Circana Growth Insights

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. 

C-Suite Conversations: Working Toward Seamless Omnichannel Experiences

IRI President and CEO Kirk Perry welcomes Tanya Domier, CEO of Advantage Solutions, who shares her views on the critical role of frontline workers, the changing CPG landscape, the transformation of sales and marketing firms into technology partners, and the keys to seamless omnichannel experiences. Domier concludes by disclosing her leadership philosophy and how it was honed by recent events.

A Refresh of Baked Goods

In-store bakeries are making a comeback as shoppers increase store visits and extend their shopping list to include more premium and celebratory items. Learn which consumer – and retail – habits will stick and what the holiday season holds for baked goods, both from the center-store bakery aisle and the perimeter in-store bakery department. Guests include experts from IRI’s Fresh Center of Excellence, including Jonna Parker, Principal; Aaron Lavin, Consultant, Client Insights; and Kaitlin Dietrich, Client Insights Analyst.  

C-Suite Conversations: Growing through Innovation, Insights and Acquisition

Transformation is built into the DNA of Church & Dwight, a leader in the household and personal care industry. Special guest Paul Wood, chief customer officer, joins IRI’s KK Davey, president of strategic analytics, and Russ Dunham, executive vice president of IRI’s strategic solutions group, to talk about the lasting impact of the pandemic, innovation, Church & Dwight’s social reach and strategies for continued growth. 

Fresh Scorecard: Summer 2021

Sales of fresh foods, from produce and bakery to deli and meat, remain elevated from pre-pandemic levels. A solid sign the increase in home-prepared meals will stick. However, to meet consumer needs, greater attention needs to be paid to convenience and solutions across the store. Join Jonna Parker, Principal of IRI’s Fresh Center of Excellence, and special guest Anne-Marie Roerink, President of 210 Analytics, for strategies that address today’s market.