Dane Almassy

How is the moderation of alcoholic beverages by consumers impacting on and off premise sales? This was one of the topics discussed during the presentation by NielsenIQ's Kaleigh Theriault at ECRM's On & Off Premise Adult Beverage Session in Vegas this week, and in this video interview with Joseph Tarnowski, she discusses this impact, and how it can be addressed. Much of this moderation, according to Kaleigh, was driven by over-consumption of the pandemic and an increased focus by consumers on health and wellness. They are paying more attention to the ingredients they are putting into their bodies and are more aware of the negative effects of too much alcohol on their health. Because of this, they are increasingly turning to non-alcohol adult beverages, as well as products with cleaner or healthier ingredients. Inflation and the higher cost of living has also been a driver, leading to less consumption and more off premise consumption. But it has also led to premiumization. While they may be drinking on fewer occasions, when they do drink, they want something higher quality. This is most prevalent among Gen Z consumers, who -- while they may not have stopped drinking altogether, are consuming differently. For example, they may "pre-game" with some RTDs at a friend's house before heading out, combining both off and on premise to get the most value. How can this be addressed? For off premise, it's important to ensure that the right non-alcoholic adult beverages are included in your sets, as well as a mix of value and premium offerings among the alcoholic beverages. On premise operations can turn mocktails into signature drinks and ensure that you have availability of these beverages for those consumers. Watch the video below for more insights from Kaliegh! #beer #wine #spirits #cocktails, #retail #foodservice #restaurants #hospitality Alessandra Andrade Balerini Jordan Moore Amanda Tomsik Sarah Davidson James Sherman

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Younger consumers are driving the shift toward adventurous snack flavors, from spicy to globally inspired to just plain "out there." You name it, they'll probably try it! However, this article underscores the competitive nature of the category — new innovations are launching daily. But which of these products will have staying power?   It's critical to understand the cultural forces behind today's snacking trends so you can innovate wisely. Our recently-published report, "Future of Snacking 2024" has over 100 pages of insights and category-level dashboards to inform your strategy. Explore the report overview and purchase your copy here: https://lnkd.in/guuZR4Fd

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Big news in the CPG industry! Mars has agreed to acquire Kellanova (Kellogg's salty snacks spin-off) for a whopping $36B. This strategic move not only gives Mars a new arm in the human snacking world but also positions them to meet the future demand for sustainable, healthy snacking. The deal comes amidst a trend where consumer trade-downs to lower-cost options continue to dominate the market. This acquisition not only speaks of leverage but also underscores the significance of brand equity for leading CPG companies. Competitors in the sector should take note. Mars, known for its expertise in infusing acquisitions with capital to scale, is set to make waves with this deal. Stay tuned for the ripple effects in the industry. #CPG #Fletcher #CompetitiveIntelligence Read more: [Link to article]

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It is pumpkin spice season. However, consumers are not stopping at pumpkin spice when it comes to their love of flavor-packed beverages. Spiced and swicy (spicy-sweet) flavors are continuing to rise in popularity across-the-board. As consumer palates expand, demand for complex and bold flavor combinations continues to grow. Products that meet these criteria are addressing consumer interest in exciting and new options to explore, as well as tapping into the perception that spiced and swicy drinks are better-for-you. Many consumers associate spicy ingredients with metabolism and boosting energy. Take a look at this expanded list of claims associated to Spiced, compiled from Black Swan Data's US Beverages Dataset. Do any of these claims particularly stand out to you? If so, why? #mrx #cpg #trends

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The hydration market, now valued at $156 billion, is experiencing significant growth as nearly half of U.S. consumers turn to hydration beverages for issues like headaches and fatigue. This trend underscores the rise of functional beverages that support overall health and energy management.    Dive into the latest insights from Circana in FoodNavigator USA's article, “Magnesium, Multi-Functional Hydration Claims Rise as Consumers Seek to Improve Wellness, Circana Reports.” 

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CPG Panel — “More than commerce”: 🔥 We are working on a mega panel (June 13) of CPG powerhouses right now including some of my great friends: Jamie Schwab (Colgate-Palmolive) Jamie Decker (Del Monte Foods, Inc.). We will be diving into the importance of driving direct-to-customer engagement through digital, not just commerce. Topics: (4) 1. First-party data strategies 2. Customer engagement 3. Omnichannel marketing 4. No doubt AI! We still have a few panelists spots remaining, feel free send me a DM or comment below if you may be interested or know some who would be great for this topic. #ecommerce #digital #omnichannel #strategy #cmo #cdo #ceo #cro #leadership #retailecommerceclub #cpg #privateequity #playtowin

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Beverage alcohol consumption has undergone significant changes in recent years, influenced heavily by the pandemic and evolving preferences of younger consumers aged 21 and older. I joined Joan Holleran Driggs for an episode of Circana’s Growth Insights podcast to explore these shifts and offer insights into what we can expect for 2024 and beyond. Here are the key takeaways: 🍺 Traditionally, adults aged 21 started with beer or wine. Now, many young adults are beginning with ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages, particularly spirits-based options. 📉 Despite a plethora of choices, overall beverage alcohol consumption is softening across generations. However, premium beverages are still experiencing growth. 🥤 The appeal of RTD beverage alcohol among younger consumers is largely due to innovative packaging, including on-the-go options like ball form, slim cans, and aseptic packaging. 🥃 Whiskey, tequila, spirits-based RTDs, and imported beer from Mexico continue to drive the beverage alcohol market. Listen to the full episode here: https://lnkd.in/gqRdf9Xd #Circana #BeverageAlcohol #RTD #GenerationalTrends #PremiumBeverages #CircanaGrowthInsights

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Top 5 tips on building and maintaining strong relationships with retailers to secure shelf space and drive sales: 1. Meeting initial item set-up timelines with incredible accuracy 2. Updating the Retailer on any changes in the supply channel 3. Once establishing the cost of the shelf space, promote and invest to drive sales. Makes no sense to say “ I don’t have enough left to fund the requested programs.” 4. Be smart and be able to frequently review ROI on any tool or program that is used to be sure you are spending marketing dollars efficiently. 5. Continuous Evaluation, Continuous Improvement: The journey doesn't end with a deal. #cpg #retail #shelfspace

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