Circana Unpacked

While private label products were able to gain share during the Great Recession, they have yet to make notable gains against national brands in our current period of high inflation. Mary Ellen Lynch, principal, Center Store Solutions at IRI, discusses some strategies retailers should employ to build the value proposition of their private brand offerings. 

With inflation high, home meals and home entertaining are winning out over foodservice. Retailers are stepping up, showing a greater understanding of consumer needs and helping consumers create interesting at-home experiences. Jonna Parker, Principal of IRI’s Fresh Center of Excellence and Anne-Marie Roerink, President of 210 Analytics, share winning strategies and additional opportunities to win with consumers.

IRI’s Growth Insights C-Suite Conversations feature notable leaders talking about the future of CPG, retail and media. Our newest installment features Tim Cofer, CEO of Central Garden & Pet, a Walnut Creek, Calif.-based leader in the garden and pet industries.  

In this exclusive interview, Cofer speaks with IRI’s KK Davey and Russ Dunham about his company and its growth during a pandemic that fueled a rise in pet adoptions and an increased interest in gardening. He also talks about the company’s approach to growth through mergers and acquisitions, its ongoing e-commerce expansion, how the company is overcoming supply chain challenges, the importance of company culture, and several other topics.

The 2021 GEM® Lift Study, produced in partnership between IRI and the Association of National Advertisers’ SeeHer movement, reveals the positive sales lift when women see themselves accurately and positively portrayed in advertising. Jennifer Pelino, executive vice president of IRI’s Global Media Solutions, and Latha Sarathy, executive vice president of Analytics, Insights & Measurement at ANA/SeeHer, share how doing the right thing in advertising can boost the bottom line. 

Even with high inflation, meat sales remain strong. Still, the industry is taking steps to meet cash-strapped consumers at the meat case. From value cuts and value packs to promoting benefits beyond protein, Jonna Parker, principal of IRI’s Fresh Center of Excellence, John Crowder, head of Beef Marketing at JBS, and Heather DeLuca, VP, Meat & Seafood, AWG, share strategies being employed to deliver in a category Americans indicate they’re committed to.

Inflation is rising and shopper behavior is changing. Jonna Parker, principal of IRI's Fresh Center of Excellence, and Anne-Marie Roerink, president of 210 Analytics, discuss how inflation is showing up in grocery retail and offer some insight into how younger consumers are working to save money. Hint: they aren't turning to paper circulars the way older shoppers do. 

Increasing mobility, product versatility, innovation and a balance of health and indulgence are all reflected in the dairy case. John Crawford, IRI’s vice president of Client Insights, Dairy, provides the current and future state of the dairy case and shares some product innovations worth watching. 

Despite regulatory hurdles, the cannabis market continues to grow, especially in the $45 billion U.S. market. BDSA’s chief commercial officer, Jessica Lukas, shares insights into growth opportunities for CPG manufacturers and retailers and why 2022 is the right time for investing in and developing cannabis-derived products. 

A confluence of inflation, supply challenges, bad weather and the omicron variant drove at-home food sales in January 2022. In this monthly outlook of fresh categories, Jonna Parker, principal of IRI's Fresh Center of Excellence, and Anne-Marie Roerink, president of 210 Analytics, discuss consumer behaviors – including an increase in at-home meals – as well as retailer strategies to retain shoppers during this complicated time.

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.