnavigator-usa.com/Article/2024/12/02/ecommerce-value-channels-drive-up-cpg-volumes/

https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/financing/it-was-ugly-quarter-fast-food-business

https://www.ndtvprofit.com/business/zepto-to-blinkit-impulse-buying-drives-quick-commerce-boom-as-kirana-stores-struggle-report

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2024/12/03/black-friday-cyber-monday-holiday-shoppers/76590647007/

https://www.retaildive.com/news/dicks-sporting-goods-simone-biles-dak-prescott-texas-holiday-campaign/734163/

https://www.businessinsider.com/tiktok-drove-100-million-in-us-black-friday-sales-livestream-2024-12

Episode 74: More than media - What's on a CMO's mind with Aisha Khan Nov 20, 2024

Show notes

A CMO's world encompasses more than media. Aisha Khan, Executive Director of Global Commerce Acceleration at GroupM, under WPP, joins Barry Thomas, senior retail thought leader, and Rachel Dalton, head of retail insights, on episode 74 of Kantar's Retail Sound Bites to discuss the vast decisions and practices on a CMO's mind when it comes to retail media networks, upskilling, and innovation.

This episode also features Mary Brett Whitfield, Kantar's senior vice president of shopper insights, who dives into a preview of the holiday season.

Have a topic you'd like us to cover? Contact us at Kantar's Retail Sound Bites Podcast.

Contact Barry: Email | LinkedIn

Contact Rachel: Email | LinkedIn

https://massmarketretailers.com/circana-hispanic-consumers-drive-16-of-total-u-s-cpg-growth/

https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/retail/amazon-one-medical-pharmacy-prescriptions-common-conditions

https://kriq.kantarretailiq.com/en/p-iq/insights/blogs/agentic-ai-what-it-means-for-the-enterprise-and-fmcgs?utm_campaign=RetailIQ&utm_source=linkedin&utm_medium=social&utm_content=Agentic_AI

https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/retail/affordable-products-amazon-20-dollars-and-under

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/18/business/ev-chargers-store-parking-lots.html?searchResultPosition=8

https://www.wsj.com/articles/taco-bell-and-kfcs-owner-says-ai-driven-marketing-is-boosting-purchases-ab3a5f36?page=1

Episode 73: Revolutionizing retail media with Lisa Matos Nov 05, 2024

Show notes

In episode 73 of Kantar's Retail Sound Bites, Barry Thomas, senior retail thought leader, and Rachel Dalton, head of retail insights, welcome Lisa Matos, vice president, sales capabilities and commerce at Conagra Brands, to discuss the challenges and opportunities CPGs face while navigating retail media networks.

This episode also features Doug Hermanson, principal economist, who dives into the macroeconomic state of retail.

Have a topic you'd like us to cover? Contact us at Kantar's Retail Sound Bites Podcast.

Barry's contact information: barry.thomas@kantar.com Barry's LinkedIn

Rachel's contact information: rachel.dalton@kantar.com Rachel's LinkedIn

Inside Amazon's AI Cloud Strategy with AWS CEO Matt Garman – WSJ

Kroger begins rollout of RFID tech to fresh departments | Grocery Dive

Better-for-you candy brands go all in on Halloween

https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/financing/7-eleven-open-500-food-focused-stores

https://www.foodnavigator-usa.com/Article/2024/10/16/US-private-label-grocery-market-to-hit-25-30-share?utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=16-Oct-2024&cid=DM1163875&bid=529561310#

Walmart goes live with same-day pharmacy delivery | Chain Store Age

Episode 72: Live at Groceryshop 2024 with Ryan Roberts and our top 10 takeaways Oct 18, 2024

Show notes

In episode 72 of Kantar's Retail Sound Bites, Barry Thomas, senior retail thought leader, and Rachel Dalton, head of retail insights, and Julie Craig, vice president of shopper insights, recap Groceryshop 2024 with Kantar's top 10 insights from the event. Kantar also welcomes Ryan Roberts, executive vice president and chief merchandising officer, Hy-Vee, live at the event to discuss the retailer's strategy, approaching holiday promotions, and more.

Have a topic you'd like us to cover? Contact us at Kantar's Retail Sound Bites Podcast.

Barry's contact information: barry.thomas@kantar.com Barry's LinkedIn

Rachel's contact information: rachel.dalton@kantar.com Rachel's LinkedIn

Episode 71: Building bright emerging brands with Buff Greebe Oct 03, 2024

Show notes

In episode 71 of Kantar's Retail Sound Bites, Barry Thomas, senior retail thought leader, and Rachel Dalton, head of retail insights, welcome Buff Greebe, executive director, SKU, to discuss emerging CPG brands, resources founders need to accelerate the growth of their brands, and much more

This episode also features Doug Hermanson, principal economist, who dives into the macroeconomic state of retail.

Have a topic you'd like us to cover? Contact us at Kantar's Retail Sound Bites Podcast.

Barry's contact information: barry.thomas@kantar.com Barry's LinkedIn

Rachel's contact information: rachel.dalton@kantar.com Rachel's LinkedIn

Harris Teeter launches HT Traders Ready Made Meals line (supermarketnews.com)

Bold Prices. Bold Packaging for PENNY - Interviews (adforum.com)

The autonomous FMCG organization on the horizon (kantarretailiq.com)

https://www.cnbc.com/2024/09/24/this-latin-american-e-commerce-platform-is-beating-amazon-in-2024-.html

https://www.wsj.com/health/healthcare/cvs-board-conducts-strategic-review-of-company-81dc996f?mod=retail_news_article_pos1

https://www.grocerydive.com/news/amazon-fresh-new-stores-grocery-supermarkets/728044/