The CPG Guys

The CPG Guys are joined in this episode by Doug Baker, VP of Industry Relations at the Food Marketing Institute. As the food industry association, FMI works with and on behalf of the entire industry to advance a safer, healthier and more efficient consumer food supply. FMI is a champion for the food industry and the issues that make a difference to our members’ fundamental mission of feeding and enriching society. The reach and impact of our work is extensive, ultimately touching the lives of over 100 million households in the United States and representing an $800 billion industry with nearly 6 million employees.Follow Doug Baker on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debaker/                  We ask Doug these questions:How has your deep, hands-on operational background informed your view on where the grocery industry is today regarding its historical struggle with technology adoption?What is the origin story of GroceryLab, and why was Detroit chosen as the backdrop for this launchpad?How will the hands-on, think-tank format of GroceryLab actively help merchants and technologists co-design a 'zero-friction grocery ecosystem'?Yet, you still talk about the friction between bold ideas and execution. With all that money flowing, where is the execution friction happening the most right now in the grocery sectorHow will GroceryLab help bridge this AI divide so retailers and brands can speak the same technological language?How does GroceryLab plan to tackle the practical integration of technology directly into the aisles?How do we move the grocery industry away from legacy paper coupons and pure trade-spend into truly predictive, relevant engagement?GroceryLab is bringing Chief Merchants, COOs, CIOs, CMOs, and Retail Media leaders all into the same room. How do you force these disparate functions to actually co-develop solutions together?How did the early, unfiltered insights from these industry leaders help shape the specific, hard-hitting themes you will be tackling at the Gem Theatre?What actionable insights or blueprints will they have in their hands to prove this was a game-changing investment?Follow FMI on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fmithefoodindustryassociation/Follow FMI online at: https://www.fmi.org/CPG Guys Website: http://CPGguys.comFMCG Guys Website: http://FMCGguys.comSheCOMMERCE Website: https://shecommercepodcast.com/Rhea Raj’s Website: http://rhearaj.comLara Raj in Katseye: https://www.katseye.world/DISCLAIMER: The content in this podcast episode is provided for general informational purposes only. By listening to our episode, you understand that no information contained in this episode should be construed as advice from CPGGUYS, LLC or the individual author, hosts, or guests, nor is it intended to be a substitute for research on any subject matter. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by CPGGUYS, LLC. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.CPGGUYS LLC expressly disclaims any and all liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or other damages arising out of any individual’s use of, reference to, or inability to use this podcast or the information we presented in this podcast. 

Each week, the CPG Guys will riff on the hottest topics in the world of omnichannel commerce. This week’s topics:Dollar General getting new CEOPernod Ricard / Brown-Forman merger talksHenkel buys OlaplexThe perils of AI-generated contentCPG Guys Website: http://CPGguys.comFMCG Guys Website: http://FMCGguys.comSheCOMMERCE Website: https://shecommercepodcast.com/Rhea Raj’s Website: http://rhearaj.comLara Raj in Katseye: https://www.katseye.world/DISCLAIMER: The content in this podcast episode is provided for general informational purposes only. By listening to our episode, you understand that no information contained in this episode should be construed as advice from CPGGUYS, LLC or the individual author, hosts, or guests, nor is it intended to be a substitute for research on any subject matter. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by CPGGUYS, LLC. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.CPGGUYS LLC expressly disclaims any and all liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or other damages arising out of any individual’s use of, reference to, or inability to use this podcast or the information we presented in this podcast. 

