Podcast
Kantar Retail Sound Bites
Hosted by Kantar Retail · EN
Kantar Retail Sound Bites podcast series provides a provocative view of global retail trends, business issues, and other shopper and retail related news.
18episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Episode 104: TikTok's role in commerce with Jordan Kremm and Steve Light of L&R Distributors
2w ago00:54:39Tap to summarizeWhat if TikTok matters to your business more than Amazon? On the latest Retail Sound Bites, we explore why TikTok has become one of the most powerful demand engines retail has ever seen. Featuring Jordan Kremm and Steve Light of L&R Distributors, this episode breaks down how TikTok Shop is reshaping product discovery across generations, why brands are launching on TikTok first, then scaling to retail, how viral moments translate into real, measurable in-store sales, and where most brands are getting TikTok wrong. Have a topic you'd like us to cover? Contact us at Kantar's Retail Sound Bites Podcast. Contact Barry: Email | LinkedIn Contact Rachel: Email | LinkedIn
Transcribe →Episode 103: Top trends from NACDS with Leigh O'Donnell
4w ago00:43:55Tap to summarizeWhat did NACDS really reveal this year? In this Retail Sound Bites episode, Rachel Dalton, Leigh O'Donnell, and Barry Thomas share their candid take on the trends, tensions, and leadership moments shaping drug retail right now. In this conversation, Rachel Dalton, Leigh O'Donnell, and Barry Thomas look beyond the conference agenda to unpack what NACDS really revealed about the state of drug retail. From the implications of GLP‑1 to how retailers are approaching AI adoption, the role of food as medicine, and the push toward more personalized treatment and experiences for shoppers, the discussion connects macro themes to on‑the‑ground reality. Want more learnings from NACDS 2026? Access NACDS 2026: Kantar's top 8 retail healthcare headlines. Have a topic you'd like us to cover? Contact us at Kantar's Retail Sound Bites Podcast. Contact Barry: Email | LinkedIn Contact Rachel: Email | LinkedIn
Transcribe →Episode 102: Minds on the Machine with Andy Murray
Apr 801:03:39Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Retail Sound Bites, Barry Thomas and Rachel Dalton welcome back Andy Murray, former Executive Chairman of Saatchi & Saatchi X and CEO of BigQuest Advisory, to discuss the future of AI through the lens of original research titled Minds on the Machine. Based on insights from graduating seniors at the University of Arkansas' Walton College of Business, the conversation reveals a strong theme of pragmatic optimism. While students recognize AI's growing role across industries, they are deeply focused on preserving human judgment, creativity, and connection. Andy explains why taste and judgment remain the true human advantage as AI becomes more efficient yet increasingly homogeneous. The episode explores agentic AI, the future of marketing and commerce, and why brands and retailers must invest not only in technology, but equally in developing human capabilities to thrive in an AI‑enabled world. Have a topic you'd like us to cover? Contact us at Kantar's Retail Sound Bites Podcast. Contact Barry: Email | LinkedIn Contact Rachel: Email | LinkedIn
Transcribe →Episode 101: European buying groups with Paida Mugudubi
Mar 1100:48:06Tap to summarizeRetail buying groups are reshaping the balance of power in Europe's grocery landscape. In this episode of Retail Sound Bites, Barry Thomas and Rachel Dalton are joined by Paida Mugudubi to unpack how buying groups work, why they've grown so influential across Europe, and what they mean for brands navigating pricing, negotiations, private label, and retail media in a world where "nothing stays local." Have a topic you'd like us to cover? Contact us at Kantar's Retail Sound Bites Podcast. Contact Barry: Email | LinkedIn Contact Rachel: Email | LinkedIn
Transcribe →Episode 100: The Retail Reset - 100 Sound Bites Later
Feb 2600:45:26Tap to summarizeRetail Sound Bites marks a major milestone with its 100th episode, celebrating four years of conversations at the intersection of retail, CPG, and commerce transformation. Hosts Barry Thomas and Rachel Dalton kick off the episode by reflecting on the journey so far and spotlighting the top 10 most‑listened‑to episodes from the past four years. The episode also features Ted Riedel, President of Kantar's North American Retail Practice, and James May, EVP of CPG & Hospitality. In a fast‑paced, candid conversation, they explore: · How modern health, GLP‑1s, and protein‑led innovation are reshaping portfolios · Why agentic commerce, AI, and algorithmic decision‑making are the next frontier · The evolving, often fractured but interdependent relationship between brands and retailers · Which KPIs matter less today and why incrementality, precision, and proprietary data matter more · What it really takes to future‑proof a CPG organization in 2026 and beyond Have a topic you'd like us to cover? Contact us at Kantar's Retail Sound Bites Podcast. Contact Barry: Email | LinkedIn Contact Rachel: Email | LinkedIn ·
Transcribe →Episode 99: 2026 Food and Beverage Trends with Brian Choi of The Food Institute
