The CPG Guys

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. 

The CPG Guys are joined in this episode by Dr. Jeffrey Hendrix D.B.A., Chief Customer officer at Bimbo Bakeries USA, part of Grupo Bimbo, the world’s largest baking company with operations in 35 countries. Bimbo Bakeries USA employs 22,000 associates across the Country in bakeries, sales centers, corporate offices and on sales routes to ensure our consumers have the freshest products to feed their families at every meal.Follow Jeff on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hendrixj/Follow Bimbo Bakeries USA online at: https://www.bimbobakeriesusa.com/Jeff answers these questions:As Chief Customer Officer at Bimbo Bakeries USA, how are you evolving the customer organization to drive both topline growth and profitability in today’s omnichannel retail environment? With your background bridging commercial and supply chain, how are you using customer transaction and POS data to reduce out of stocks and improve execution at the shelf? Retail media can create immediate lift but also real risk. How do you think about governance and readiness before committing trade dollars to retailer media platforms? When digital demand moves faster than replenishment systems, where do you see the biggest execution breakdowns today? What customer and supplier data signals matter most to closing the loop between demand creation and shelf availability?The industry is shifting from joint business planning to joint value creation. How does that show up in day-to-day decisions, not just quarterly plans?Beyond revenue and share, what KPIs best reflect whether marketing, sales, and supply are truly working together? As AI and automation become more embedded, where should algorithms guide decisions and where must frontline judgment remain essential? What are the hardest organizational barriers to making convergence real: systems, incentives, or culture? Looking ahead, what capabilities will separate companies that can compress the response cycle from those that cannot?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:Walmart settles with FTCConsumers prioritize proteinTariff refundsGrocery pricesCPG 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. 

Nik Modi, Co-Head of Global Consumer & Retail Research at RBC Capital Markets, offers investor-focused perspective on retail and consumer trends. He dissects CAGNY takeaways in short, punchy conversations. Topics include pricing dynamics, AI adoption, build versus buy for capabilities, GLP-1 impacts, and strategic moves by big CPG players like Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and Kraft Heinz.

Each week, the CPG Guys will riff on the hottest topics in the world of omnichannel commerce. This week’s topics:CAGNY RecapBath & Body WorksWalmart Connect Q4 resultsWalgreens LayoffsCPG 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 rapid recap of CAGNY 2026 highlights across major CPG firms. They walk through a seven‑point scoring framework and call out top and underperforming presentations. Coverage hits AI, omnichannel, RGM, organic volume, M&A, and clean‑room/data plays. Notable company takes include P&G, Coca‑Cola, L'Oreal, Elf Beauty, Kraft Heinz, Colgate and Utz.

The CPG Guys are joined in this episode by Joshua Gebhardt CEO & Co-Founder and Brandon Nutter, CTO & Co-Founder of Ampd which connects paid social campaigns to actual sales at retailers, unlocking new, full-funnel targeting capabilities for brands that want to scale CPG sales from Meta and TikTok ads.Follow Joshua Gebhardt on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuagebhardt/Follow Brandon Nutter on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandonnutter/ Follow Ampd on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ampd-ads/ Follow Ampd online here: https://www.ampd.io/This episode is sponsored by Ampd.We ask Joshua & Brandon these questions:What exactly does Ampd exist to do, and why did you and Brandon set off on this journey as co-founders?Where do you see the media world most ripe for disruption? Where are the biggest "old problems" waiting for new solutions?When you look at paid social today, what are some things brands’ competitors are doing that should honestly trigger a little FOMO for anyone not keeping up?You’ve said discovery and commerce engines are fundamentally disconnected—how did we end up here, and why is that such a big problem for CPG brands?Shopper Journey, and touch on a topic that I know energizes you. “Where to Buy” used to be the standard—why doesn’t it work anymore in a social-first, mobile-first world?You talk about brands needing to “move at the speed of culture.” What breaks down when teams can’t optimize paid social in-flight?How does a one-click shopper journey change conversion behavior compared to traditional paths to purchase?Can you share the details of that creative split-test you ran for one of the world’s leading CPG portfolios?You’ve built a Next Gen MMM specifically for offsite traffic to Amazon—why is that so important, and what did the beverage brand learn when Meta showed an 8x sales contribution in their ad console?How do you address fair and equitable requirements without limiting growth or causing massive headaches for operators?For CPG leaders who feel like paid social isn’t delivering retail results, what’s the first step they should take—and how can Ampd help?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.