The CPG Guys are joined in this episode by Vassili Samolis, Head of Ad Product at DoorDash, one of the world's leading local commerce platforms that helps businesses of all kinds grow and innovate, connects consumers to the best of their neighborhoods, and gives people fast, flexible ways to earn. Follow Vassili on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vassilisamolis/ Follow DoorDash LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/doordash/Follow DoorDash Ads online at: https://advertising.doordash.com/en-us/cpgThis episode is sponsored by DoorDash.Vassili answered these questions:Talk to us about this evolution. How has DoorDash transformed into a platform built for everyday moments—from a weekly grocery shop to flowers for a holiday?How does DoorDash capture that high-intent demand differently than a traditional retailer's dot-com site?How do DoorDash Sponsored placements actually unlock discovery for consumers, helping them find local grocers, fresh food, and everyday products seamlessly?What does the playbook look like for an emerging CPG brand trying to unlock incremental audiences on your platform versus a legacy CPG enterprise?Why do you believe the industry needs to redefine how retail media effectiveness is measured today?Everyone uses the word incrementality, but few actually prove it. How is DoorDash advancing transparent, outcome-based standards to prove that your ads are driving truly incremental revenue for CPG brands?How should brand marketers rethink their ad creative and targeting to align with these specific, occasion-driven everyday moments on DoorDashFast forward three years: how does DoorDash continue to differentiate itself as the winning commerce media platform for CPGs in an increasingly fragmented landscape?CPG Guys Website: http://CPGguys.comFMCG Guys Website: http://FMCGguys.comSheCOMMERCE Website: https://shecommercepodcast.com/Rhea Raj’s Website: http://rhearaj.comLara Raj in Katseye: https://www.katseye.world/DISCLAIMER: The content in this podcast episode is provided for general informational purposes only. By listening to our episode, you understand that no information contained in this episode should be construed as advice from CPGGUYS, LLC or the individual author, hosts, or guests, nor is it intended to be a substitute for research on any subject matter. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by CPGGUYS, LLC. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.CPGGUYS LLC expressly disclaims any and all liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or other damages arising out of any individual’s use of, reference to, or inability to use this podcast or the information we presented in this podcast. 

Each week, the CPG Guys will riff on the hottest topics in the world of omnichannel commerce. This week’s topics:GLP-1McCormick to acquire Unilever Food BrandsLast Mile DeliveryGeneral Mills woesCPG Guys Website: http://CPGguys.comFMCG Guys Website: http://FMCGguys.comSheCOMMERCE Website: https://shecommercepodcast.com/Rhea Raj’s Website: http://rhearaj.comLara Raj in Katseye: https://www.katseye.world/DISCLAIMER: The content in this podcast episode is provided for general informational purposes only. By listening to our episode, you understand that no information contained in this episode should be construed as advice from CPGGUYS, LLC or the individual author, hosts, or guests, nor is it intended to be a substitute for research on any subject matter. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by CPGGUYS, LLC. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.CPGGUYS LLC expressly disclaims any and all liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or other damages arising out of any individual’s use of, reference to, or inability to use this podcast or the information we presented in this podcast. 

The CPG Guys are joined in this episode by David Gottlieb, Chief Revenue officer and Jeff Wrona, VP Product, Image Recognition for FORM, the makers of the award-winning market execution software GoSpotCheck and FORM OpX, and Trax, the industry-recognized global pioneer of Image Recognition, delivering AI-powered shelf-level insights that help brands and retailers improve execution, availability, and growth in the physical store, have merged. Follow David on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dmgottlieb/ Follow Jeff on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gospotcheckjw/Follow FORM online at: https://www.form.com/ This episode is sponsored by FORM.They answer these questions:When you combine Trax’s global reach with FORM’s innovative model training and deployment capabilities, what fundamentally changes for CPG brands on the ground?How does proactively onboarding the most popular SKUs in each region shift Image Recognition from just reactive reporting to a proactive competitive advantage?What does 'agentic AI' realistically look like inside a CPG organization over the next three to five years? Is it hype, or are we looking at an operational revolution? If you were building the modern CPG tech stack from scratch today, what happens when IR data is integrated directly into sales, supply chain, and marketing systems?Could shelf-level data become the fastest leading indicator of these generational behavior changes—even faster than syndicated data?In this margin-compressed world, does flawless in-store execution become the single biggest lever brands still control?How does integrating FORM’s AI-powered image recognition directly with FORM’s mobile task management fundamentally close that gap between identifying a shelf issue and executing a fix right there in the aisle?What unique execution challenges do traditional CPGs face when competing with the speed and emotional connection of these newer brands?How does leveraging AI and granular, SKU-level shelf intelligence help brands manage their physical presence with the same precision and responsiveness as their digital storefronts?If two brands have equal product quality and trade support, does the one with superior IR-driven visibility win every time?CPG Guys Website: http://CPGguys.comFMCG Guys Website: http://FMCGguys.comSheCOMMERCE Website: https://shecommercepodcast.com/Rhea Raj’s Website: http://rhearaj.comLara Raj in Katseye: https://www.katseye.world/DISCLAIMER: The content in this podcast episode is provided for general informational purposes only. By listening to our episode, you understand that no information contained in this episode should be construed as advice from CPGGUYS, LLC or the individual author, hosts, or guests, nor is it intended to be a substitute for research on any subject matter. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by CPGGUYS, LLC. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.CPGGUYS LLC expressly disclaims any and all liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or other damages arising out of any individual’s use of, reference to, or inability to use this podcast or the information we presented in this podcast. 

