Spoiler Alert

03/06/2024

Check out how Kimberly Jones, Director of Sales and Purchasing at , is making an impact on . ⬇️

Natural Choice Foods purchases bulk food items that were slightly over-produced or under-sold at discounted prices, perform quality inspections, repackage them into smaller portions, and distribute them to food deserts and outlets. This process enables customers to have affordable and easy access to more meals.

In terms of other organizations that address food access, Kimberly shouted us out: " helps food and manufacturers reduce via their online discounted sales platform. Much of the product sold through their platform goes to retailers that operate in underserved communities. I have been impressed with their vision, drive, and ability to enact change with food suppliers."

Looking to make an impact yourself? Kimberly recommends "visiting your local food outlet or discount grocer. These products are the same products you see in other stores, just with a little shorter shelf-life. These stores are slowly going out of business and they often service customers in ."

Her innovative ideas have saved millions of pounds of food from going into landfills, underscoring her commitment to and responsible business practices.

As Kimberely shares - never settle for how things have always been!

Read the entire feature:

An Interview With Martita Mestey

03/05/2024

Managing inventory can be a tricky task and one with detrimental impacts to the and bottom lines when not handled efficiently.

"Optimizing food is not just a cost-saving measure, it's a strategic move that impacts inventory accuracy, carrying costs and product quality. It is an essential aspect of sustainable and profitable business operations in the and industry."

Food Engineering Magazine shares some techniques to minimize :

1️⃣ FIFO
The First-In, First-Out technique prioritizes selling oldest inventory first to maintain product freshness.

2️⃣ Demand Forecasting
By leveraging data and analytics to predict future consumer trends, companies can plan ahead and reduce the likelihood of overstocks or stockouts.

3️⃣ Monitoring Shelf Life & Expiry Dates
Tracking expiration dates is crucial for companies to ensure they're providing fresh products to their customers and limiting the amount of product going to .

4️⃣ Regular Inventory Audits
Performing regular audits mitigate discrepancies and shrinkage while saving time and resources.

"Implementing these techniques can lead to more accurate inventory levels, reduced waste and improved order fulfillment. These benefits translate to happier customers, a healthier planet and a more profitable business."

And while is inevitable, 🍏 is your solution to the slow-moving and obsolete inventory.

Read the full article:

02/26/2024

As shoppers continue to look for value, more are turning to dollar and club stores to stretch their dollar further. In response, brands like Unilever and Kraft Heinz are adapting to meet their customers where they shop, with Kraft Heinz increasing product distribution in by 10% this year.

"These widespread changes are rooted in need and practicality, rather than in desire and indulgence. and need to adjust to this new behavior in order to create another shift in the consumer’s spending priorities," shares Marshal Cohen, Chief Retail Industry Advisor at Circana.

To better understand the performance of discount and dollar retailers, check out our latest discount retail market report:
https://spoiler-alert.shp.so/l/kt5mGm

As many companies ramp up product innovation in 2024, some of the largest manufacturers recently detailed what they’re seeing about consumer behavior and how they’re adapting. Here's a snapshot.

02/22/2024

Unlocking the potential of discount retail presents a golden opportunity for brands to slash financial losses and minimize linked to . With discount shoppers citing 'availability issues' as their top frustration, tapping into this market is key.

Our latest in-depth report provides a deep dive into the performance metrics of major US retailers. Gain crucial insights into their gross margin dynamics, store expansion strategies, and overarching market trends to stay ahead of the game.

Take it from John Swygert, Ollie's President & CEO: "The deal flow is very strong. are creating new and innovative products, changing packaging and sizes, and competing for shelf space, which is creating more closeout opportunities."

Download the report:
https://spoiler-alert.shp.so/l/ao3Z2Q

02/20/2024

Did you know that 81% of consumers are shopping at a or dollar store at least once a month? Our latest report analyzes the performance of 5 publicly traded discount retailers: TJX, ROSS, Grocery Outlet, Ollie's, and Big Lots.

In Q3 of 2023 the industry experienced remarkable growth and significant shifts, and we've gathered all the insights you need to stay ahead of the game - from store openings and leadership changes to comparable store sales and how the next generation of consumers are shopping.

"Our business model offers shoppers both value and convenience, and we believe consumers’ heightened focus on these important factors bodes well for us for the foreseeable future,” shared Barbara Rentler, CEO at ROSS.

Download the report:
https://spoiler-alert.shp.so/l/JSBMCm

02/20/2024

"Deliberate overstocks lead to financial and environmental and excess inventories clog up warehouses and production schedules, reducing agility. A better resilience approach is to make yourself as agile and able to respond to changing circumstances as possible and use contingency stocks judiciously."

Read more about how digital tools can help optimize inventories to build a resilient :

Digital tools in the right hands and used in the right way can significantly help optimize inventories and the building of a resilient supply chain.

