Podcasts about Consumer

Today, I'm joined by Jess Haghani, founder & CEO of Lucille. Lucille is reimagining senior nutrition with high-quality ingredients, thoughtful design, and branding that celebrates aging with dignity. In this episode, we discuss creating next-gen senior nutrition products. We also cover: Challenging age-related stereotypes Marketing to older adults and their caregivers Why senior nutrition products have lacked innovation Subscribe to the podcast → insider.fitt.co/podcast  Subscribe to our newsletter → insider.fitt.co/subscribe  Follow us on LinkedIn → linkedin.com/company/fittinsider    Lucille's Website: www.lucillehealth.com  Lucille on Amazon: http://bit.ly/4g76Xgo  Lucille on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lucillehealth/#    -   The Fitt Insider Podcast is brought to you by EGYM. Visit EGYM.com to learn more about its smart fitness ecosystem for fitness and health facilities.   Fitt Talent: https://talent.fitt.co/  Consulting: https://consulting.fitt.co/  Investments: https://capital.fitt.co/    Chapters: (00:00) Introduction (01:25) Company background (02:25) Personal story (05:00) Market gap insight (06:40) Why no innovation (09:25) Ageism and discrimination (11:50) Formulation approach (14:20) Nutrition science (17:40) Packaging accessibility (20:20) Consumer awareness (23:40) Branding strategy (25:40) Social media engagement (26:50) Grandmother inspiration (27:45) Go-to-market channels (30:00) Near-term focus (31:38) Where to find (32:17) Conclusion

Chris Markowski discusses the pervasive issue of investment scams and fraud, emphasizing the importance of consumer awareness and education. He highlights the psychological tactics used by scammers to exploit greed and fear, and shares insights on how to protect oneself from financial deception. The conversation also delves into the current political climate, advocating for a more informed and responsible electorate, and the need for civic education to ensure a better future for upcoming generations.

The Tom Dupree Show  |  Podcast Show Notes The Nike Cautionary Tale: What Happens When Leadership Loses Touch With Its Customers The Tom Dupree Show  |  Dupree Financial Group  |  dupreefinancial.com  |  859-233-0400 Episode Description Nike spent decades building one of the most recognized brands on the planet — the Swoosh, the Air Jordan, high-heat basketball shoes that consumers lined up for, and a presence in every major sporting goods retailer in the world. Then, in 2020, the company handed its future to a CEO who believed physical retail was a dying model, and what followed became a study in how quickly a great company can lose its way. Tom Dupree and analyst Michael Dawahare walk through the full arc of Nike’s rise and decline — from its origins in performance athletics to a stock that traded at $180 and has since fallen to around $44. They examine the strategic decisions that caused the damage, the board failures that let it compound, and what retirement investors can take directly from the story. “You cannot put your own lenses on the lenses of your customer — you have to ask how they see the world, not how you see it.” Topics Covered • How Nike’s origins in performance athletics shaped the brand — and why that foundation was eventually abandoned • The 2020 appointment of CEO John Donahoe and the pivot toward a direct-to-consumer distribution model • Why walking away from wholesale partners like Foot Locker and specialty running stores was a catastrophic miscalculation • How competitors — HOKA, On Cloud, New Balance, ASICS, and Brooks — filled the shelf space Nike gave away • The role of groupthink and board failure in allowing the strategy to continue long after warning signs appeared • The Jordan Brand challenge: what happens when a generational endorsement ages out with no succession plan • Nike’s attempted course correction, the arrival of new CEO Elliott Hill, and why recovery is proving harder than expected • The parallel between Nike’s story and retirement portfolio management: proven strategy, fundamentals, and the danger of chasing new models Key Takeaways • Know what your portfolio is actually built on. The moment Nike shifted focus from technical performance products, competitors filled the gap. The same risk applies when an investment strategy drifts from its core principles. • Never surrender your shelf space. Giving up distribution — or abandoning a proven income strategy during volatility — is almost impossible to reverse. Re-entry is rarely seamless. • Leadership bias is one of the most expensive mistakes in business. Donahoe was an outstanding digital executive who ran a physical consumer company through a digital lens. Bias in a CEO — or a portfolio manager — costs real money. • Boards exist to prevent catastrophic decisions. Most don’t. Nike’s board approved a strategy that effectively fired its wholesale customer base. Institutional oversight is only as good as the willingness to ask uncomfortable questions. • Consumer loyalty, once transferred, is remarkably sticky. Runners who switched to HOKA or On Cloud did not come back. When a customer finds something they prefer, you may have lost them for good. • Recovery takes far longer than the damage itself. Nearly two years into Elliott Hill’s tenure, Nike still cannot get traction. A few years of bad decisions can take a decade to undo — in business and in retirement portfolios. • Proven strategies deserve skepticism about replacement, not abandonment. When a new model sounds compelling, always ask: What is the process? Has it been tested? And who benefits when you believe in it? About The Tom Dupree Show The Tom Dupree Show is hosted by Tom Dupree, founder of Dupree Financial Group and a 47-year veteran of the investment business. Each episode covers the financial topics that matter most to retirees and those approaching retirement — in plain English, without the Wall Street spin. Dupree Financial Group is a fee-only, fiduciary Registered Investment Advisory firm based in Lexington, Kentucky. The firm manages separately managed accounts focused on income-generating, dividend-paying portfolios — no products sold, no commissions, no conflicts of interest. Past episodes are available at dupreefinancial.com under the Radio tab. Schedule a Complimentary Portfolio Review If you’re not sure whether your portfolio is built on the same principles Nike abandoned — proven strategy, staying close to what works, and never losing sight of the fundamentals — we’ll take a look. No charge. No pressure. Just an honest conversation about what you own and whether it’s working for you. Call: 859-233-0400  |  Visit: dupreefinancial.com Dupree Financial Group is a Registered Investment Adviser (RIA) registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. The information presented on this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized investment advice. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. Please consult a qualified financial professional before making investment decisions. The post Nike’s Fall: Leadership Lessons for Retirement Investors appeared first on Dupree Financial.