A fast look at Q1 CPG trends from a CAGNY reality check to shifting priorities from pricing to volume. AI-driven agentic commerce and PXM reshaping product data and negotiations. Walmart’s retail-media surge and the Flywheel 2.0 story. Real-time retail execution, Trax+FORM shelf control, and the rise of social commerce via TikTok Shop. A K-shaped consumer landscape and the emotional wins in Super Bowl ads.

Each week, the CPG Guys will riff on the hottest topics in the world of omnichannel commerce. This week’s topics:McKinsey AI BreachUlta Beauty ResultsTarget price reductionsKroger Growth PrioritiesCPG Guys Website: http://CPGguys.comFMCG Guys Website: http://FMCGguys.comSheCOMMERCE Website: https://shecommercepodcast.com/Rhea Raj’s Website: http://rhearaj.comLara Raj in Katseye: https://www.katseye.world/DISCLAIMER: The content in this podcast episode is provided for general informational purposes only. By listening to our episode, you understand that no information contained in this episode should be construed as advice from CPGGUYS, LLC or the individual author, hosts, or guests, nor is it intended to be a substitute for research on any subject matter. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by CPGGUYS, LLC. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.CPGGUYS LLC expressly disclaims any and all liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or other damages arising out of any individual’s use of, reference to, or inability to use this podcast or the information we presented in this podcast. 

The CPG Guys are joined in this episode by Oksana Sobol, Vice President of Insights & Decision Intelligence at The Clorox Company, Follow Oksana on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oksanasobol/Follow The Clorox Company online at: https://www.thecloroxcompany.com/Download the white paper on "Home Care Redefined" here: https://www.thecloroxcompany.com/home-care-redefined/Oksana answers these questions:The report shows emotional outcomes from cleaning are up 13 points since 2016 — how did that finding land internally at Clorox, and how does it change the way you brief brand and innovation teams?How should CPG brands be thinking about product placement, pack size, and on-shelf adjacencies to meet consumers where they actually clean — rather than where we assumed they did?31% of consumers think their products are disinfecting when they’re not. Where does the responsibility sit — on the brand, the retailer, or the shopper marketing ecosystem — to close that gap?The report highlights Gen Z rebranding chores through cultural frameworks like “Giving the Dishes a Bath” and #CleanTok. How is Clorox thinking about reaching this cohort?How are sensory experiences becoming a legitimate product development and marketing discipline at Clorox, and do you see this creating new shelf segmentation opportunities at retail?How do you help retailers and their buyers understand that this isn’t cannibalization, it’s a category expansion opportunity?Given that laundry dissatisfaction skews toward younger and multicultural households, what does a winning insights-to-innovation pipeline look like for that category?Pet owners use ~21 cleaning products and clean floors more frequently, yet most don’t buy separate laundry products for pet-related loads. How big is the unmet need here commercially, and is the challenge one of product innovation, consumer education, or retail shelf organization?How does Clorox use insights to make portfolio and price-pack architecture decisions that serve both ends of that spectrum without diluting brand equity?As VP of Decision Intelligence alongside Insights, how are you thinking about where AI accelerates your work versus where human closeness to the consumer remains irreplaceable?CPG Guys Website: http://CPGguys.comFMCG Guys Website: http://FMCGguys.comSheCOMMERCE Website: https://shecommercepodcast.com/Rhea Raj’s Website: http://rhearaj.comLara Raj in Katseye: https://www.katseye.world/DISCLAIMER: The content in this podcast episode is provided for general informational purposes only. By listening to our episode, you understand that no information contained in this episode should be construed as advice from CPGGUYS, LLC or the individual author, hosts, or guests, nor is it intended to be a substitute for research on any subject matter. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by CPGGUYS, LLC. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.CPGGUYS LLC expressly disclaims any and all liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or other damages arising out of any individual’s use of, reference to, or inability to use this podcast or the information we presented in this podcast. 

