Shelf Life: Expert Voices from the Consumer Goods Industry

In this episode, we dive deep into the complexities of data management within the consumer goods industry, focusing on how brands can achieve a comprehensive view of their business by connecting data across a multitude of retail, e-commerce, and supply chain partners. Hosted by Abby Carruthers, Product Manager at Alloy.ai, the discussion features insights from Manfred Reiche, a subject matter expert in CPG data, and Matthew Nyhus, engineering team lead at Alloy.ai. Together, they break down challenges and solutions related to data normalization—a crucial process for standardizing data from various sources to ensure consistency and comparability. From understanding product and location data normalization to tackling the intricacies of time and metric alignment, this episode explores how brands can transform their disparate data into actionable insights that drive sales growth and operational efficiency.In this episode, you'll learn about: Data normalization is critical for consumer brands to standardize data from various sources, such as retailers, e-commerce platforms, and supply chain partners, into a common languageIntegrating and managing data from multiple sources involves significant technical and operational challenges, specialized systems can automatically manage these hurdlesDon't shy away from the complexities of data normalization - seeking help and leveraging the expertise of others can save significant time and resources while ensuring accurate and actionable insightsJump into the conversation: (00:00) Introduction to Manfred and Matthew(06:05) Using multiple retailers, integrate data sources for consumer insights(09:55) Technology, people, and processes in master data management for product distribution(14:47) Matching products from different sources for rich information visibility(19:21) Consistency in managing changing product data(21:59) Supply chain management with flexible, tailored database design (25:24) How automation can reduce workload by 95% for all your teams(29:45) Knowing servicing locations and translating insights for internal teams(31:38) Distinguishing between brick-and-mortar and e-commerce sales (34:17) Understanding net sales across channels, including returns and tax(40:13) Backend stores metric values(44:02) Retail data analysis pitfalls(47:17) Being cautious with IT assumptions

Consumers are behaving weirdly. Retailers are responding.In this special bonus episode, our hosts, Joel Beal and Logan Ensign, dive deep into the latest earnings reports and economic trends. Joel, a recovering economist, brings his expertise to decode the complex relationship between consumer spending, inflation, and market reactions. Discover why higher-income consumers are still splurging, the hidden dynamics of retail pricing and shrinkflation, and which retail sectors are poised to thrive. If you're keen to understand the economic forces shaping the retail landscape, this episode is a must-listen. Join us for an enlightening conversation that sheds light on what to expect in the second half of the year.In this episode, you'll learn about: Understanding consumer spending patterns and market reactions can help you navigate these uncertain times and spot opportunities ahead of the curveExpect negotiations with suppliers to become tougher, with many retailers pushing for lower pricesDon't underestimate the power of private-label products - they offer a way to provide cost-effective consumer options while maintaining control over pricingJump into the conversation: 00:00 People are waiting for economic downturn after a long period of prosperity05:49 Economic data affects markets, rate cuts expected09:06 Inflation flat, retailers cutting prices for consumers12:33 Shifts in consumer shopping patterns13:58 Why and how some brands are now targeting higher-income buyers

What if all companies worked toward creating a transparent, efficient, and ethical supply chain landscape?In this episode, we welcome Peter Smith, a seasoned executive with a rich background working for major companies such as Carters, Party City, and VF Corporation. Joined by our hosts Logan Ensign and Joel Beal, we're diving deep into the evolving landscape of consumer brands and the retail market.Peter shares his insights on how brands can better collaborate with retailer partners,  on the declining dominance of large monolithic brands, the rise of lesser-known brands, and the significance of data transparency and collaboration across various departments and external partnerships. We'll explore the challenges that new brands face as they strive to sustain initial success and navigate a rapidly changing market, and discuss the transformation in data availability and its crucial role in supply chain management.In this episode, you'll learn about: How  data transparency can improve collaboration across sales, marketing, and supply chain departmentThe different strategies your business can adopt to sustain success in rapidly changing marketsPractical applications of AI that have a profound impact on supply chain operationsJump into the conversation: 00:00 Critical data areas: inventory and supply chain09:39 Data-driven market analysis improves product performance13:04 Supplier challenges in negotiating discounts transparently18:47 Increased data communication and transparency between organizations23:13 High-quality global manufacturing accessibility for startup brands29:58 Advocating for data transparency within organizations35:58 Leveraging machine learning for supply chain insights39:05 Machine learning replicates human intuition for guessing

