Comments for SymphonyIRI Group CPG Blog http://blog.symphonyiri.com CPG Blog Tue, 24 Apr 2012 18:55:10 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Comment on Redefining the Next Decade of Consumer and Retail Analytics by Mark Eastwood http://blog.symphonyiri.com/2012/04/02/redefining-the-next-decade-of-consumer-and-retail-analytics/#comment-1351 Mark Eastwood Tue, 24 Apr 2012 18:55:10 +0000 http://blog.symphonyiri.com/?p=817#comment-1351 Robert, It’s exciting news to hear that we're working towards defining new analytics to additional value to the CPG industry. I’ve seen research into the kinds of things that people purchase at the same time that leads to strategies for bridging people from purchase of product A to purchase of product C which might be new volume or better margin volume. I can imagine a potential optimization (at the store level) for end-caps, FSI, at the store advertising that would seek to increase volume (generally) or increase volume in better margin products. Separate from price optimization might be assortment optimization together with optimizing when and where items were merchandised in the store. I’ve also seen research in the use of surveillance cameras that allows analysis of movement patters within the store. This might then influence merchandising strategies. Could this data be used to classify types of shopping trips (anonymously) separately from NCP data? Could this lead to store-level layout and merchandising strategies? Can having market measurement data at the store level lead to assistance with replenishment strategies that balanced shelf-space with minimum back-room storage and minimum out-of-stock conditions? All of this should lead to interesting collaborations between manufacturers and retailers. Exciting times! Robert,
It’s exciting news to hear that we’re working towards defining new analytics to additional value to the CPG industry. I’ve seen research into the kinds of things that people purchase at the same time that leads to strategies for bridging people from purchase of product A to purchase of product C which might be new volume or better margin volume. I can imagine a potential optimization (at the store level) for end-caps, FSI, at the store advertising that would seek to increase volume (generally) or increase volume in better margin products.
Separate from price optimization might be assortment optimization together with optimizing when and where items were merchandised in the store.
I’ve also seen research in the use of surveillance cameras that allows analysis of movement patters within the store. This might then influence merchandising strategies. Could this data be used to classify types of shopping trips (anonymously) separately from NCP data? Could this lead to store-level layout and merchandising strategies? Can having market measurement data at the store level lead to assistance with replenishment strategies that balanced shelf-space with minimum back-room storage and minimum out-of-stock conditions?
All of this should lead to interesting collaborations between manufacturers and retailers.
Exciting times!

]]> Comment on The Beauty of Online CPG Shopping by Srishti Gupta http://blog.symphonyiri.com/2012/03/13/t/#comment-1319 Srishti Gupta Thu, 22 Mar 2012 02:42:37 +0000 http://blog.symphonyiri.com/?p=799#comment-1319 Stephanie, In response to your questions: In some situations (especially during the peak winter months for example), consumers that would typically purchase in the store are likely to complement with some amount of online purchase. Routine purchases are more common. It is also the recurring nature as mentioned in the comments above. I buy a particular brand of oatmeal every 90 days and really dont need to go to the store for that. I have set it up to be delievered automatically every 90 days and that is one less thing to remember! Stephanie,

In response to your questions:

In some situations (especially during the peak winter months for example), consumers that would typically purchase in the store are likely to complement with some amount of online purchase.

Routine purchases are more common. It is also the recurring nature as mentioned in the comments above. I buy a particular brand of oatmeal every 90 days and really dont need to go to the store for that. I have set it up to be delievered automatically every 90 days and that is one less thing to remember!

]]> Comment on The Beauty of Online CPG Shopping by Mark Eastwood http://blog.symphonyiri.com/2012/03/13/t/#comment-1313 Mark Eastwood Wed, 14 Mar 2012 19:49:07 +0000 http://blog.symphonyiri.com/?p=799#comment-1313 I think if I lived in some place like Napa I'd do exactly like Maureen and turn to online shopping as a way to save both time and money. Because I live in a very different location where shopping, particularly CPG shopping is easy its less of a benefit. I notice that Maureen calls "two-day shipping" immediate, that's a matter of perspectice. It is fast, but in this world of instant gratification many people do still place a premium value on "now." I for one don't usualyl mind waiting a couple of days for shipping and usually purchase the same product that I'd purchase in a tradition store. I do my comparison shopping and make a decision using the internet and then decide how to acquire it (online or in a store). In response to Stephanie, for my house its routine purchases that are made online. We still want to see and try a new beauty product in person. That said, I've purchased shoes and belts and shirts online with excellent results. I recall returning shoes once that didn't work out, but everything else has been great. I favor Johnston and Murphy shoes anf there are few stores in my city. I think if I lived in some place like Napa I’d do exactly like Maureen and turn to online shopping as a way to save both time and money. Because I live in a very different location where shopping, particularly CPG shopping is easy its less of a benefit. I notice that Maureen calls “two-day shipping” immediate, that’s a matter of perspectice. It is fast, but in this world of instant gratification many people do still place a premium value on “now.”