Each week, the CPG Guys will riff on the hottest topics in the world of omnichannel commerce. This week’s topics:Kroger's new CEOMilen Mahadevan named Chief Data & AI Officer at KrogerTarget's new strategyCostco pursues tariff refundsCPG Guys Website: http://CPGguys.comFMCG Guys Website: http://FMCGguys.comSheCOMMERCE Website: https://shecommercepodcast.com/Rhea Raj’s Website: http://rhearaj.comLara Raj in Katseye: https://www.katseye.world/DISCLAIMER: The content in this podcast episode is provided for general informational purposes only. By listening to our episode, you understand that no information contained in this episode should be construed as advice from CPGGUYS, LLC or the individual author, hosts, or guests, nor is it intended to be a substitute for research on any subject matter. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by CPGGUYS, LLC. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.CPGGUYS LLC expressly disclaims any and all liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or other damages arising out of any individual’s use of, reference to, or inability to use this podcast or the information we presented in this podcast. 

The CPG Guys are joined in this episode by Particia Corsi, Chief Growth Officer & Craig Slavtcheff, Chief R&D Officer at Kimberly-Clark, manufacturer of trusted brands that are an indispensable part of life for people in more than 175 countries and territories. The portfolio of brands, including Huggies, Kleenex, Scott, Kotex, Cottonelle, Poise, Depend, Andrex, Pull-Ups, Goodnites, Intimus, Plenitud, Sweety, Softex, Viva and WypAll, hold No. 1 or No. 2 share positions in approximately 70 countries. Our company's purpose is to deliver Better Care for a Better World. Follow Patricia on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patriciacorsi/Follow Craig on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-stephen-slavtcheff-7115455/Follow Kimberly-Clark online at: https://www.kimberly-clark.com/en-us/They answer these questions;Under the 'Powering Care' strategy, you talk about the need to 'out-innovate, out-market, and out-activate' together. Practically speaking, how have you re-wired your teams to work in lockstep? Does R&D sit in on the creative briefings now?How do you engineer that kind of premium performance into a value-tier product without breaking the margin structure? That seems like an R&D magic trick.Can you give us an example of a product that worked in one market that you rapidly adapted and deployed to another? How are you customizing for local needs without losing the efficiency of a global chassis?How do you balance the functional 'science' that Craig’s team builds with the 'brand love' you need to build? Can you talk about the creative strategy behind your recent Cannes wins and how that translates to actual market share gains?How is Kimberly-Clark 'breaking through the noise' right now? Is it about being more provocative with the creative, or is it about being more precise with the targeting?You’ve just wrapped year two of the 'Powering Care' transformation—the largest in the company’s 154-year history. And now, you have the Kenvue deal on the horizon later this year. When you look at the combined potential of these portfolios, how does your mission to 'raise the standard of care' evolve? What does the next 12 months look like for your respective organizations?Craig, talk to us about one favorite innovation you’ve launched in the last year & one consumer trend that is keeping you up at night?What is the one thing you want the retail partners listening to this to know about Kimberly-Clark’s plans for 2026?CPG Guys Website: http://CPGguys.comFMCG Guys Website: http://FMCGguys.comSheCOMMERCE Website: https://shecommercepodcast.com/Rhea Raj’s Website: http://rhearaj.comLara Raj in Katseye: https://www.katseye.world/DISCLAIMER: The content in this podcast episode is provided for general informational purposes only. By listening to our episode, you understand that no information contained in this episode should be construed as advice from CPGGUYS, LLC or the individual author, hosts, or guests, nor is it intended to be a substitute for research on any subject matter. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by CPGGUYS, LLC. The views expressed by guests are their ownCPGGUYS LLC expressly disclaims any and all liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or other damages arising out of any individual’s use of, reference to, or inability to use this podcast or the information we presented in this podcast.