Vancouver Consumer - June 13, 2026 - Angela Calla with Angela Calla Mortage Team

Vancouver Consumer - June 13, 2026 - John Carlson with John Carlson Real Estate

Recorded live at The Conduit in London in September 2024, Baratunde and Elizabeth Stewart sit down with their friend and longtime collaborator Jon Alexander, author of CITIZENS and co-host of the podcast How To Save Democracy, for a conversation about citizen as a verb: the radical, hopeful idea that democracy isn't something we have, it's something we do. They get into the story we inherited about independence, the older and truer story about interdependence, the four pillars of citizening, and why a moment when so much feels like it's collapsing is exactly the moment to start building. The timing is no accident. On Saturday, June 13, 2026 Jon takes the TED Democracy stage in Philadelphia at the birthplace of American independence, during America's 250th, to make the case for interdependence. A British man crossing the Atlantic to tell us the move is getting back together. Keep practicing democracy. The verb, not the noun. CHAPTERS 00:00:00 "We're gonna need some builders" (cold open)00:02:11 Welcome to How To Save Democracy00:02:45 How this London night came together00:03:40 Citizen as a verb, and the shift from head to heart00:05:40 Latent love: citizen, not consumer00:07:25 Story as the most powerful technology we have00:09:45 Consumer democracy and the only restaurant in town00:10:59 Why the vote still matters00:12:06 Head, heart, and gut00:16:24 Co-authors of this world: nature, each other, machines00:20:29 The four pillars, one at a time00:21:00 Pillar 1 - Invest in relationships (including with yourself)00:29:45 Pillar 2 - Understand power (and your attention)00:33:35 Pillar 3 - Commit to the collective (Bahrain and Broadband Bruce)00:44:10 Pillar 4 - Show up and participate00:44:25 Questions from the room00:46:42 Belonging, authoritarianism, and the case for builders00:49:38 Burnout, rupture, and repair00:52:35 Doomsday Preppers: two ways to survive00:54:10 How might we live together, period00:56:35 Citizens, not just consumers LINKS How To Save Democracy with Omezzine Khelifa & Jon Alexander: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-save-democracy/id1823945285 American Indigenous Democracy: A Call for Interdependence — the book from Haudenosaunee elders and wisdom keepers: https://americanindigenousdemocracy.com Jon Alexander / CITIZENS: https://jonalexander.netSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From Clinic to Consumer On How AI Is Reshaping the Entire Health Experience Host: Megan Antonelli Guest: Kenn Harper, GM, Dragon and DAX Copilot, Microsoft Join host Megan Antonelli who sits down with Kenneth Harper, General Manager for Dragon and DAX Copilot at Microsoft, to explore two major moves reshaping health AI. Dragon Copilot has now scaled to more than 100,000 clinical deployments across nine countries, spanning physician, nursing, and radiology workflows, while the newly launched Copilot Health gives patients a unified view of their health data from wearables, EHRs, and lab results, all between clinical visits. Kenneth unpacks what this dual-track strategy means for health systems, clinical teams, and patients, and what health system leaders need to be thinking about right now. Find all of our network podcasts on your favorite podcast platforms and be sure to subscribe and like us. Learn more at www.healthcarenowradio.com/listen/

This week, we discuss rising inflation, the upcoming Federal Open Market Committee meeting, and the much anticipated SpaceX initial public offering. Consumer prices continued to accelerate in May, with headline CPI rising 4.2% from a year earlier and core CPI increasing 2.9%. Alternative measures of inflation, including median, trimmed mean, and sticky CPI, also pointed to broadening price pressures. Producer prices rose at their fastest pace since 2022, prompting economists to revise their forecasts for the Federal Reserve's preferred inflation gauge, the Personal Consumption Expenditures index, higher. The renewed inflationary pressure complicates the outlook for monetary policy. With inflation moving further from the Federal Reserve's target, policymakers may find it increasingly difficult to justify lower interest rates and could instead be forced to maintain or even tighten policy. We examine the forces shaping the inflation outlook and discuss what investors should expect from the next FOMC meeting under the leadership of Kevin Warsh. We also turn to the SpaceX initial public offering and the broader state of financial markets. Investor enthusiasm for high growth companies remains intense, even as SpaceX, Anthropic, and OpenAI continue to generate substantial losses. The willingness of investors to assign extraordinary valuations to unprofitable businesses evokes uncomfortable comparisons with the technology boom of the late 1990s.

Advisors on This Week's Show Michael Hoelzl Art Rothschild Kyle Tetting With Max Hoelzl Engineered by Jason Scuglik Market Closings for the Week Nasdaq – 25889, up 179 points or 0.7% S&P 500 – 7431, up 48 points or 0.6% Dow Jones Industrial Average – 51202, up 336 points or 0.7% 10-year U.S. Treasury Note – 4.48%, down 0.06 point With an abundance of economic data this week we have a lot to cover. Here's some of the key topics and insights: SpaceX IPO dominates headlines Inflation concerns continue to pressure rate-cut expectations Rising energy prices remain the biggest inflation driver and are beginning to push food prices higher again. Consumer sentiment highlights strain on lower-income households University of Michigan survey data show lower-income consumers have been hit hardest by higher gasoline prices. Geographic concerns should not automatically disqualify investment opportunities. European indexes are less concentrated in technology and communication stocks, offering diversification benefits.

The recent filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection by Sleep Number, a prominent entity within the bedding industry, marks a significant moment in the ongoing consolidation of the mattress market. This venerable brand, boasting over 570 retail locations, has simultaneously entered into a proposed merger with Sleep Country Canada, positioning itself as a lead bidder in a court-supervised sale. The financial landscape reveals alarming figures, with liabilities estimated between $1 billion and $10 billion juxtaposed against assets ranging from $500 million to $1 billion. This development not only underscores the unsustainable nature of Sleep Number's capital structure, as articulated by CEO Linda Finley, but also casts a spotlight on the consequential ripple effects experienced by numerous suppliers, who are collectively owed substantial amounts in unpaid trade obligations. As we navigate through these unfolding events, it is imperative to recognize the broader implications for the specialty sleep retail sector, particularly amidst pressures arising from sluggish consumer demand and rising interest rates. The tumultuous landscape of the bedding industry has been starkly illustrated by the recent bankruptcy filing of Sleep Number, a venerable brand with a storied history spanning over four decades and a substantial network of more than 570 retail locations. The company's strategic decision to seek Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection is coupled with its proposed merger with Sleep Country Canada, a move that executives herald as a foundational step toward establishing a premier North American mattress and bedding entity. The contours of this unfolding narrative reveal not only the precarious financial position of Sleep Number, with assets estimated between $500 million and $1 billion set against liabilities soaring from $1 billion to $10 billion, but also the broader implications for the specialty sleep retail sector amidst a backdrop of dwindling consumer demand and elevated interest rates. Sleep Number's Chief Executive, Linda Finley, has articulated the challenges posed by an unsustainable capital structure, further complicated by the need to reject leases on 44 already shuttered locations while endeavoring to maintain profitable outlets. The ramifications of this bankruptcy extend beyond the immediate confines of Sleep Number, casting a shadow upon its supply chain and raising critical questions for industry stakeholders regarding credit exposure and the viability of existing trade relationships.Takeaways:The recent filing of Chapter 11 bankruptcy by Sleep Number has significant implications for the bedding industry, highlighting the precarious balance of financial stability and market pressures.The consolidation of the mattress category, alongside the pressures of diminished consumer demand and elevated interest rates, signifies a critical juncture for specialty sleep retailers.We must recognize that the financial turmoil experienced by Sleep Number has exposed a substantial $28.7 million in unpaid obligations to industry suppliers, illustrating the interconnectedness of retail and supply chains.Consumer spending trends indicate a marked shift towards essential goods, further complicating the outlook for discretionary spending in the furniture sector amidst economic uncertainty.The Home Furnishing Sentiment index has revealed a sharp decline in industry confidence, suggesting that cautious consumer behavior may necessitate more conservative buying strategies going forward.As supply chain dynamics continue to fluctuate, operators should remain vigilant regarding credit exposure and payment trends to mitigate potential risks associated with customer insolvencies.