I for one don’t usualyl mind waiting a couple of days for shipping and usually purchase the same product that I’d purchase in a tradition store. I do my comparison shopping and make a decision using the internet and then decide how to acquire it (online or in a store).

In response to Stephanie, for my house its routine purchases that are made online. We still want to see and try a new beauty product in person. That said, I’ve purchased shoes and belts and shirts online with excellent results. I recall returning shoes once that didn’t work out, but everything else has been great. I favor Johnston and Murphy shoes anf there are few stores in my city.

]]> Comment on The Beauty of Online CPG Shopping by Stephanie http://blog.symphonyiri.com/2012/03/13/t/#comment-1312 Stephanie Wed, 14 Mar 2012 16:41:40 +0000 http://blog.symphonyiri.com/?p=799#comment-1312 This is interesting - I'd be curious to know if consumers are buying the same product online and in-store, saving money not on the product, but on online purchasing. Another question I would have is if CPG Beauty online shopping is more common with routine purchases, rather than items they are trying for the first time. This is interesting – I’d be curious to know if consumers are buying the same product online and in-store, saving money not on the product, but on online purchasing.

Another question I would have is if CPG Beauty online shopping is more common with routine purchases, rather than items they are trying for the first time.

]]> Comment on The Beauty of Online CPG Shopping by Maureen http://blog.symphonyiri.com/2012/03/13/t/#comment-1311 Maureen Tue, 13 Mar 2012 16:47:53 +0000 http://blog.symphonyiri.com/?p=799#comment-1311 Interesting comment. I live in Napa, a wonderful place for restaurants, but our shopping options are very limited. It's a good 30-45 min drive each way to a decent shopping mall, so I do a fair amount of online shopping. We recently decided to try Amazon Prime and it has made an immediate impact on our online purchases because we no longer have to consider shipping charges. And we don't have to bother grouping items together to minimize shipping costs. With the immediacy of two-day shipping, we are finding ourselves purchasing items that we normally would have purchased in town, such as paper for the printer. Heck, I even purchased a case of Campbell's microwavable tomato soup through Amazon when I couldn't find it at my local Safeway. As far as things like makeup; once you settle on a brand you like, it becomes a commodity item and it's all about convenience and price. Interesting comment. I live in Napa, a wonderful place for restaurants, but our shopping options are very limited. It’s a good 30-45 min drive each way to a decent shopping mall, so I do a fair amount of online shopping.

We recently decided to try Amazon Prime and it has made an immediate impact on our online purchases because we no longer have to consider shipping charges. And we don’t have to bother grouping items together to minimize shipping costs. With the immediacy of two-day shipping, we are finding ourselves purchasing items that we normally would have purchased in town, such as paper for the printer. Heck, I even purchased a case of Campbell’s microwavable tomato soup through Amazon when I couldn’t find it at my local Safeway.

As far as things like makeup; once you settle on a brand you like, it becomes a commodity item and it’s all about convenience and price.

]]> Comment on The Beauty of Online CPG Shopping by Maureen http://blog.symphonyiri.com/2012/03/13/t/#comment-1310 Maureen Tue, 13 Mar 2012 16:46:41 +0000 http://blog.symphonyiri.com/?p=799#comment-1310 Interesting comment. I live in Napa, a wonderful place for restaurants, but our shopping options are very limited. It's a good 30-45 min drive each way to a decent shopping mall, so I do a fair amount of online shopping. We recently decided to try Amazon Prime and it has made an immediate impact on our online purchases because we no longer have to consider shipping charges and we don't have to bother grouping items together to get minimize shipping costs. And with the immediacy of two-day shipping, we are finding ourselves purchasing items that we normally would have purchased in town, such as paper for the printer. Heck, I even purchased a case of Campbell's microwavable tomato soup through Amazon when I couldn't find it at my local Safeway. As far as things like makeup; once you settle on a brand you like, it becomes a commodity item and it's all about convenience and price. Interesting comment. I live in Napa, a wonderful place for restaurants, but our shopping options are very limited. It’s a good 30-45 min drive each way to a decent shopping mall, so I do a fair amount of online shopping.

