Mintel Little Conversation

Latest Episodes:

Episode 35: Exploring food and drink during COVID-19: Reinvigorating, retooling, and reintroducing Apr 27, 2020

Show notes

The focus of today's episode is the global food and drink industry - one hit particularly hard by COVID-19. Our experts focus their discussion on three ways food and drink companies and brands are adapting. With certain health conditions making some more susceptible than others to the coronavirus, consumers are looking for ways to boost immunity, presenting opportunities for brands to reinvigorate product innovation strategies. Meanwhile, some brands are shutting down production in order to retool their manufacturing processes to create much-needed masks, hand sanitisers, and medical devices. Finally, the once-neglected centre aisles of the grocery store are now very attractive to consumers, reintroducing them to products with a long shelf life and the ingredients used in home cooking.

Host: Edward Bergen (Global Food and Drink Analyst)

Guests: Marcia Mogelonsky (Director of Insight, Mintel Food and Drink, Americas),

Jodie Minotto (Research Manager, Mintel Food and Drink, Asia Pacific),

Rick Miller (Associate Director, Specialised Nutrition)

Episode 34: Safety v privacy: COVID-19 contact tracing Apr 21, 2020

Show notes

Following the news that Google and Apple are teaming up to develop a COVID-19 contact tracing app, Mintel experts in technology and consumer trends discuss what contact tracing is and what it means for consumers. With data privacy and security breaches top of mind for many, will consumers see value in participating or will they opt out? How will marketing, incentives, education, trust, and social pressure play a role? Listen now to find out what our experts predict for the here and now of contact tracing.

Host: Dana Macke (Associate Director, Mintel Reports US, Lifestyles and Leisure)

Guests: Diana Kelter (Senior Trends Analyst, Americas),

Buddy Lo (Senior Analyst, Technology and Consumer Electronics, US),

Scott Stewart (Senior Analyst, Technology and Media, Canada)

Episode 33: Sensory triggers: The influence the senses have on perception and emotional response Apr 13, 2020

Show notes

In this episode, Mintel experts discuss the power the senses - specifically smell and taste - have on the human experience. As the world becomes more digital, how are food, drink, beauty, and personal care brands adapting their innovation and messaging strategies to engage the senses and elicit emotion? Certain scents or tastes can transport consumers to a different place or time and evoke a strong memory (you're thinking about one right now, aren't you?). This can be a powerful tool for brands to wield - when done correctly. Join us to find out more!

Host: Andrew McDougall (Associate Director, Global Beauty and Personal Care)

Guests: Ayisha Koyenikan (Global Food and Drink Analyst),

Margaux Caron (Global Beauty Analyst)

Episode 32: Confusing or convenient. The international food aisle of the grocery store Apr 06, 2020

Show notes

In today's episode, host Dana Macke and her guests - experts from the food and drink, lifestyle, grocery retail, and multicultural consumer sectors - take a stroll through the grocery store and discuss the reasoning behind the international food aisle. With increasing globalisation and the growing influence of diversity across consumer groups, is there a benefit to categorising all 'ethnic food' into one aisle of the grocery store? And what roles do food and drink manufacturers and brands play in educating consumers about international ingredients and recipes?

Host: Dana Macke (Associate Director, Mintel Reports US, Lifestyles and Leisure)

Guests: Jenny Zegler (Associate Director, Mintel Food & Drink),

Juan Ruiz (Director of Hispanic Insights),

Melanie Zanoza Bartelme (Global Food Analyst),

Carol Wong-Li (Associate Director, Mintel Reports Canada, Lifestyles and Leisure),

Joel Gregoire (Associate Director, Mintel Reports Canada, Food and Drink).

Episode 31: Consumers and COVID-19: What the world can learn from China Mar 30, 2020

Show notes

In today's episode, Mintel analysts discuss changes in consumer behaviour and market shifts in China, the US, and Europe resulting from the global spread of COVID-19, as well as lessons learned from Asia. With safety and wellness quickly rising to the top of consumers' priority lists, what does the future hold for sustainability, new product development, and distribution innovation? Will industries like retail, ecommerce, and digital marketing be forever changed? And how is all of this impacting local business communities? Join us as we discuss the legacy of COVID-19 on consumer markets.