Feb 500:56:07Tap to summarizeWhat will value really mean for food and beverage in 2026? On the latest episode of Retail Sound Bites, Barry Thomas and Rachel Dalton sit down with Brian Choi, CEO of The Food Institute, to unpack the forces reshaping the industry, including deeply value‑obsessed consumer to the rise of challenger brands and experience‑led innovation. 🎙️ Key takeaways from the conversation: Consumer confidence remains historically low, forcing brands to clearly justify price through either affordability or unmistakable quality Gen Z, Gen Alpha, and older shoppers are fragmenting demand, making one‑size‑fits‑all strategies obsolete Premiumization isn't disappearing, but it's migrating to value‑oriented retailers like Walmart and Costco 2026 is shaping up to be the Year of the Challenger Brand, with speed, authenticity, and flavor‑forward innovation winning Health, policy pressure, and global flavors are converging to redefine what "winning" products look like If you're leading strategy in CPG, retail, or food service, this episode is a must‑listen. Have a topic you'd like us to cover? Contact us at Kantar's Retail Sound Bites Podcast. Contact Barry: Email | LinkedIn Contact Rachel: Email | LinkedIn
Transcribe →Episode 98: National Retail Federation 2026: Retail's Big Show
Jan 2201:02:02Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Retail Sound Bites, Barry and Rachel are joined by Amar Singh and David Marcotte for a rapid‑fire download on everything we saw, heard, and learned at NRF 2026: Retail's Big Show. From global tech innovation to the rise of agentic commerce, frictionless checkout, robotics, synthetic data, and the power of creators, this episode is packed with the signals shaping the next era of retail. 🎧 Highlights include: • Why data is king and trust is the new currency in AI‑powered retail • Emerging global tech players redefining innovation • RFID's leap into frictionless checkout + storewide intelligence • What Lowe's, Walmart, Google, and Ralph Lauren are doing to accelerate AI adoption • The growing influence of creators, community, and under‑priced attention Listen in for the trends that matter and what they mean for retailers, brands, and the future of commerce. Have a topic you'd like us to cover? Contact us at Kantar's Retail Sound Bites Podcast. Contact Barry: Email | LinkedIn Contact Rachel: Email | LinkedIn
Transcribe →Episode 97: PoweRanking® 2025 - The Relevance Reset
Dec 1100:56:43Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Retail Sound Bites, Jeff Maloy, vice president of retail, sales, and shopper, and Rohan Mazumdar, vice president of retail consulting, at Kantar, join hosts Rachel Dalton and Barry Thomas in a discussion about this year's PoweRanking® findings. Kantar's PoweRanking® report is the industry's leading assessment of best-in-class manufacturers and retailers. In an annual survey, companies are ranked on a range of factors, from strategic metrics to business fundamentals, capturing input from several key industry leaders. This year's report found that in a year defined by market fluctuation and growth challenges, "relevance" is key to joint retailer and manufacturer growth. View the executive summary to understand how to win the relevance battle and learn strategic imperatives for 2026 and beyond. Exclusive | NYC's Meadow Lane gourmet grocery debuts amid affordability crisis | New York Post First Walmart-branded store opens in Africa | Chain Store Age The AI trifecta transforming CPG and retail https://www.retaildive.com/news/winners-losers-black-friday-2025/806610/ https://news.adobe.com/news/2025/12/adobe-cyber-monday-hits-record
Transcribe →Episode 96: Activating insights for commercial teams with Anna Estlund
Nov 1200:53:07Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Retail Sound Bites, Rachel Dalton and Anna Estlund, VP of strategy, insights, and analytics at Pernod Ricard, discuss five critical steps to turn insights into real-time activation for commercial teams. They also discuss the blurring boundaries between alcohol and non-alcohol categories, the rise of modern health and moderation trends, premiumization despite economic headwinds, and more. Have a topic you'd like us to cover? Contact us at Kantar's Retail Sound Bites Podcast. Contact Barry: Email | LinkedIn Contact Rachel: Email | LinkedIn https://kriq.kantarretailiq.com/en/p-iq/insights/blogs/top-10-lessons-from-the-create-2025-restaurant-show The 2025 Retail Intelligence Report | Progressive Grocer https://www.grocerydive.com/news/amazon-whole-foods-store-within-store-automated-micro-fulfillment/804749/ https://www.businessinsider.com/tiktok-shop-exec-ai-is-powerful-tool-for-ecommerce-fraud-2025-11 https://www.modernretail.co/technology/walmart-adds-ai-generated-audio-summaries-to-select-product-pages/
Transcribe →Episode 95: The future of convenience and category management with Bala Gurumoorthy
Oct 2900:48:58Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Rachel Dalton and Barry Thomas sit down with Bala Gurumoorthy, VP of Category Management at Ferrero USA, to discuss the evolving landscape of convenience retail and the future of category management. Together, they uncover fantastic insights from the recent NACS event, Ferrero's approach to omnichannel strategy, and how category management is transforming from a back-office function to a true growth driver. A few of our favorite insights from Bala: "Category management is evolving from back office to growth architect." "Don't just report the news—create the news." "Be bold. Stay current. Stay externally focused." Have a topic you'd like us to cover? Contact us at Kantar's Retail Sound Bites Podcast. Contact Barry: Email | LinkedIn Contact Rachel: Email | LinkedIn https://www.retaildive.com/news/retail-ai-chatbot-consumers/803573/ Dollar Tree enhances multi-price strategy with AI Playbook: 5 Shopper Missions Every Category Manager Should Be Watching | Path to Purchase Institute https://www.retaildive.com/news/retail-ai-chatbot-consumers/803573/ https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/21/wawa-stealing-customers-from-wendys-burger-king-starbucks.html https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/26/style/nordstrom-catalog.html
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