We recently decided to try Amazon Prime and it has made an immediate impact on our online purchases because we no longer have to consider shipping charges and we don’t have to bother grouping items together to get minimize shipping costs. And with the immediacy of two-day shipping, we are finding ourselves purchasing items that we normally would have purchased in town, such as paper for the printer. Heck, I even purchased a case of Campbell’s microwavable tomato soup through Amazon when I couldn’t find it at my local Safeway.

As far as things like makeup; once you settle on a brand you like, it becomes a commodity item and it’s all about convenience and price.

]]> Comment on Gluten-Free: Trend or Foe? by Donna Sutton http://blog.symphonyiri.com/2011/09/02/gluten-free-trend-or-foe/#comment-1308 Donna Sutton Wed, 29 Feb 2012 21:25:43 +0000 http://blog.symphonyiri.com/?p=572#comment-1308 I was so excited to see yet another (recent) article on this topic and yet titled, "Gluten Free: Friend or Fad"! Here we are almost 6 months out from this blog post and this "fad" is now being touted as the next healthy category in the food aisle, and nothing like the diet/carb-free/fad/craze of other trends and crazes of the past. For most, gluten free is a food "safety" issue and it's awareness has struck a chord for those with just food sensitivities and for others going gluten free has simply provided health benefits of losing weight and perhaps keeping their system free of some over-processed foods. After reading the article (link below), I know that this 'trend' is here to stay and not only are manufacturers on board with making new products, but those that already had gluten-free items are labeling them, and retailers are doing a great job of making sure I know where to find them! Awesome! http://www.foodprocessing.com/articles/2012/gluten-free-friend-or-fad.html?page=1 I was so excited to see yet another (recent) article on this topic and yet titled, “Gluten Free: Friend or Fad”! Here we are almost 6 months out from this blog post and this “fad” is now being touted as the next healthy category in the food aisle, and nothing like the diet/carb-free/fad/craze of other trends and crazes of the past.

For most, gluten free is a food “safety” issue and it’s awareness has struck a chord for those with just food sensitivities and for others going gluten free has simply provided health benefits of losing weight and perhaps keeping their system free of some over-processed foods.

After reading the article (link below), I know that this ‘trend’ is here to stay and not only are manufacturers on board with making new products, but those that already had gluten-free items are labeling them, and retailers are doing a great job of making sure I know where to find them! Awesome!

http://www.foodprocessing.com/articles/2012/gluten-free-friend-or-fad.html?page=1

]]> Comment on Using DigitaLink Segmentation to Uncover how Connected Consumers Shop by Mark Eastwood http://blog.symphonyiri.com/2012/01/31/using-digitalink-segmentation-to-uncover-how-connected-consumers-shop/#comment-1305 Mark Eastwood Thu, 23 Feb 2012 17:09:56 +0000 http://blog.symphonyiri.com/?p=785#comment-1305 As I open my shopping list, why not remind me which items on my list have coupons in my coupon application? Based on location (I'm at a particular store) the coupon application could go find me additional coupons. I'd want to either be reminded that I have coupons about to expire in case they influece my meal planning/shopping or see them disappear so I don't think I have it to use. Digitize me too! I'm seeing more coupons for other retailers and restaurents as well... lets ave them all! As I open my shopping list, why not remind me which items on my list have coupons in my coupon application? Based on location (I’m at a particular store) the coupon application could go find me additional coupons. I’d want to either be reminded that I have coupons about to expire in case they influece my meal planning/shopping or see them disappear so I don’t think I have it to use. Digitize me too!

I’m seeing more coupons for other retailers and restaurents as well… lets ave them all!