Beverage Digest Editor & Publisher Duane Stanford and industry expert John Sicher bring Wall Street beverage analyst Kaumil Gajrawala of Jefferies into the room to separate consumer reality from consumer headlines. They pressure-test what “value” really means across today's beverage aisle and dig into why energy drinks keep winning, how Coke's price/mix strategy works, and where protein and non-alcoholic beer could steal the next occasion.Also: • How Jefferies tracks consumer health using delinquencies, auto loans, and payment data• Why “the consumer is weak” becomes an easy excuse for poor portfolio performance• Value equation vs affordability, and why breaking trust on price is hard to fix• The ladder behind energy drink growth: new consumers, new occasions, foodservice, and innovation• Why energy looks cheaper versus coffee over the last five years• Why carbonated soft drinks handle price-per-ounce variation better than most categories• What revenue growth management changes mean for Coca-Cola and bottlers...and more.Text us thoughts, questions, or topic suggestions.

Pippa Hudson speaks to Andrew Hodgson and Mary Lister, South Africans who are taking part in a very special international event celebrating Scottish dancing, linked to the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow from late July. Lunch with Pippa Hudson is CapeTalk’s mid-afternoon show. This 2-hour respite from hard news encourages the audience to take the time to explore, taste, read and reflect. The show - presented by former journalist, baker and water sports enthusiast Pippa Hudson - is unashamedly lifestyle driven. Popular features include a daily profile interview #OnTheCouch at 1:10pm. Consumer issues are in the spotlight every Wednesday while the team also unpacks all things related to health, wealth & the environment. Thank you for listening to a podcast from Lunch with Pippa Hudson Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays between 13:00 and 15:00 (SA Time) to Lunch with Pippa Hudson broadcast on CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk For more from the show go to https://buff.ly/MdSlWEs or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/fDJWe69 Subscribe to the CapeTalk Daily and Weekly Newsletters https://buff.ly/sbvVZD5 Follow us on social media: CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk CapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Plan your weekend entertainment, from events, movies and theatre to tv shows. Lunch with Pippa Hudson is CapeTalk’s mid-afternoon show. This 2-hour respite from hard news encourages the audience to take the time to explore, taste, read and reflect. The show - presented by former journalist, baker and water sports enthusiast Pippa Hudson - is unashamedly lifestyle driven. Popular features include a daily profile interview #OnTheCouch at 1:10pm. Consumer issues are in the spotlight every Wednesday while the team also unpacks all things related to health, wealth & the environment. Thank you for listening to a podcast from Lunch with Pippa Hudson Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays between 13:00 and 15:00 (SA Time) to Lunch with Pippa Hudson broadcast on CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk For more from the show go to https://buff.ly/MdSlWEs or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/fDJWe69 Subscribe to the CapeTalk Daily and Weekly Newsletters https://buff.ly/sbvVZD5 Follow us on social media: CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk CapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pippa Hudson speaks to dermatologist Dr Zandile Spengana about keloids, which are benign raised scars on the skin, and how to treat them. Lunch with Pippa Hudson is CapeTalk’s mid-afternoon show. This 2-hour respite from hard news encourages the audience to take the time to explore, taste, read and reflect. The show - presented by former journalist, baker and water sports enthusiast Pippa Hudson - is unashamedly lifestyle driven. Popular features include a daily profile interview #OnTheCouch at 1:10pm. Consumer issues are in the spotlight every Wednesday while the team also unpacks all things related to health, wealth & the environment. Thank you for listening to a podcast from Lunch with Pippa Hudson Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays between 13:00 and 15:00 (SA Time) to Lunch with Pippa Hudson broadcast on CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk For more from the show go to https://buff.ly/MdSlWEs or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/fDJWe69 Subscribe to the CapeTalk Daily and Weekly Newsletters https://buff.ly/sbvVZD5 Follow us on social media: CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk CapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pippa Hudson speaks to Michiel Heyns about his new book The Wildest Beauty, which is set partly in Stellenbosch and partly on the battlefields of World War One, as it traces the story of twin brothers growing to adulthood and making choices that both drive them apart and pull them back together. Lunch with Pippa Hudson is CapeTalk’s mid-afternoon show. This 2-hour respite from hard news encourages the audience to take the time to explore, taste, read and reflect. The show - presented by former journalist, baker and water sports enthusiast Pippa Hudson - is unashamedly lifestyle driven. Popular features include a daily profile interview #OnTheCouch at 1:10pm. Consumer issues are in the spotlight every Wednesday while the team also unpacks all things related to health, wealth & the environment. Thank you for listening to a podcast from Lunch with Pippa Hudson Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays between 13:00 and 15:00 (SA Time) to Lunch with Pippa Hudson broadcast on CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk For more from the show go to https://buff.ly/MdSlWEs or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/fDJWe69 Subscribe to the CapeTalk Daily and Weekly Newsletters https://buff.ly/sbvVZD5 Follow us on social media: CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk CapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Deb Muro, Chief Information Officer, El Camino Hospital, discusses how healthcare organizations are adapting to consumer expectations, leveraging AI to improve access and operational efficiency, and creating more personalized patient experiences. She also shares insights on agentic AI, smart healthcare environments, and the future of technology-enabled care.

This episode features a large news slate: Consumer prices rose 4.2% annually in May, highest in three years,Knicks pull off greatest comeback in NBA Finals history, Roughly half of Americans worry AI will take their jobs. QOFTW Rapide firehttps://www.instagram.com/delano.saporu/?hl=en. Connect with me here also: https://newstreetadvisorsgroup.com/social/. Want to support the show? Feel free to do so here! https://anchor.fm/delano-saporu4/support. Thank you for listening.

Economist, professor, and founder of The Malveaux Monitor online newsletter, Dr. Julianne Malveaux shares why she believes America is running on empty as the consumer price index rises, draining all of our pockets.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Chris Petrossian, co-head of consumer at Lincoln International, discusses the challenges facing consumer M&A, shifting investor priorities and the outlook for deal activity.

Driscoll's CEO says weather volatility, rising regulations, labor concerns, and water challenges continue shaping the future of California's specialty crop industry, even as consumer demand for berries remains strong. Driscoll's Chief Executive Officer Soren Bjorn recently joined AgNet News Hour to discuss the current berry season, the company's growth, and the challenges facing specialty crop growers throughout California and beyond. According to Bjorn, California's strawberry season has been unusual due to weather patterns that disrupted normal production schedules. An early heat wave followed by cooler and wetter conditions shifted harvest timing, creating supply challenges across key growing regions. “We had a way too many strawberries in March and April, and now we don't have enough,” Bjorn explained, noting that the timing of production has created market complications for growers and retailers. Driscoll's, a family-owned company approaching its 75th anniversary, works with approximately 1,000 growers worldwide and sells berries in roughly 65 countries. The company's business model centers on developing proprietary berry varieties, producing plants through its nursery system, and partnering with growers who produce the fruit. While strawberries remain the company's signature crop, Bjorn highlighted continued growth across the berry category, particularly blueberries. Consumer demand for fresh berries continues to rise as shoppers increasingly seek healthier food choices. “The whole category is really where consumers want to be,” Bjorn said. “It's healthy, it's convenient, and consumers today are making choices to live a healthier lifestyle.” Bjorn also addressed California's regulatory environment, describing it as one of the most significant challenges facing specialty crop producers. He emphasized that many specialty crops cannot simply relocate to other states because California's climate provides ideal growing conditions. “The best place in the world to grow strawberries is in California,” Bjorn said. “We can't move it somewhere else.” In addition to regulatory concerns, Bjorn pointed to labor, housing, and water availability as ongoing issues. While he noted improvements in the federal H-2A guest worker program, affordable farmworker housing remains difficult to develop, particularly in California's coastal production regions. Water management also varies dramatically by region. Bjorn explained that growers in Watsonville, Santa Maria, and Ventura County each face different water supply realities, requiring localized solutions to maintain long-term agricultural viability. The CEO also discussed organic production, noting that Driscoll's accounts for more than half of organic berry sales in North America. However, organic strawberries can cost 30 to 35 percent more to produce than conventional berries, creating economic challenges despite growing consumer demand. Bjorn said future success will depend on balancing sustainability goals with practical farming realities, particularly when it comes to crop protection tools and biological alternatives to traditional pesticides. He stressed that innovation must keep pace with regulatory changes to ensure growers remain profitable and productive. Beyond policy issues, Bjorn encouraged agriculture to do a better job telling its story to consumers and community leaders. He believes many misconceptions about farming can be addressed through education and direct engagement with the public. As California agriculture continues navigating regulatory, labor, and environmental pressures, Bjorn said maintaining profitable farms remains the ultimate priority. “There is nothing I'm more worried about in my job every day than making sure the growers we work with can be successful for another generation or two,” he said.