Host: Andrew McDougall (Associate Director, Global Beauty and Personal Care)

Guests: Ruyi Xu (Head of Mintel Reports, North Asia)

Toby Clark (Director of EMEA Research)

Marissa Gilbert (Associate Director, US Reports, Health and Wellness)

Episode 30: Diet mythbusters: A critical look at the nutrition behind popular diets Mar 23, 2020

Show notes

In this episode, we discuss trending diets with specialised nutritionist Rick Miller to glean his insights on the science behind certain food fads, why they are so popular, and whether or not they are a smart nutritional decision for consumers to make. Wondering if keto, intermittent fasting, or gut health supplements are the way to go? Maybe matcha tea or the werewolf diet are better suited? Find out if you're on a path to nutritional health and balance or doomed to fall off the fad diet wagon.

Host: Edward Bergen (Global Food and Drink Analyst)

Guest: Rick Miller (Associate Director, Specialised Nutrition)

Episode 29: The business of insights. What does the future hold? Mar 16, 2020

Show notes

To kick-off season two, we're turning the spotlight on ourselves with a discussion about the business of insights. Joined by experts in data science, data analytics, research methodology, and consumer behaviour, host Andrew Davidson explores the evolution of consumer research (including the role that technology plays), and what the future holds. From the importance of cultivating a curiosity for human behaviour to data visualisation and storytelling, join us to learn about the state of the insights industry.

Host: Andrew Davidson (SVP/Chief Insights Officer)

Guests: Toby Clark (Director of Research, EMEA)

Mark Brechin (Global Director of Consumer Research and Data Analytics)

Ben Korallus (Head of Data Science and Analytics, Mintel Futures)

Sneak peek: What to expect during season two Mar 11, 2020

Show notes

The much-anticipated release of Mintel Little Conversation season two is just around the corner. Interested to discover what consumer quarks we'll investigate next? Anxious to hear our experts' opinions on the staying-power of current trends? Are you dying to know what brands, products, and services are winning, which are losing, and what innovations are set to revolutionise consumerism as we know it? Today, host Sam Dover gives you a sneak peek of some of the topics our experts are diving into this season. Stay tuned for the official launch of season two on 17 March!

Host: Samantha Dover, Senior Beauty and Personal Care Analyst, UK

Episode 28: Season one finale: What’s trending this holiday season? Dec 16, 2019

Show notes

In the final episode of Little Conversation season one, we are unwrapping some of the major trends this holiday season, including nostalgia and veganism. Whether it's through holiday cards, advent calendars, or aided by modern technology, nostalgia offers innovative ways to connect with consumers during the festive holiday season. Growing in popularity in recent years, 'Vegan Christmas' will see more vegan food on the table and vegan gifts under the tree than ever before. Finally, we end the year with a discussion about what's top of mind for our hosts in 2020. Happy holidays, from Mintel Little Conversation!

Host: Edward Bergen (Global Food and Drink Analyst)

Guest: Andrew McDougall (Associate Director, Beauty and Personal Care), Samantha Dover (Senior Retail Analyst, UK),

Dana Macke (Associate Director of Lifestyles and Leisure, US),

Andrew Davidson (SVP/Chief Insights Officer, Comperemedia)

Episode 27: Winning Black Friday: Retail predictions for Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2019 Dec 09, 2019

Show notes

In this episode, three Mintel analysts review their predictions for Black Friday/Cyber Monday and discuss how the holiday shopping event has evolved over the years in the US and UK. Did the promotional period creep from days to weeks? Did some retailers reject hyper consumerism messaging in favour of promoting sustainability initiatives? What role did loyalty and repeat purchase programs play? Find out how their predictions fared and what brands won in the end.

Host: Dana Macke (Associate Director of Lifestyles and Leisure, US)

Guest: Alexis DeSalva (Senior Retail and eCommerce Analyst, US),

Nick Carroll (Associate Director of Retail, UK),

Lierin Ehmke (Senior Digital Marketing Analyst, US)

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