Circana Growth Insights

A Recipe to Reignite Meat Alternatives

After a tremendous trial in 2020, sales of plant-based meat alternatives are slowing. Knowing who meat alternative consumers are (hint: they are more likely to buy meat as well), gaps in the market and opportunities to inform the shopper better, this subcategory can relight the fire. Featured guests are Jonna Parker, Principal of IRI’s Fresh Center of Excellence, and Anne-Marie Roerink, president of 210 Analytics.

C-Suite Conversations: Candy Brings Joy. Always.

There’s a lot of complexity in the simple joy of Hershey’s candy. Kristen Riggs, senior vice president and chief growth officer at The Hershey Co., talks with KK Davey, IRI’s president of Strategic Analytics, and Kathryn Bennett, principal IRI team lead for Hershey, about the confection giant’s approach to driving category growth, reframing innovation, understanding the changing behaviors of consumers, partnering with retailers in an omnichannel environment and the insights layered data provide.

Fresh Opportunities for Sustainability-Minded Shoppers

Shoppers who are willing to pay more for sustainability attributes make up roughly 19% of shoppers but a healthy 27% of fresh food spending. IRI’s new podcast shares insights on why investing in sustainability and transparency is a winning strategy for fresh and highlights the product attributes that are most important to sustainability-minded shoppers.  
 
Sally Lyons Wyatt, IRI's EVP and Practice Leader, Client Insights, and Jonna Parker, principal of IRI's Fresh Center of Excellence, talk about the sustainability claims that are now table stakes for reaching these shoppers. They also share approaches for providing personalized fresh offerings that engage these consumers, as well as insights on how better communication on sustainability initiatives can create a halo effect that entices other sustainability-curious consumers.  

Confections: Navigating the Omnichannel World

Like many industries in consumer packaged goods, confections had to pivot as the pandemic raged through the U.S. and around the world. Creativity and agility lead to success across many categories, confections included. Join IRI’s Vice President of Confections, Dan Sadler, and Larry Levin, Executive Vice President, Market and Shopper Intelligence, as they discuss how confections manufacturers and retailers created an omnichannel experience sparked by leveraging the power of e-commerce to drive everyday and holiday confection sales.

Celebrating the Successes of New Product Pacesetters

New Product Pacesetters is one of IRI's most anticipated annual reports. In this episode, IRI's Larry Levin, EVP of Market and Shopper Intelligence, and Joan Driggs, VP, Thought Leadership and Content, talk about the impact of the pandemic on new product launches and future innovation. How can some of the backstories of top Pacesetters influence your next product launch? Download the IRI 2020 New Product Pacesetters report and the list of Top 200 IRI New Product Pacesetters.

C-Suite Conversations: Michelle Hulst, COO, The Trade Desk

IRI’s Growth Insights’ C-Suite Conversations feature notable leaders talking about the future of CPG, retail and media. This exclusive interview with Michelle Hulst, chief operating officer of The Trade Desk, provides valuable perspectives on the changing media market and its implications for consumers, advertisers and publishers.

Jennifer Pelino, EVP of Omnichannel for IRI’s Media Center of Excellence, spoke with Hulst about her current work and her insights from more than 20 years of leadership in advertising and data management. Topics discussed include the speed of market evolution, building relationships using data-driven advertising, the ever-changing economic and pandemic behaviors challenging marketers, and the new opportunities presented by connected television, retail media platforms and more.

Gen Z Ups the Ante to Win Their Brand Loyalty

Based on research recently published in IRI’s Understand Me, Don't Define Me report, Lynne Gillis, principal of IRI’s Survey & Segmentation Practice, shares insights into what matters to Gen Z and how they connect with brands, their product discovery process and approach to shopping. Brands and marketers will learn what matters to this influential generation, especially as they begin to flex their economic muscle.

Cannabis: The Route to Success

The U.S. cannabis business is roughly $25 billion, but with more states legalizing recreational marijuana and the evolution of CBD and other cannabinoids attracting more buyers, BDSA predicts the market will reach $40 billion by 2025. Join IRI’s Larry Levin, EVP of Market and Shopper Intelligence, Jessica Lukas, Senior Vice President of BDSA, and Aaron Morris, President and CEO of Wyld, as they discuss the next frontier of growth in the CPG industry and how Wyld, a leader in dispensary cannabis, found success launching several new products in mainstream CPG.

Get to Know Gen Z

Spanning ages from 6 to 24, Gen Zs will be shaped by events, including a global pandemic and social unrest. The young adults in this population are already asserting their perspectives on inclusivity, sustainability, the workplace and their interaction with brands, among other vital topics. Jennifer Pelino, IRI's executive vice president of Omnichannel Media, and Shelley Zalis, CEO of The Female Quotient, discuss the research behind the recently published "Understand Me, Don't Define Me" report, and introduce listeners to Gen Z's views and spheres of influence.

C-Suite Conversations: Navigating from the Intersection of CPG and Tech

IRI's Growth Insights' C-Suite Conversations feature industry leaders who share their boots-on-the-ground experiences and best practices to ensure our industry thrives. This episode features Kirk Perry, IRI's new president and CEO.

Perry talks to IRI's John McIndoe, chief marketing officer, about navigating IRI at the intersection of CPG and technology. Perry also shares his perspective on the importance of an authentic and inclusive leadership style and the power of leveraging data to find the sweet spot between fundamentals and innovation.