Mike and Luke discuss market conditions and conditions pork demand is in.

The headlines about China's economy often tell two contradictory stories at once: recovery and stagnation, consumer confidence and persistent caution, tech boom and structural drag. Making sense of what's actually happening requires someone who's tracking the data closely, week by week, from the ground up. Robert Wu does exactly that through Baiguan, a consultancy and popular newsletter that covers the Chinese economy, consumer trends, and business developments.In this episode, Robert gives us his unfiltered read on the state of China's economy in 2026. He breaks down two trends his recent newsletter highlighted: what's happening in the real estate market and whether salary recovery is real or overstated. He also assesses consumer sentiment and what it's actually showing up in spending behaviour across categories.Robert then takes us through a series of sector-specific spotlights: the auto market and whether robotaxis are genuinely scaling or still in hype territory; Pop Mart's trajectory and what it signals about Chinese consumer brands going global; DeepSeek's latest model and what it reveals about China's AI competitive position; and the food delivery war between Meituan and its challengers, and what that tells us about the state of China's consumer internet.He closes with the key variables that will shape the rest of the Chinese economy in 2026, and what international businesses should understand about China that isn't making it into the headlines. Discussion Points·       What Baiguan is, who Robert writes for, and what led him to cover the Chinese economy·       High-level read on the state of China's economy in 2026: recovery, stagnation, or something more complex·       Real estate market update: what the data is showing and whether the sector has turned a corner·       Salary recovery: how real it is, which segments are seeing it, and what it means for consumer spending·       Consumer sentiment assessment: how people are actually feeling and how it's showing up in spending patterns·       Auto market dynamics and the robotaxi question: genuine scaling or early-stage hype·       Pop Mart: bullish or bearish, and what its trajectory tells us about C-brand globalisation·       DeepSeek's new model and what it signals about China's AI competitive position relative to the West·       The food delivery war: who's winning, who's losing, and what it reveals about China's consumer internet·       Key variables to watch for the rest of 2026 and what international businesses are missing about China

Aku Vikström, CEO of a pan-Nordic branded food supplier, shares how leaders can build long-term success and resilience in consumer markets during times of macroeconomic disruption. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pippa Hudson speaks to Anacy, about her new song Good Luck to Her. Lunch with Pippa Hudson is CapeTalk’s mid-afternoon show. This 2-hour respite from hard news encourages the audience to take the time to explore, taste, read and reflect. The show - presented by former journalist, baker and water sports enthusiast Pippa Hudson - is unashamedly lifestyle driven. Popular features include a daily profile interview #OnTheCouch at 1:10pm. Consumer issues are in the spotlight every Wednesday while the team also unpacks all things related to health, wealth & the environment. Thank you for listening to a podcast from Lunch with Pippa Hudson Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays between 13:00 and 15:00 (SA Time) to Lunch with Pippa Hudson broadcast on CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk For more from the show go to https://buff.ly/MdSlWEs or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/fDJWe69 Subscribe to the CapeTalk Daily and Weekly Newsletters https://buff.ly/sbvVZD5 Follow us on social media: CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk CapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pippa Hudson speaks to Nicola Bergsteedt and Jason Dionysopoulos about The Future Fund, which asks funders to give up the cost of one single cup of takeaway coffee per month, and redirect those funds to established, well-vetted organisations where impact is proven. Lunch with Pippa Hudson is CapeTalk’s mid-afternoon show. This 2-hour respite from hard news encourages the audience to take the time to explore, taste, read, and reflect. The show - presented by former journalist, baker and water sports enthusiast Pippa Hudson - is unashamedly lifestyle driven. Popular features include a daily profile interview #OnTheCouch at 1:10 pm. Consumer issues are in the spotlight every Wednesday while the team also unpacks all things related to health, wealth & the environment. Thank you for listening to a podcast from Lunch with Pippa Hudson Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays between 13:00 and 15:00 (SA Time) to Lunch with Pippa Hudson broadcast on CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk For more from the show, go to https://buff.ly/MdSlWEs or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/fDJWe69 Subscribe to the CapeTalk Daily and Weekly Newsletters https://buff.ly/sbvVZD5 Follow us on social media: CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk CapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pippa Hudson speaks to Collet Dawson, South African Project Manager for Hong Kong Disneyland about the search for local vocalists for its Festival of the Lion King production. Lunch with Pippa Hudson is CapeTalk’s mid-afternoon show. This 2-hour respite from hard news encourages the audience to take the time to explore, taste, read and reflect. The show - presented by former journalist, baker and water sports enthusiast Pippa Hudson - is unashamedly lifestyle driven. Popular features include a daily profile interview #OnTheCouch at 1:10pm. Consumer issues are in the spotlight every Wednesday while the team also unpacks all things related to health, wealth & the environment. Thank you for listening to a podcast from Lunch with Pippa Hudson Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays between 13:00 and 15:00 (SA Time) to Lunch with Pippa Hudson broadcast on CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk For more from the show go to https://buff.ly/MdSlWEs or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/fDJWe69 Subscribe to the CapeTalk Daily and Weekly Newsletters https://buff.ly/sbvVZD5 Follow us on social media: CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk CapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pippa Hudson speaks to Dr John Manning about his latest book, Bulbs of the Fynbos, co-authored by Dee Snijman and published by Struik Nature. The book features close to 350 of our fynbos plants with information on how to identify them and a fascinating background that might help you grow them at home. Lunch with Pippa Hudson is CapeTalk’s mid-afternoon show. This 2-hour respite from hard news encourages the audience to take the time to explore, taste, read, and reflect. The show - presented by former journalist, baker and water sports enthusiast Pippa Hudson - is unashamedly lifestyle driven. Popular features include a daily profile interview #OnTheCouch at 1:10 pm. Consumer issues are in the spotlight every Wednesday while the team also unpacks all things related to health, wealth & the environment. Thank you for listening to a podcast from Lunch with Pippa Hudson Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays between 13:00 and 15:00 (SA Time) to Lunch with Pippa Hudson broadcast on CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk For more from the show, go to https://buff.ly/MdSlWEs or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/fDJWe69 Subscribe to the CapeTalk Daily and Weekly Newsletters https://buff.ly/sbvVZD5 Follow us on social media: CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk CapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pippa Hudson speaks to Andre Bothma, Head of Tax at TaxTim, about the new tax season, which opens on 1 July 2026. Lunch with Pippa Hudson is CapeTalk’s mid-afternoon show. This 2-hour respite from hard news encourages the audience to take the time to explore, taste, read, and reflect. The show - presented by former journalist, baker and water sports enthusiast Pippa Hudson - is unashamedly lifestyle driven. Popular features include a daily profile interview #OnTheCouch at 1:10 pm. Consumer issues are in the spotlight every Wednesday while the team also unpacks all things related to health, wealth & the environment. Thank you for listening to a podcast from Lunch with Pippa Hudson Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays between 13:00 and 15:00 (SA Time) to Lunch with Pippa Hudson broadcast on CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk For more from the show, go to https://buff.ly/MdSlWEs or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/fDJWe69 Subscribe to the CapeTalk Daily and Weekly Newsletters https://buff.ly/sbvVZD5 Follow us on social media: CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk CapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rory O'Neill, CMO of Checkout.com, doesn't just solve for payments- he's solving for brand preference in a crowded payments space. And he's doing it by competing on what's different, not what others do better. That insight changes everything, from how you position payments to how you build a team that can sustain growth as a challenger. In the latest episode of Scratch, Rory breaks down the playbook that lets Checkout compete with global giants. Brand preference wins 95% of B2B deals before salespeople ever show up- so your marketing owns the invisible 60% of the buyer's journey. Challenger brands win by picking one fight and building culture around it, not chasing everything competitors do. He reveals the three-part formula: focus your core business, build your culture, reinvest profit. Consumer marketing skills-data, insight, action-are B2B's secret superpower. And his rule: if you wouldn't say it at dinner, don't write it in marketing. The key takeaway: Brand preference wins deals - 95% of the time, the brands on the day-one top-five list are the ones that win. B2B buyers spend 60% of their journey before contacting a salesperson. Define your focus as a challenger - Compete on what's different, not on what competitors do better. Checkout only does digital payments to stay focused while competitors spread across multiple business lines. Three elements beat category norms - Focus on your core business, build the human operating system (culture, people, vision), then reinvest capital in new products. Consumer marketer skills are powerful in B2B - Data, insight, action, brand building, and performance marketing from the consumer world unlock B2B success. Understand stakeholder maps - B2B is complex: CTOs influence CFOs, recommenders influence buyers. Map those relationships to win. Simplify your language - Ditch jargon like "frictionless" and "seamless." Use words you'd use at dinner. Marketing becomes more interesting and understood. Marketing is logic and magic - Be both data-driven and creative. Avoid letting fiefdoms kill integrated work. Join everything together. Watch the video version of this podcast on Youtube ▶️: https://youtu.be/chR0mn9Pum0 Scratch is a production of Rival, a marketing innovation consultancy that develops strategies and capabilities that help businesses grow faster. Scratch is hosted by Eric Fulwiler, and he's joined by Rory O'Neill of Checkout.com in this episode. Find Rival online at www.wearerival.com, LinkedIn  Find Eric on LinkedIn Find Rory on LinkedIn  Say hi at media@wearerival.com, we'd love to hear from you. Rival is a marketing consultancy for brands that want to challenge convention in their category. We're on a mission to understand what challenger brands do differently to grow in categories that are being disrupted, and use a challenger playbook to deliver outsized impact through an integrated, tech-enabled approach. Past guests include CMOs from Mastercard, GE, Shell, Hyperloop, Adobe, PepsiCo, and Papa Johns.If you're interested in learning more about marketing from successful CMOs, we compiled a list of the top 5 CMO podcasts to listen to in 2024; check it out here

