Rick West

Consumer demand shifts quickly, but the tools brands use to understand that demand often lag behind. Harmonya is changing that. Their platform turns unstructured product data into insights that help CPG companies and retailers anticipate trends, optimize assortments, and move at the pace of today’s consumer. We’re proud to back Harmonya as they help brands transform product data into a competitive advantage. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/e4M7xeSg #PortfolioCompany #RetailTech #ConsumerInsights #CPG #CommerceTech

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I think The Works might have missed an opportunity here. Given that, for almost all product categories, target audiences are increasingly coming from digital generations, closing their digital commerce business is an interesting move. But, it makes sense and I agree with the rationale behind the decision. The reality of both retailing and manufacturing is that we are in business to make money, so, if there is a part of the business that isn’t making money it’s better to make tough decisions, rather than stick with something that isn’t delivering or justifying its place. The Works is an impulse driven retailer, and it is hard to effectively do impulse online. Costs to pick, pack and ship digital commerce orders are high, and, Amazon is a major competitor in every category The Works sells in. Amazon’s economies of scale are significantly better, as is it’s distribution infrastructure. I wonder though if an opportunity is being missed here. The Works has a strong traffic flow online, a geographically wide store portfolio with high footfall, and a diverse customer base to communicate to. Converting to a Marketplace model online, rather than a direct retailer, would allow them to monetise their online traffic, expand their product offering and satisfy wider customer demand, but without having to have the infrastructure and costs of managing a digital commerce retail business. #digitalcommerce #ecommerce #digitalretail #theworks #marketplaces #marketplace #digitalmarketplace https://lnkd.in/eUbVSskD

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Bright Future for Bricks & Mortar Stores. Great piece covering Advise by John Walshe @ Retail Media Group, and highlighting: ·      Vast Majority of Grocery Sales still happen in Brick & Mortar Stores (80% plus) ·      CPG/ FMCG manufacturers are drowning in data and leaving enormous volumes and value on the shop floor, on the shelf, in the storeroom, with the competition, wasted… take your pick! ·      When manufacturers don’t engage with data they already have access to, they can’t automate processes, increase margins, increase efficiencies, reduce costs & retail talent. ·      Almost forgot… Manufacturers have to embrace AI, where it makes sense, like everyone else… 😊 See full article here: https://lnkd.in/erNY7bnH #cpganalytics #drowningindata #ecrireland #catmanglobal

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Trulaske's CPG Career Pathway with Brase RISE Scholars Industry Trend Alert with Jaylen Allen 📣 Have you noticed how many shoppers are choosing store brands over national brands lately? One of the biggest CPG trends from the past few months is the continued rise of private-label and value-focused products as consumers become more price-conscious. With inflation still influencing everyday spending, consumers are prioritizing affordability without fully sacrificing quality. According to recent industry coverage from outlets like FoodNavigator and LinkedIn News, retailers are investing more heavily in their private-label lines, while CPG companies are rethinking pricing strategies, pack sizes, and value messaging. This shift matters because it changes how brands compete not just on price, but on trust, consistency, and perceived value. For the CPG industry, this trend highlights the importance of strong financial planning, supply chain efficiency, and consumer insights. Brands that can control costs while maintaining quality are better positioned to remain competitive. It also shows how critical it is for CPG professionals to understand consumer behavior, especially during economic uncertainty. As a student interested in finance and accounting within CPG, I find this trend especially interesting because it shows how behind-the-scenes decisions directly affect what consumers see on shelves. Understanding cost structures and value positioning will be key skills for future CPG leaders. What do you think will happen to private-label growth even when inflation slows, or will national brands regain dominance? #Trulaske #ExperienceCenteredLearning #CPGCareerPathway #CPG #ConsumerGoods #RetailTrends #PrivateLabel #BusinessStudents

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