CPG Week Podcast

In this episode: In this episode, the CPG Week team goes back through some of the trends they tracked in 2024 while looking ahead to predictions and issues to watch in the new year. Kicking off a discussion on 2024 trends, senior reporter Brad Avery starts with an update on the energy drink category and its evolution over the past year. Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous explains how consumer interest in GLP-1 drugs has impacted food and beverage. Senior reporter Lukas Southard talks private label prioritization and how it relates to inflation. The team goes on to look ahead with predictions about 2025 trends to watch, including an emphasis on seed oil-free products, consolidation, and the impact of tariffs and inflation on the CPG industry. Show Highlights: 0:30 – Energy drinks continue to dominate the beverage category with renewed strength behind women-positioned options. This time last year, big CPG companies were wringing their hands over the impact of GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic or Wegovy, but 2024 brought a slew of brands positioned toward the opportunity in the weight-loss consumer group. 4:00 – Whether it’s Walmart’s bettergoods or Amazon Saver, private label is on the rise with no sign of slowing. The team discusses how retailers like CVS are bringing new energy with its new Well Market store brand and what it means long term for retail. 6:45 – It’s often difficult to make bold predictions for the coming year, but the CPG Week hosts discuss how a minor trend like no seed oils might bubble up in 2025 and how it aligns with a growing rancor about ultra-processed foods. 9:00 – The group also predicts a continuation of the M&A activity witnessed in 2024, how potential tariffs and inflation could impact the industry, and why Monica is calling 2025 the Year of Ranch. About CPG Week CPG Week is the podcast that explores the latest happenings in the consumer packaged goods industry. Join our seasoned reporting team as they dish out the week’s stories in quick, easy-to-digest episodes. Catch up on the top headlines of the week, dive into exclusive insights with the BevNET and Nosh teams, and set yourself up to make more informed business decisions. Tune in to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the dynamic world of packaged food and beverage. New episodes are released every week. Send us comments and suggestions anytime to [email protected]. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts

In this episode: The CPG Week team is capping the year with a discussion about BevNET and Nosh Best of 2024 Awards, which were announced during the live events in early December. Senior reporter Lukas Southard reveals a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the selection process and explains why Olipop and Poppi were both celebrated as BevNET’s Brand of the Year. Next, senior reporter Brad Avery points to a few rising stars, including Nguyen Coffee Supply and Barcode. Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous wraps up the conversation with standouts of the Nosh Best of 2024 Awards, including Brand of the Year Good Culture and Best Marketing Campaign award winner Fishwife. Show Highlights: 0:50 – Team Olipop or Team Poppi? Lukas highlights why – for the first time ever – two companies received BevNET’s Brand of the Year designation. 5:00 – Which adult non-alcoholic brands bubbled to the top? Brad and Lukas shine a light on several standouts, including Brez, Recess, Little Saints and Lapos. 9:15 – Brad and Monica examine the parallels between the BevNET Person of the Year and Nosh Person of the Year award winners, respectively, David Crooch of Ritual Beverage Co. and Miguel Garza of Siete Foods. 11:25 – Monica rattles off the winners of Nosh Rising Stars honors and explains why they stood out among a strong slate of nominees. About CPG Week CPG Week is the podcast that explores the latest happenings in the consumer packaged goods industry. Join our seasoned reporting team as they dish out the week’s stories in quick, easy-to-digest episodes. Catch up on the top headlines of the week, dive into exclusive insights with the BevNET and Nosh teams, and set yourself up to make more informed business decisions. Tune in to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the dynamic world of packaged food and beverage. New episodes are released every week. Send us comments and suggestions anytime to [email protected]. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts

In this episode: Fresh off of BevNET Live in Marina del Rey, Calif., the CPG Week podcast team jumps right back into the big M&A stories of the week. Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous walks the group through the Kroger-Albertsons failed merger and the fallout from it. Then, the team goes on to talk about Mondelēz’s second attempt to acquire Hershey. Finally, senior reporter Lukas Southard describes frozen potato product maker Lamb Weston’s recent problems and potential acquisition suitors. NOTE: This episode was recorded before news broke of Post Holdings’ acquisition of Potato Products of Idaho. Show Highlights: 0:30 – The CPG Week team recap their favorite moments from BevNET Live Winter 2024, which wrapped up last week. 4:30 – Find out how the planned merger of Kroger and Albertsons finally fell apart, why it’s not too surprising and what happens now. 9:45 – For the second time, Mondelēz has made an offer to acquire Hershey, and once again the deal has been rejected. Monica explains what has happened so far and why it might not have been such a bad deal for the chocolate maker, which is facing steep cocoa prices. 12:45 – Lukas tells the team about frozen potato food maker Lamb Weston’s struggles with activist investors and a class action lawsuit – and why it is drawing the attention of potential acquirers. About CPG Week CPG Week is the podcast that explores the latest happenings in the consumer packaged goods industry. Join our seasoned reporting team as they dish out the week’s stories in quick, easy-to-digest episodes. Catch up on the top headlines of the week, dive into exclusive insights with the BevNET and Nosh teams, and set yourself up to make more informed business decisions. Tune in to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the dynamic world of packaged food and beverage. New episodes are released every week. Send us comments and suggestions anytime to [email protected]. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts

In this episode: Nosh Live might have wrapped up last Friday in Marina Del Rey, Calif., after multiple days packed with great presentations, lively conversations and amazing networking opportunities. The CPG Week team sat down earlier in the week to chat about all their favorite moments from the two-day event. Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous and senior reporters Brad Avery and Lukas Southard talked about the Pitch Slam, the speakers and the new tattoos some team members got on their day off. Show Highlights: 0:30 – The podcast kicks off with the hosts’ general impressions of the two-day conference including their love of Lexington Bakes brownies, POM Wonderful’s ingredient innovation and tattoos. 4:30 – The group talks about some of the Pitch Slam presentations. They discuss common themes in the brand pitches and some of the feedback founders received from the judges. 9:45 – The team discusses how there was a common theme running through many panels and on-stage content that spoke to platforming as well as when and how to bring innovation to market in a company’s lifecycle. 17:00 – The podcast finishes up with a quick chat about Lukas’ newfound appreciation for Erewhon’s exorbitantly priced smoothies. About CPG Week CPG Week is the podcast that explores the latest happenings in the consumer packaged goods industry. Join our seasoned reporting team as they dish out the week’s stories in quick, easy-to-digest episodes. Catch up on the top headlines of the week, dive into exclusive insights with the BevNET and Nosh teams, and set yourself up to make more informed business decisions. Tune in to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the dynamic world of packaged food and beverage. New episodes are released every week. Send us comments and suggestions anytime to [email protected]. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts

In this episode: It’s that time of year and the red-and-white is not in honor of Santa’s impending sleigh ride around the world. It’s time for BevNET Live and the CPG Week podcast team took some time out of preparing for both Nosh Live and BevNET Live to discuss some of the exciting speakers and panels taking place Dec. 8 and 9 in Marina Del Rey, Calif. Along with respective speaker discussions focused on retailing THC beverages and innovative marketing strategies, the team also talks about buying expensive Erewhon smoothies and getting tattoos. For listeners looking to tune into either Nosh Live or BevNET, both events will be live-streamed online or available on-demand for Insiders. About the CPG Week CPG Week is the podcast that explores the latest happenings in the consumer packaged goods industry. Join our seasoned reporting team as they dish out the week’s stories in quick, easy-to-digest episodes. Catch up on the top headlines of the week, dive into exclusive insights with the BevNET and Nosh teams, and set yourself up to make more informed business decisions. Tune in to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the dynamic world of packaged food and beverage. New episodes are released every week. Send us comments and suggestions anytime to [email protected]. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts

In this episode: On CPG Week, the podcast team talks about Danone’s repeated attempts to acquire kefir brand Lifeway Foods and a pending lawsuit pitting an ice cream brand against its parent company. The podcast begins with a conversation about Pizza Hut, tomato wine and why Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous has a soft spot for the pizza chain’s salad bar. The team goes on to discuss Danone North America’s offers to acquire kefir brand Lifeway Foods and how it relates to the family battle surrounding the company. Then, the hosts discuss a lawsuit filed by Ben & Jerry’s against its owner, Unilever. Show Highlights: 0:30 – The group discusses the potential drinkability of Pizza Hut’s Pizza Wine launch and Brad’s love of banana pepper and pineapple-laden pies. 3:30 – Lukas explains the back-and-forth that has taken place in the last two months between Lifeway Foods and its minority shareholder Danone North America, which has offered two bids to acquire the kefir brand. 5:15 – Brad provides some background on the feud between Lifeway’s controlling family, the Smolyanskys. 7:15 – The team discusses why Lifeway Foods thinks Danone’s offers are undervaluing the probiotic dairy company. (Since recording the episode, Lifeway has rejected the second acquisition offer). 9:00 – Monica describes why Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream is suing its parent company Unilever and how it sets up a fraught conversation over business versus mission in relation to the war in Gaza. About the CPG Week CPG Week is the podcast that explores the latest happenings in the consumer packaged goods industry. Join our seasoned reporting team as they dish out the week’s stories in quick, easy-to-digest episodes. Catch up on the top headlines of the week, dive into exclusive insights with the BevNET and Nosh teams, and set yourself up to make more informed business decisions. Tune in to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the dynamic world of packaged food and beverage. New episodes are released every week. Send us comments and suggestions anytime to [email protected]. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts

In this episode: On CPG Week, the podcast team talks about the impact of Hurricane Helene on North Carolina CPG businesses and a slate of small brands shutting down. Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous and senior reporter Lukas Southard are joined by reporter Adrianne DeLuca this week in a conversation that begins with a look at how businesses are picking up the pieces after hurricane season. Then, the group walks through the most recent CPG business closures before a brief discussion about how inclusive hiring practices can build stronger workforces. Show Highlights: 0:30 – The team talks about what they are excited for as they prepare for BevNET and Nosh Live in less than a month. 2:00 – It’s been about a month and half since Hurricane Helene devastated the southern Appalachia region. Learn how some CPG companies have tried to restart operations and rebuild their businesses after flooding, lack of utilities and downed trees impacted the local economy. 8:45 – Adrianne explains what happened at plant-based meat company No Evil and vertical farming operation Bowery Farms, which both announced they were closing recently. 10:30 – The closures also come as frozen treat maker Marco has shut down operations after a recall at its co-manufacturing facility created too many challenges to overcome. Monica goes on to compare these shutdowns to a recent report from SciFi Foods former founders called Graceful Exit. 13:00 – On a more positive side, Adrianne discusses her story about inclusive hiring practices implemented by some CPG companies. About the CPG Week CPG Week is the podcast that explores the latest happenings in the consumer packaged goods industry. Join our seasoned reporting team as they dish out the week’s stories in quick, easy-to-digest episodes. Catch up on the top headlines of the week, dive into exclusive insights with the BevNET and Nosh teams, and set yourself up to make more informed business decisions. Tune in to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the dynamic world of packaged food and beverage. New episodes are released every week. Send us comments and suggestions anytime to [email protected]. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts