Circana Growth Insights

CPG Demand, Supply and Inflation Outlook

Wavering demand, insufficient supply and rising inflation negatively impact the CPG industry and consumers. KK Davey, president of client engagement at IRI, shares insights into what’s ahead in 2022, including CPG volume declines and on-premise recovery, additional price increases, the return of promotions, the opportunity for private label and much more.

Private Brand Landscape

IRI’s private brand expert, MaryEllen Lynch, Principal, Center Store Solutions, shares findings and insights from IRI research into private brands. Find out who is most likely to shop for private brands, how retailers can both leverage existing loyalty to store brands and promote offerings to new shoppers, as well as an outlook for private brands in an inflationary market.

C-Suite Conversations: Directing Digital Transformation

IRI’s special C-Suite Conversations series features notable leaders talking about the future of consumer packaged goods and retail. This episode features Chris Rupp, executive vice president and chief customer and digital officer of grocery giant Albertsons Companies, Inc. Spanning 34 states and the District of Columbia, Albertsons operates stores under more than 20 retail banners. 

This conversation touches on many topics, including Rupp’s quick and deep dive into Albertsons’ e-commerce digital transformation. She brought with her more than 30 years of experience and delivered monumental work, including new product functions and supportive infrastructure to deliver exemplary customer experiences, streamlining operations behind the scenes and in front of customers to shift from 22-hour to two-hour delivery windows, and introducing new processes that lean on existing technology while working on the fly to adjust and deliver on consumers’ rapidly changing e-commerce needs and expectations. The discussion also addresses the hurdles present in a large-scale digital transformation, the need to master negotiation and other attributes, and advice for people setting their course for a career in this space.

January 2022’s Fresh Pulse

Growth in 2022 will be driven by long-term trends of convenience, exploration and health, but look for more flexibility as shoppers adjust to the challenges of supply and inflation. In this new monthly outlook of fresh categories, Jonna Parker, Principal of IRI’s Fresh Center of Excellence, is joined by Anne-Marie Roerink, President of 210 Analytics. 

C-Store: A Story of Resiliency to Drive CPG

The U.S. convenience channel has rebounded from the 2020 lockdown, recently delivering 7% dollar growth compared to less than 2% growth for total CPG retail. Kurian Thomas, COO of IRI’s Retail Practice, talks about the channel’s resurgence, unique innovations fueling growth and other opportunities to adapt amidst a pandemic.

Supporting SNAP Shoppers

Toss out your misconceptions that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants are all low-income and only looking for the lowest price. Sally Lyons Wyatt, IRI’s EVP, Center-of-Store and Produce Vertical, reveals critical insight – including the value to retailers and brands – of SNAP shoppers. Learn how retailers and brands can innovate with education, shopper engagement and meal-occasion bundling.

C-Suite Conversations: The Business of Joy

IRI’s Growth Insights C-Suite Conversations feature notable leaders talking about the future of CPG, retail and media. This installment welcomes Rachel Ferdinando, senior vice president and chief marketing officer of Frito-Lay North America, the snack subsidiary of PepsiCo.

Ferdinando speaks with Krishnakumar (KK) Davey, IRI president of client engagement, and Sheila McCusker, IRI executive vice president and team lead for PepsiCo. The conversation spans many topics, including how the PepsiCo mission of bringing joy with every sip and bite informs everything Frito-Lay does. She also discusses Frito-Lay’s rapid response to shifting consumer and shopper trends during the pandemic and how it stays ahead of emerging trends to deliver highly successful innovation. The interview delves into the insights that sparked the company’s recent award-winning “Can’t Touch This” campaign, as well as the growing role that data-driven insights and technologies are playing in helping Frito-Lay meet fast-changing consumer demands. Ferdinando concludes by providing advice to potential future CMOs. 

Highlighting Home Care

While not as dramatic as at the outbreak of the pandemic, sales of home cleaning products remain elevated from 2019 levels, thanks to new cleaning regimens and increased at-home activity. Kathy Kemmet, Client Insights Executive for IRI’s Home Practice, shares key insights and opportunities for home care moving forward, including a focus on self-care, sustainability and convenience.

Fresh Perspectives with Jonna and Sally: Setting the Holiday Table

Holiday gatherings will be bigger in 2021, and IRI’s fresh experts Jonna Parker and Sally Lyons Wyatt predict many people will attend multiple holiday meals. New approaches to holiday meals often include serving multiple types of meats, cooking to support dietary needs, layering in convenience items and meals beyond the big event. Listen and learn about opportunities for supporting shoppers this holiday season.

Sustainable Products Continue to Drive Sustainable Growth

Randi Kronthal-Sacco, senior scholar at New York University’s Stern Center for Sustainable Business, continues to evaluate the impact of sustainably marketed products on the consumer packaged goods industry. In this episode of IRI’s Growth Insights, Randi shares her views on what is driving the out-sized growth of sustainable products. Importantly, she shares her perspective on the future of sustainability and the impact carbon footprint and regenerative farming will have on the next wave of sustainability in the U.S. and globally.