]]> Comment on How to Keep Kids (and Your Brand) Healthy by Karyn Taylor http://blog.symphonyiri.com/2012/01/03/how-to-keep-kids-and-your-brand-healthy/#comment-1303 Karyn Taylor Mon, 13 Feb 2012 21:15:36 +0000 http://blog.symphonyiri.com/?p=753#comment-1303 Great article/blog. I tend to agree with Michelle in regards to 'taking the lead at home and setting an example'. I'm pushed for time during the week and it's very appealing to grab a box of something high in fat and/or sugar to prepare yet, we a bit of pre-planning alternatives are available. These items may be marketed toward children but the bottom line is parents are buying it. I think it's a great step that Whole Foods, Dole and other manufacturers are making donations to schools for lunches/salad bars. Some focus has to go to the schools to follow through and provide healthy alternatives and not succumb to budget or ignorance. (See Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution). Good steps ARE being taken but it all comes back to setting examples for our families and staying involved. Great article/blog. I tend to agree with Michelle in regards to ‘taking the lead at home and setting an example’. I’m pushed for time during the week and it’s very appealing to grab a box of something high in fat and/or sugar to prepare yet, we a bit of pre-planning alternatives are available. These items may be marketed toward children but the bottom line is parents are buying it.

I think it’s a great step that Whole Foods, Dole and other manufacturers are making donations to schools for lunches/salad bars. Some focus has to go to the schools to follow through and provide healthy alternatives and not succumb to budget or ignorance. (See Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution).

Good steps ARE being taken but it all comes back to setting examples for our families and staying involved.

]]> Comment on An Alternative to “Paper or Plastic” by Donna Sutton http://blog.symphonyiri.com/2011/10/05/an-alternative-to-%e2%80%9cpaper-or-plastic%e2%80%9d/#comment-1302 Donna Sutton Mon, 13 Feb 2012 18:24:34 +0000 http://blog.symphonyiri.com/?p=666#comment-1302 Well folks, it's coming around to an all or nothing. It started in San Francisco and it comes back around to San Francisco - no big surprise. By 2013, even restaurants will have to stop using single use plastic bags in SF: San Francisco Bans All Plastic Disposable Bags The Wall Street Journal reports that the San Francisco Board of Supervisors “ voted Tuesday to make it illegal for any shop in the city to offer disposable plastic bags to customers. The law expands a 2007 bag ban that applied to large grocery stores and pharmacies, and also mandates stores charge customers 10 cents apiece for paper bags. “The legislation, meant to reduce litter and waste-processing costs, requires all retail outlets top stop distributing single-use plastic bags in October. Starting in 2013, the ban will apply to restaurants as well. Reusable bags will remain legal.” I still have a hard time remebering to bring my bags in - unless I'm at Trader Joe's or Sunflower! That's because my bags are from those 2 stores! That's crazy I tell myself! The stores don't care who's name is on the bag! They are in the floor of my back seat, and I inevitably forget them. Starting now, they are going in the front seat floorboard. I get so upset when I carry out groceries and goods in those plastic bags! I have seen the pictures of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, I see them blowing around all over my town. I must get better at this! I hope we all can. Go San Francisco! Well folks, it’s coming around to an all or nothing. It started in San Francisco and it comes back around to San Francisco – no big surprise. By 2013, even restaurants will have to stop using single use plastic bags in SF:

San Francisco Bans All Plastic Disposable Bags
The Wall Street Journal reports that the San Francisco Board of Supervisors “ voted Tuesday to make it illegal for any shop in the city to offer disposable plastic bags to customers. The law expands a 2007 bag ban that applied to large grocery stores and pharmacies, and also mandates stores charge customers 10 cents apiece for paper bags. “The legislation, meant to reduce litter and waste-processing costs, requires all retail outlets top stop distributing single-use plastic bags in October. Starting in 2013, the ban will apply to restaurants as well. Reusable bags will remain legal.”

I still have a hard time remebering to bring my bags in – unless I’m at Trader Joe’s or Sunflower! That’s because my bags are from those 2 stores! That’s crazy I tell myself! The stores don’t care who’s name is on the bag! They are in the floor of my back seat, and I inevitably forget them. Starting now, they are going in the front seat floorboard. I get so upset when I carry out groceries and goods in those plastic bags! I have seen the pictures of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, I see them blowing around all over my town. I must get better at this! I hope we all can. Go San Francisco!

]]>