The market tried to bounce… and failed. SPY briefly pushed higher, then rolled over hard, tagged the 50-day moving average, and left behind a nasty lower-low candle. Now the warning signs that were hiding under the surface are starting to show up where everyone can see them.In this breakdown, we dig into why OVTLYR sell signals started flashing before the market weakness became obvious. Buy signals are fading, sell signals are rising, and only 29% of the market still has buy signals. Tech is getting hit hard, volatility is expanding, and the big leaders that used to carry the market are now leading it lower.Apple, Sonos, Sony, gold, silver, copper, and major tech areas like communication equipment, solar, and consumer electronics are all showing pressure. And with rates rising, the dollar pushing toward a key pivot, and the 2/10 spread still moving in the wrong direction, this market is getting a lot less forgiving.But money always rotates somewhere. Right now, the stronger areas are real estate, healthcare, industrials, utilities, and consumer defensive. Inside staples, packaged foods are starting to wake up, with names like Campbell's, Hormel, Smuckers, and Kraft Heinz showing why boring stocks can matter when the market gets ugly.✅ SPY failed bounce, sell signal, lower lows, and 50-day test✅ Tech sector breakdown, Apple, Sonos, Sony, and volatility expansion✅ Rates, dollar, gold, silver, copper, and 2/10 spread✅ Consumer defensive, utilities, staples, and sector rotation✅ Campbell's, Hormel, Smuckers, Kraft Heinz, and packaged food stocksIf you're watching this market and wondering where money is rotating while tech breaks down… this one shows the shift happening in real time.Subscribe to OVTLYR for disciplined trading strategies that actually make sense.

We are joined today by David Hirschfield of Consumer Escalation Services.Consumer advocacy is a subject I care deeply about, especially helping people understand practical options before they assume their only path is a lawsuit. Through Consumer Escalation Services and my book, The Consumer Escalation Playbook, my goal is to help consumers organize their facts, document their issues, communicate professionally, and escalate complaints in a clear, structured, nonlegal way.I think this could be a strong conversation for your audience. We could discuss common consumer mistakes, why emotions often hurt complaints, how documentation changes outcomes, when escalation makes sense, and what people can do when companies ignore them or give them the runaround.

In this episode, Deb Muro, Chief Information Officer, El Camino Hospital, discusses how healthcare organizations are adapting to consumer expectations, leveraging AI to improve access and operational efficiency, and creating more personalized patient experiences. She also shares insights on agentic AI, smart healthcare environments, and the future of technology-enabled care.