What comes to mind when you hear the words ‘sales data'? Alloy.ai's resident expert on all things related to retail data, Manfred Reiche, says there's a whole realm of information you're likely missing out on when it comes to the sales data bucket. In this episode, we delve into the intricacies of point-of-sale data and its transformative impact on the consumer goods industry. Listen in as we explore the critical role of data analysis in uncovering regional problems, managing inventory, and enhancing decision-making across various company sizes. From the importance of granularity in data to the necessity of breaking down silos within organizations, this discussion promises to shed light on how businesses can leverage vast data sets to drive success. Three Key Takeaways: Accumulating data isn't enough, the key is to convert it into insights that drive action and that's where granularity and AI play pivotal rolesEncourage cooperation between different business units - breaking down silos can lead to more synchronized decision-making and better use of POS dataTransition from traditional methods to using real-time POS data for forecasting to better predict market behaviors and enhance supply chain decisions

AI in supply chains isn't just about crunching data—it's about creating bridges between complex info and everyday decision-making.In this episode, Lasse Holmstedt, VP of Engineering at Alloy.ai, joins us to discuss the dynamic role of generative AI and large language models within the consumer goods sector. Throughout the conversation, we delve not only into the innovative application of AI technologies that encompass forecasting and data harmonization but also highlight the critical importance of maintaining clean and accurate data for AI effectiveness. Listen in for a deeper understanding of the potential and pitfalls of using pre-trained AI models. Along the way we'll also explore strategies to safeguard sensitive business data and discover how AI can transform sales and demand planning processes. Three Key Takeaways: Explore leveraging textual and qualitative data in addition to numerical approaches to enhance decision-making processes while mitigating riskConsider applications of AI for enhanced visibility and predictive capabilities in inventory management, forecasting, and cross-platform product matching for more efficient operationsEstablish a clear data governance framework to ensure that data fed into AI systems is accurate, up-to-date, and free from errors, laying a solid foundation for reliable AI outputs

In this episode, we're joined by Zach Horton, Senior Director of Logistics and Supply & Demand Planning at Ember Technologies, Inc. From handling Ember's exponential growth to integrating cutting-edge technology into the heart of their supply chain, Zach shares invaluable insights on the role of AI, the essence of culture, and the art of innovative product development. Tune in to learn not just how to plan for the future but to shape it with wisdom, agility, and the invaluable FIO (figure it out) mindset. Because in today's fast-paced world, it's not just about the product—it's about the people you serve and the team that drives you. Stay ahead of the curve with us, right here, on the Shelf Life Podcast.Three Key Takeaways: The implementation of a robust sales and operations planning process is pivotal for successful startup growth, promoting transparency and accountabilityAI holds the promise to revolutionize planning and analysis, offering a glimpse into future consumer products industry advancementsF.I.O - Figure It Out: champion a proactive work culture and encourage your team to embrace challenges with an innovative spirit

Easter 2024 hopped in early this year, and as a result sales expectations were muted. The Alloy.ai team, Joel and Logan, discuss the commercial and consumer-behavior dynamics at play during holidays like easter, and what they mean for consumer brands. In this episode we discuss:How narrow buying windows impact consumer brands replenishment effortsThe tough decision of whether to produce holiday-specific SKUsWhat Easter sales might say about the broader economy.

Unlock the secrets landing and growing coveted shelf space at Walmart. Bill Sinacore, VP of National Accounts at PlayMonster joins Shelf Life to share advice gleaned over his 30+ year career at industrys giants like LEGO and LeapFrog.In this episode you'll learn:What Walmart buyers really care aboutTactics to get your product on the shelf and to show your buyers with data that Walmart customers will be interested in your productThe key metrics that matter todayUsing Amazon as a proving ground to test your product before bringing it to WalmartThe twists and turns of product innovation in the toy industryJoin us as Bill shares guidance on everything from product development, optimal pricing, and retail relationships, with a specific emphasis on Walmart.

We sat down with Matt Bergum, the Country Business Director for Canada at Bosch Power Tools, to dive into the state of ecommerce in 2024. We shed light on the distinctions between ecommerce and brick-and-mortar product launches, the balancing act that comes with a hybrid retail approach, the complex task of managing expansive product portfolios across various online platforms (and the resulting strain on margins), and the transformation of the power tools industry in the face of e-commerce. Expect to gain an insider's look into how Bosch is aiming to grow market share in an increasingly digital market.

This week's special bonus episode dives into the  into Black Friday, consumer spending, and the state of the economy. Our guest, Joel Beal, CEO of Alloy.ai and economist, provides a unique perspective on the early numbers and what they mean for the larger economy. We delve into:The preliminary numbers that are emerging post-Black Friday, attempting to decode consumer behavior and market trendsThe possibility of deflationHow sales are breaking down in terms of in-store vs. ecommerceTune in to this episode of Shelf Life, and get a comprehensive understanding of current economic trends, their impact on consumer spending, and their potential implications for the future.

In this episode we get in-depth on the topic of data-driven decision making with Eric Richardson, Manager of Forecasting and Data Analytics at leading board game company USAopoly. As a data expert, Eric shares how consumer brands can harness data without extensive resources, how to bring and present data to retail buyers to influence replenishment and how to recognize and utilize sudden surges in consumer demand. This episode explores:Specific ways to use and present sales, supply chain and forecasting data in conversations with retail buyersHow to spot consumer trends in the data and respond quicklyWays AI might change the supply chain spaceHow USAOpoly and the board game industry is thinking about manufacturing in China vs. domesticallyThroughout our conversation, Eric emphasizes, not just the importance of data, but also the art of presenting it in a way that is easily understandable to all stakeholders — both inside and outside of the company.You won't want to miss Eric's advice and perspective on using in data analytics in the consumer goods industry.

We sit down with world-renowned supply chain guru, Professor David Simchi-Levi. This MIT professor and head of the MIT Data Science Lab, shares his insights on supply chain digitization and delivering on the promise of increased forecast accuracy while reducing risks. It's a transformative discussion on how you, with a moderate financial investment, can swiftly digitize your supply chain while reaping the rewards. Our discussion touches on:How a unified view of demand and segmentation can allow you to craft bespoke supply chain strategies for different products, channels, and markets. The fusion of analytics, data, and algorithms with intuition, experience, and domain knowledge. The pioneering work done by the MIT Data Science Lab on supply chain resiliency and how giants like Ford Motor Company leveraged this technology. We're not just talking theories. We dive straight into how supply chain management can be optimized using smart S&OP and smart execution. Learn We share real-life examples of how a consumer-packaged goods manufacturing company used data sources to predict retail orders, making concepts easy to grasp and apply in your own businesses.In this discussion we reference:Harvard Business Review article by David Simchi-Levi, A Simpler Way to Modernize Your Supply ChainThe MIT Data Science Lab

Peek behind the curtain of one of the beauty industry's most successful companies. Vitaly Simonian, the Vice President of Finance at Dr Dennis Gross Skincare, takes us on a journey through a business that's quadrupled in size and expanded into 16 markets. We talk about :Navigating shifting consumer trendsThe role education plays in marketing How to effectively venture into fresh business verticals in an uncertain economic climateWe get down to the nuts and bolts of successful retail partnerships, tackling the company's collaboration with the beauty giant, Sephora. Vitaly opens up about the trials and tribulations of breaking into the device market, shedding light on the supply chain challenges they faced, and triumphantly overcame. The episode offers a treasure trove of insights and strategies that have propelled Dr Dennis Gross Skincare to the top of their industry.

How has the consumer goods industry changed over the last 30 years? Why are we dealing struggling with the same obstacles that have challenged us for decades. In the first episode of Shelf Life, our guest, John Buckley, Consumer Products Industry Advisor at SAP, uses his deep expertise and consumer products experience to answer some of these questions. From Maytag and Kraft-Heinz to Tyson, John's rich experience sheds light on some of the biggest issues facing consumer brands today:How do you plan for supply chain disruptions?How can you make sure your products are on the shelf when and where the consumer wants to buy them?Who really "owns" the consumer — the brand or the retailer?How is ecommerce transforming retail?On every episode of Shelf Life we tackle the most pressing retail, ecommerce, sales and supply chain questions of our time with the help of experienced leaders across the consumer goods industry. Visit us at Alloy.ai/podcast to learn more.