NOSH Podcast: Kroger’s Blockbuster Acquisition Shakes Up Grocery Channel

On this week’s show, NOSH editor Carol Ortenberg, BevNET Editor-in-Chief Jeff Klineman and reporter Lukas Southard discussed Nancy Pelosi’s favorite snack while in lockdown at the Capitol, more personnel shake-ups in the plant-based meat industry and how brand focus plays a big role in the growth success and failure for emerging food companies. Then Carol and Jeff sat down with retail experts John Maggiore and Errol Schweizer to talk about the implications of the biggest food business story of last week: Kroger’s announcement of its intent to acquire Albertsons, creating the largest supermarket chain in the country.

In this episode:

1:14 – Carol discusses what meat snack made a guest appearance during the Capitol Hearing on January 6.

3:10 – Lukas and the group talk about industry lay-offs occurring in the CPG food industry. Lukas reports on the news that Beyond Meat will be cutting another 20% of its workforce and Laird’s shutting down an Oregon production facility. The layoffs show that growing too quickly or not understanding a long term demand can force brands to restructure production models.

7:45 – Carol tells the team about her recent story revolving around Sweet Loren’s cookies bringing in a new president and how focusing growth in the right places to build a successful brand.

13:40 – Jeff and Carol host a panel discussion with CPG experts John Maggiore and Errol Schweizer to talk more about what the Kroger/Albertsons merger will look like for the grocery channel and what this means for emerging food brands.

About the NOSH Podcast

The staff of NOSH.com takes listeners inside the business of natural, organic, sustainable and healthy food during the NOSH Podcast. Using interviews and discussion, the team illuminates the news, brands, people, trends, and money affecting the world of packaged food.

New episodes are released every week. Send us comments and suggestions anytime to podcast@nosh.com.

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This week, the NOSH team host a panel of CPG experts to talk about the implications Kroger’s intent to acquire Albertsons and create the largest supermarket chain in the country.