Inflation rose to its highest annual rate in three years in May, as surging oil costs once again fueled broader price increases amid a persistent conflict in the Middle East, according to federal data released Wednesday. Consumer prices increased 4.2% from May 2025 and 0.5% between April and May, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported, matching consensus economist estimates, according to FactSet. That's the first time inflation crossed the 4% annual rate since May 2023 (4%), and it's the highest rate since April 2023 (4.9%). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pippa Hudson speaks to motoring journalist Ernest Page about the new Suzuki Across. Lunch with Pippa Hudson is CapeTalk’s mid-afternoon show. This 2-hour respite from hard news encourages the audience to take the time to explore, taste, read, and reflect. The show - presented by former journalist, baker and water sports enthusiast Pippa Hudson - is unashamedly lifestyle driven. Popular features include a daily profile interview #OnTheCouch at 1:10 pm. Consumer issues are in the spotlight every Wednesday while the team also unpacks all things related to health, wealth & the environment. Thank you for listening to a podcast from Lunch with Pippa Hudson Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays between 13:00 and 15:00 (SA Time) to Lunch with Pippa Hudson broadcast on CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk For more from the show, go to https://buff.ly/MdSlWEs or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/fDJWe69 Subscribe to the CapeTalk Daily and Weekly Newsletters https://buff.ly/sbvVZD5 Follow us on social media: CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk CapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Motheo Khoaripe speaks to Consumer ninja Wendy Knowler, about how FNB’s airport lounge access system charges clients upfront and only later confirms eligibility, leaving travellers unknowingly billed once their complimentary visits run out. The Money Show is a podcast hosted by well-known journalist and radio presenter, Stephen Grootes. He explores the latest economic trends, business developments, investment opportunities, and personal finance strategies. Each episode features engaging conversations with top newsmakers, industry experts, financial advisors, entrepreneurs, and politicians, offering you thought-provoking insights to navigate the ever-changing financial landscape.    Thank you for listening to a podcast from The Money Show Listen live Primedia+ weekdays from 18:00 and 20:00 (SA Time) to The Money Show with Stephen Grootes broadcast on 702 https://buff.ly/gk3y0Kj and CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk For more from the show, go to https://buff.ly/7QpH0jY or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/PlhvUVe Subscribe to The Money Show Daily Newsletter and the Weekly Business Wrap here https://buff.ly/v5mfetc The Money Show is brought to you by Absa     Follow us on social media   702 on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadio702 702 on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@talkradio702 702 on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkradio702/ 702 on X: https://x.com/CapeTalk 702 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@radio702   CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk CapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/Radio702 CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this retail heat map episode, Carol Spieckerman examines the cascading cost crisis reshaping the consumer economy in 2026. From fuel price spikes driven by Strait of Hormuz disruptions to corporate pricing strategies that blur the line between necessity and opportunism, Carol connects seemingly disparate headlines to reveal a structural economic shift affecting every aspect of retail. Through her recent media contributions, including an appearance on China Global Television Network, Carol analyzes how petroleum-embedded supply chains create compounding cost pressures while retailers navigate impossible choices between absorbing increases or passing them to cash-strapped consumers. Plus, insights into Walmart's digital shelf label rollout, GLP-1 medication impacts on retail assortments, and why this inflationary wave differs fundamentally from previous cycles.Key TakeawaysFuel crisis creates retail domino effect across all categories – With gas prices experiencing the largest single-day increase since March 2022 and national averages nearing $5 per gallon, petroleum costs embedded throughout supply chains affect everything from plastic packaging to agricultural fertilizers. Carol explains how disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz (handling one-third of global seaborne oil) trigger immediate price spikes that retailers implement within days, creating a 3-6 week lag between crude oil disruption and consumer impact.Corporate profit margins reveal opportunistic pricing during crisis – Analysis of corporate earnings shows many companies maintaining steady or higher profit margins during inflationary periods, raising questions about legitimate cost increases versus margin padding. Carol explores the "honor system" approach to pricing transparency and how some companies use economic chaos as cover for profit expansion while others genuinely struggle with supply chain cost pressures.Walmart's digital shelf label technology enables dynamic pricing capabilities The retailer's chain-wide rollout of digital shelf labels brings operational efficiency gains but also introduces capability for real-time price changes every ten seconds. Despite Walmart's commitment to implementing updates outside shopping hours, the technology infrastructure supports surge pricing models already normalized in e-commerce, flight booking, and ride-sharing platforms.Consumer behavior shifts toward purposeful, consolidated shopping – Rising transportation costs drive preference for one-stop shopping destinations like Walmart and Amazon while penalizing specialty retailers requiring dedicated trips. Lower-income households face disproportionate budget pressure from necessity spending increases, while small businesses lack negotiating leverage to manage supplier cost increases, creating widening competitive gaps in retail marketplace.GLP-1 medication impacts follow cyclical patterns rather than permanent shifts – Weight-loss drug usage affects retail assortments and portion sizing, but Carol's analysis reveals cyclical consumer behavior as users plateau, reach goals, or discontinue medications. Rather than fundamentally reshaping availability for all shoppers, retailers expand assortments to accommodate GLP-1 users alongside traditional options, with larger diversified retailers better positioned to serve multiple consumer segments simultaneously.The Retail RealityCarol identifies this moment as a structural economic shift rather than temporary inflation, with cascading costs affecting petroleum-dependent supply chains, manufacturing processes, and transportation networks simultaneously. The crisis reveals competitive advantages for diversified retailers with multiple revenue streams (marketplace fees, advertising income, membership programs) while exposing vulnerabilities in specialty retail formats requiring dedicated consumer trips. Corporate pricing strategies range from legitimate cost management to opportunistic margin expansion, with long-term customer loyalty implications for companies perceived as exploiting economic hardship. Technology developments like digital shelf labeling accelerate dynamic pricing capabilities while consumer acceptance remains uncertain. The episode concludes that traditional retail assumptions about average consumers with predictable needs no longer apply, as economic pressure creates more calculated shopping behaviors, conditional brand loyalty, and expectations for demonstrable value on every purchase. Retailers must balance transparency about genuine cost pressures with creative value delivery methods that go beyond simple price competition.Want to be a guest on Spieckerman Speaks Retail? Contact team@spieckermanretail.comCheck out more of Carol's retail insights and updates Follow Carol on LinkedInFollow Carol on Twitter

Pippa Hudson speaks to MasiSports founder Vince van der Bijl about their latest project, the establishment of a mini-orchestra at Ukhanyo Primary School. Lunch with Pippa Hudson is CapeTalk’s mid-afternoon show. This 2-hour respite from hard news encourages the audience to take the time to explore, taste, read and reflect. The show - presented by former journalist, baker and water sports enthusiast Pippa Hudson - is unashamedly lifestyle driven. Popular features include a daily profile interview #OnTheCouch at 1:10 pm. Consumer issues are in the spotlight every Wednesday while the team also unpacks all things related to health, wealth & the environment. Thank you for listening to a podcast from Lunch with Pippa Hudson Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays between 13:00 and 15:00 (SA Time) to Lunch with Pippa Hudson broadcast on CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk For more from the show, go to https://buff.ly/MdSlWEs or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/fDJWe69 Subscribe to the CapeTalk Daily and Weekly Newsletters https://buff.ly/sbvVZD5 Follow us on social media: CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk CapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pippa Hudson speaks to consumer journalist Wendy Knowler about a carpenter who after 18 years had paid R200k on his R50k homeloan with Standard Bank. Lunch with Pippa Hudson is CapeTalk’s mid-afternoon show. This 2-hour respite from hard news encourages the audience to take the time to explore, taste, read, and reflect. The show - presented by former journalist, baker and water sports enthusiast Pippa Hudson - is unashamedly lifestyle driven. Popular features include a daily profile interview #OnTheCouch at 1:10 pm. Consumer issues are in the spotlight every Wednesday while the team also unpacks all things related to health, wealth & the environment. Thank you for listening to a podcast from Lunch with Pippa Hudson Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays between 13:00 and 15:00 (SA Time) to Lunch with Pippa Hudson broadcast on CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk For more from the show, go to https://buff.ly/MdSlWEs or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/fDJWe69 Subscribe to the CapeTalk Daily and Weekly Newsletters https://buff.ly/sbvVZD5 Follow us on social media: CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk CapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You focus on building strategies that start with understanding the consumer. How has putting the consumer at the center of your decisions shaped your most successful digital initiatives?Brands today operate across retail, pure-play eCommerce, and DTC channels. What are the biggest challenges in creating a seamless experience, and how do you approach solving them?With your experience in performance marketing and advanced measurement, how do you blend data insights with creative strategy to drive meaningful growth?From launching high-converting storefronts to testing new digital platforms, what have been the most important lessons in scaling digital initiatives effectively?If viewers remember one key insight or piece of advice from this conversation, what would you want it to be?

