This Is Not Your Hobby Episode 14: Decode Scan Data To Make Better Wholesale Decisions
Mar 17, 2026
26:10
Scan data gets thrown around in beverage like everyone’s supposed to already know what it is. In this episode, Julie breaks it down in plain English for beginners: what scan data actually measures, why it matters for chain business (and beyond), and how to use big-picture consumer trends without blindly copying what the “national data” says. The point isn’t to become a data analyst— it’s to make smarter decisions locally using the clearest signal we have of what people are actually buying.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
- What scan data is (and what it isn’t): the difference between what you shipped, what depleted, and what consumers actually bought
- Why scan data matters for chain retail — and why it also matters even if you’re not in chain
- How scan data helps you track macro consumer trends and translate them into hyper-local decisions
- The core scan concepts beginners need to understand (velocity, baseline vs promo, distribution, in-stocks context)
- How to use data as a tool for better decisions — not just a bunch of numbers you stare at
- Why data should support a bigger brand story, not replace it
Best For:
Beverage brands who sell their liquid wholesale, or who eventually plan to.
Mentioned in this episode:
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