02/14/2024

In order to streamline processes, Mike Sloboda from our friends over at Danone North America shares 3 tips that manufacturers can use to better serve retailers ⬇️

1️⃣ Create a service-first mindset:
"Weaving into these conversations not only removes complexity but also builds trust. Furthermore, it cultivates a culture of , as teams strive to create solutions that truly resonate with their partners, fostering a dynamic and responsive partnership."

2️⃣. Establish clear communication channels:
"It sounds simple, but many overlook the power of smaller, more frequent communications on items such as levels, order status and disruptions."

3️⃣ Break down silos:
"Regular reviews and adjustments to adapt to changing circumstances are necessary and encourage a sense of ownership among team members, fostering commitment and accountability."

Read more on Food Logistics:

Here are three actionable tips food logistics and supply chain professionals can implement to enhance and streamline their supply chain processes.

02/13/2024

Did you know that 80% of consumers are altering their shopping habits due to economic shifts? As dollar stores continue to attract a broader audience, they're responding by investing in expanded product assortment, merchandising, marketing, and .

While and stores once catered primarily to households with annual incomes of $30,000 to $60,000, they are now experiencing a significant consumer base of those with household incomes of $220,000 and under, as consumers continue to trade down.

"Essentials such as bread and milk are primary traffic drivers, which inspires consumers to visit several times a week and have helped dollar stores tackle declining store visit rates. Integrating non-essential and higher-price point categories into their assortment allows these retailers to better engage and serve customers while they’re in stores."

As dollar stores redefine their role in the retail landscape, it's imperative for brands to stay attuned to these transformative trends.

Continue reading:

Dollar stores have adapted to keep pace with the needs of evolving consumer behaviors by expending their assortments and creating sophisticated mobile apps.

02/12/2024

41% of respondents acknowledge the importance of strategy and operations in driving an agenda. However, only 32% report accurately measuring ESG impact of digital investments in the supply chain, found PwC 2023 Digital Trends in Supply Chain Survey.

In fact, here at Spoiler Alert, we found a similar trend: only 36% of those managing programs link their efforts with their sustainability or ESG programs. While and excess inventory programs are typically a supply chain- and sales operations-led effort, coordinating with sustainability teams can yield numerous benefits.

“If you want to make substantial improvements against your ESG or goals, there’s no way to do it without supply chain playing a key role in that,” shares Michael Whitman, principal and operations transformation technology sector leader at PwC US.

Read more:

Retail and CPG execs discuss investments, collaborations at Manifest conference

02/09/2024

Frozen foods continue to grow in popularity, with 80% of Americans having frozen food at least once a week, with most consuming about 4x / week.

Conagra Brandsnds, Circana, and NielsenIQ identified 5 trends in the department:

❄️ An increase in flavors and cuisines
❄️ Frozen foods are rising and shining at
❄️ Bite size portions as snacks and healthier options
❄️ Convenient kids meals to help reduce and control budgets
❄️ The air fryer's influence on prep

To discover how brands can embrace the growing demand for frozen products, check out our blog "From convenience to : the growing popularity of frozen foods for CPG manufacturers"

Read now: https://spoiler-alert.shp.so/l/5tn7QP

A new report from Conagra reveals the impact broader trends in flavor and appliance usage are having on the category.

02/07/2024

40% of and retail leaders are prioritizing efficient supply chains, and 35% plan to invest significantly in resilience.

The current economic environment is changing business strategies and has shifted the focus from cost to value, "Brands and retailers will look to make smart, strategic investments in areas where value is created," shares Kathy Gramling, EY Americas Consumer Industry Markets Leader.

Read more:

Leaders are looking to tech to help weather the economic storm in 2024, according to a new EY pulse survey. Key areas of investment include digital, end-to-end supply chain capabilities, machine learning, and AI co-pilots.

02/06/2024

Exciting opportunity for those interested in food systems! Littlefoot Ventures, a leading and food systems consultancy, invites you to experience a new initiative aimed at revolutionizing funding opportunities for food-focused nonprofits working to create positive change in the food, agriculture, public health, and/or nutrition sectors.

Littlefoot's Climate Message Mastery for Food Nonprofits course provides fundraising teams with the essential skills needed to craft compelling funding proposals that resonate with climate-focused donors, allowing nonprofits to tap into crucial new funding.

Save valuable time, money, and resources developing funder relationships that will yield tangible results and help you meet your 2024 fundraising goals in H1.

📧 Email [email protected] to learn more
➡ Secure your spot for the March cohort here: https://spoiler-alert.shp.so/l/wpfRNR

Empowering businesses and foundations to future-proof our food system. Strategy Development, Philanthropic Advising, Stakeholder Engagement.