In this episode of The Private Equity Podcast, Alex Rawlings speaks with David Bell, former Wharton Professor of Marketing and early-stage investor in consumer companies including Diapers.com, Warby Parker, Harry's and Jet.com. David shares what he looks for in standout consumer brands, why founder insight and capital discipline matter, and how businesses can build emotional and symbolic value around everyday products.David explains why great consumer companies often begin with a simple frustration: what is wrong with the status quo? From buying diapers online to rethinking eyewear pricing, the best founders identify a clear customer problem, build a strong proposition, and execute with precision. He also discusses why overcapitalisation can damage consumer brands, using Allbirds and Casper as examples of businesses that grew quickly but struggled to sustain value.The conversation explores omnichannel distribution, brand storytelling, cultural relevance and genuine product innovation. David highlights Touchland, Warby Parker, Native, EOS, Hello and Happy, showing how founders can elevate mundane categories through design, positioning and customer experience.Key Takeaways: Great consumer investments often start with a visceral customer problem.  Capital efficiency is critical because consumer exits rarely match software-scale outcomes.  Strong brands combine functional, emotional and symbolic value.  D2C alone is rarely enough; winning brands need a measured omnichannel strategy.  The next wave of consumer winners needs real product innovation, not just better go-to-market.  Founder obsession with small details in design, scent, usability and narrative creates differentiation. Timestamps: 00:03 – Introduction to David Bell and his journey from New Zealand to New York 01:00 – David's background at Wharton and investing in consumer companies 01:28 – What attracted David to early winners like Diapers.com 02:19 – Why Diapers.com solved a fundamental customer pain point 03:15 – The importance of insight, execution and market size 03:44 – Lessons from Allbirds and the dangers of overcapitalisation 05:32 – How great consumer brands scale beyond the early stage 06:27 – The shift from pure D2C to omnichannel distribution 07:52 – Why strategic buyers value brands with retail traction 09:18 – Why some consumer brands fail to sustain momentum 10:11 – Touchland and the reinvention of hand sanitiser 11:33 – Cultural relevance, collaborations and emotional connection 12:03 – Sponsor message from Grata 12:32 – What makes a brand fundamentally strong 13:29 – Diapers.com and the power of descriptive branding 14:26 – Warby Parker's storytelling, fairness and American heritage 15:49 – Building cognitive associations through brand activations 17:40 – How much brand success is intentional versus luck 18:09 – Opportunities in legacy consumer categories 19:24 – Why obsessive attention to detail matters 20:19 – Craig Dubitsky, EOS, Hello and elevating mundane products 21:15 – Happy Coffee and design-led differentiation 22:14 – Where the consumer industry is today 22:43 – Capital-efficient growth and the Native deodorant example 23:39 – Why real product innovation now matters more than ever 24:36 – What David reads, watches and listens to 25:04 – Identifying white spaces in health, wellness and longevity 26:30 – Consumer opportunities through cultural arbitrage 27:27 – Lessons from Coca-Cola's global distribution and brand power 28:24 – How to connect with David Bell 28:52 – Closing remarksRaw Selection partners with Private Equity firms and their portfolio companies to secure exceptional executive talent. We focus on de-risking executive recruitment through meticulous search and selection processes, ensuring top-tier performance and long-term success.

Pippa Hudson speaks to maritime specialist, Brian Ingpen, about the shipping history of St Helena Island. Lunch with Pippa Hudson is CapeTalk’s mid-afternoon show. This 2-hour respite from hard news encourages the audience to take the time to explore, taste, read and reflect. The show - presented by former journalist, baker and water sports enthusiast Pippa Hudson - is unashamedly lifestyle driven. Popular features include a daily profile interview #OnTheCouch at 1:10pm. Consumer issues are in the spotlight every Wednesday while the team also unpacks all things related to health, wealth & the environment. Thank you for listening to a podcast from Lunch with Pippa Hudson Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays between 13:00 and 15:00 (SA Time) to Lunch with Pippa Hudson broadcast on CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk For more from the show go to https://buff.ly/MdSlWEs or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/fDJWe69 Subscribe to the CapeTalk Daily and Weekly Newsletters https://buff.ly/sbvVZD5 Follow us on social media: CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk CapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pippa Hudson tackles the question of online schooling in South Africa with education specialist Dr Sara Black, the deputy programme director of the MA in Education Management and Leadership at King’s College London and Leah Nassan, co-founder of Kula Learn and educational consultant at Students for a Better Futures. Lunch with Pippa Hudson is CapeTalk’s mid-afternoon show. This 2-hour respite from hard news encourages the audience to take the time to explore, taste, read and reflect. The show - presented by former journalist, baker and water sports enthusiast Pippa Hudson - is unashamedly lifestyle driven. Popular features include a daily profile interview #OnTheCouch at 1:10pm. Consumer issues are in the spotlight every Wednesday while the team also unpacks all things related to health, wealth & the environment. Thank you for listening to a podcast from Lunch with Pippa Hudson Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays between 13:00 and 15:00 (SA Time) to Lunch with Pippa Hudson broadcast on CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk For more from the show go to https://buff.ly/MdSlWEs or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/fDJWe69 Subscribe to the CapeTalk Daily and Weekly Newsletters https://buff.ly/sbvVZD5 Follow us on social media: CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk CapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Erik Torenberg speaks with tech analyst Benedict Evans about the current state of AI, what has changed over the past year, and which questions remain unanswered. The conversation covers coding agents, foundation models, AI infrastructure spending, software economics, and the tension between today's AI excitement and the long-term realities of technology adoption. Evans discusses why coding has emerged as AI's first breakout use case, how previous platform shifts can help frame the current moment, and why many of the most important questions about AI remain unresolved. Along the way, they explore the future of software, enterprise adoption, consumer behavior, and whether AI models ultimately capture value themselves or become infrastructure for the next generation of applications.   Resources: Follow Benedict Evans on X: https://x.com/benedictevans Follow Erik Torenberg on X: https://x.com/eriktorenberg Stay Updated:Find a16z on YouTube: YouTubeFind a16z on XFind a16z on LinkedInListen to the a16z Show on SpotifyListen to the a16z Show on Apple PodcastsFollow our host: https://twitter.com/eriktorenberg Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Is the pet industry slowing down, or is it simply evolving? In this episode, we explore recent projections showing pet industry growth moderating from pandemic-era highs while still expanding overall. We discuss how changing consumer behavior is impacting pet sitting and dog walking businesses, why outcomes matter more than services, and how trust is becoming a critical differentiator. We also examine the growing influence of cat ownership and what it means for pet care providers. Finally, we share practical ways pet sitters can position themselves for success as the industry enters its next phase of maturity. Main topics: Pet industry growth slowdown Consumer spending behavior shifts Outcome-focused service marketing Growing cat ownership trends Trust and premium positioning Main takeaway: "The businesses that survive are going to be the ones that, when the client gets their credit card statement or their bank statement and they see your name, they don't cringe—they're excited." When clients see your business name on their bank statement, what do they feel? If the answer is excitement, relief, gratitude, or peace of mind, you're building something valuable. The pet industry is changing. Growth is still happening, but consumers are becoming more intentional about where they spend their money. The businesses that thrive won't necessarily be the cheapest. They'll be the ones that solve meaningful problems, build trust, and consistently deliver value. Don't focus on being the lowest-priced option or even the highest priced. Focus on becoming the service your clients can't imagine living without. Links: Episode 703: Cat Sitting Roundtable: https://www.petsitterconfessional.com/episodes/703  Episode on PSI Global Standards: https://www.petsitterconfessional.com/episodes/640  Check out our Starter Packs See all of our discounts!

What if the way we talk about "the other side" isn't just rude — it's something closer to dehumanization? Consumer and social psychologist Lura Forcum has a precise vocabulary for what's happening, and a clear-eyed prescription for what to do about it. Two minutes. Real impact. Leave a review: lovethepodcast.com/politicsandreligion Lura writes the newsletter How to Human and co-hosts We Made This Political with political scientist Lauren Hall. Her work sits at the intersection of human behavior, civic life, and the social cognition we're outsourcing to screens, algorithms, and AI. Calls to Action ✅ If this episode resonates, consider sharing it with someone who might need a reminder that disagreement doesn't have to mean dehumanization. ✅ Check out our Substack: coreysnathan.substack.com ✅ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen:  lovethepodcast.com/politicsandreligion ✅ Subscribe to Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other on your favorite podcast platform. ✅ Watch the full conversation and subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/@politicsandreligion Key Takeaways Infrahumanization is the dehumanization we don't notice. Calling people vermin is rare and widely rejected. But treating the other side as interchangeable, simple, or incapable of real suffering? That's everywhere — and it's the mental move that makes cruelty psychologically possible. Politics is relational, and we've been pretending it isn't. Civic life is built from relationships that require reciprocity. We've convinced ourselves the normal rules don't apply when the subject is politics. They do. Broken relationships have to be repaired. We evolved for face-to-face. We didn't evolve for this. Online, you never have to reckon with being wrong about someone. In person, you're stuck with them — and that's the point. About Our Guest Lura Forcum is a consumer and social psychologist, strategic advisor, and former professor. She writes How to Human on Substack and co-hosts We Made This Political with Lauren Hall. Links and Resources How to Human: luraforcum.substack.com We Made This Political: wemadethispolitical.substack.com Lura on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/luraforcum Grateful to our friends at The Democracy Group: www.democracygroup.org You evolved to do this. You've just been out of practice.

SpaceX IPO is garnering criticisms, but it's OK because now they're an AI company! Google is ordered by the EU to add clearer credit to AI summaries, but European Parliament is still switching to a French search firm. GoPro is in trouble. Meta has been scanning faces with their glasses. The Surface Laptop gets Leaked. We're already seeing leaks on the NEXT generation of Vivo phones. And what's going on with Apple this week? Let's get our tech week started off RIGHT! -- Show Notes and Links https://somegadgetguy.com/b/4dk Support Talking Tech with SomeGadgetGuy by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/talking-tech-with-somegadgetgu Find out more at https://talking-tech-with-somegadgetgu.pinecast.co This podcast is powered by Pinecast. Try Pinecast for free, forever, no credit card required. If you decide to upgrade, use coupon code r-c117ce for 40% off for 4 months, and support Talking Tech with SomeGadgetGuy.

The rural economy is awash with good news on the revenue front. Consumer spending figures from Cuscal Paymark, show consumer spending reached 3.8 billion dollars in May, that's up 1.2 percent, year on year. But in Waikato, the increase was 4.6 percent, 280 percent above the national average. Don Good, chief executive of the Waikato Chamber of Commerce spoke to John Campbell.

Mortgage lenders track rates, volume, and affordability. But are they paying close enough attention to what's happening in real estate — and how it directly affects their business? In this episode of Connect, California MBA CEO Paul Gigliotti sits down with Coby Hakalir, SVP/Managing Director of Mortgage & Core Services at T3 Sixty, a firm helping real estate leaders think through strategy, brokerage performance, technology, and the future of how real estate companies operate. The conversation covers consolidation, the fight for the consumer, the evolving LO-agent relationship, and what AI is starting to do to the home search experience. This is the intersection of mortgage and real estate — and it's a conversation the industry needs to have. In this episode: • Why real estate brokerage EBITDA is hovering near zero — and the parallels to mortgage • The consolidation wave: Compass at 30% market share, Rocket-Redfin, and what it means for JV partnerships • Why 80% of borrowers and real estate clients never come back — and the stat behind it (88% don't even remember their loan officer's name 12 months after the transaction) • What agents actually want from lender partners right now — and why coffee and open houses aren't enough anymore • The dual technological journey borrowers go through — and why it's creating transaction trauma • How propensity data and AI-powered home search are reshaping the consumer experience in real estate • Answer engine optimization vs. search engine optimization — and why it matters for mortgage next • Why shifts in the market always create opportunity — and how to approach change with eyes wide open Connect is the California MBA's podcast where strategy, innovation, and leadership come together to shape the future of mortgage finance. Subscribe for new episodes featuring the voices driving the mortgage industry forward.

Patrick Burke is Country Manager at Hostinger, leading marketing across the US, UK, AU and CA. Fifteen years in the trenches at agencies, startups and global brands. American expat in Spain. Top 3 Value Bombs 1. Early-stage startups provide the fastest path to learning ownership, adaptability, and real business skills. 2. Sustainable growth comes from balancing short-term performance marketing with long-term brand building. 3. The biggest barrier today isn't launching a business. it's taking the first step and executing. Check out Patrick's website. Build your business today with accessible tools - Hostinger Sponsors HighLevel - The ultimate all-in-one platform for entrepreneurs, marketers, coaches, and agencies. Learn more at HighLevelFire.com. 50 Days - Join JLD on his free '50 Days to Something' video series on YouTube and create something special in 50 days.

#721: The US economy showed robust job growth in May, adding 172,000 new jobs, exceeding expectations. This suggests a broadening of economic recovery beyond essential services. Treasury yields have climbed significantly, reflecting investor concerns about inflation. Inflation remains a significant concern, driven largely by surging energy costs. And there's good news emerging in prescription drug prices. We're going to discuss all of this and more in the June 2026 First Friday episode. Timestamps: Note: Timestamps will vary on individual listening devices based on dynamic advertising segments. The provided timestamps are approximate and may be several minutes off due to changing ad lengths. (0:00) May jobs surge (04:31) Fed rate hike outlook (06:08) Bond yields and stocks (11:57) Home prices keep falling (16:15) Austin housing correction (17:18) Inflation and energy costs (21:21) Gas prices hit budgets (23:05) Consumer sentiment weakens (28:11) JPMorgan market outlook (29:14) Mag Seven loses dominance (33:04) Prescription drug prices drop (39:24) SpaceX IPO plans and demand Resources: JP Morgan article: https://am.jpmorgan.com/us/en/asset-management/adv/insights/market-insights/guide-to-the-markets Free download: Asset Location Made Simple https://affordanything.com/assetlocation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices