Shelf Life: Expert Voices from the Consumer Goods Industry

Tariffs just rewrote the rules — now what?

In this episode of Shelf Life, Joel Beal, CEO of Alloy.ai and “recovering economist,” and Logan Ensign, Alloy.ai's Chief Customer Officer dig into the chaos unleashed by the sudden announcement of new U.S. tariffs. The implications for the consumer goods industry are huge — and unfolding fast.

From conversations with leading brands and retailers, Joel shares what he's hearing in re...

Join us as we discuss with Joel Beal, CEO of Alloy.ai, the increasing practice of retailers imposing fees on suppliers for data access. We examine how this shift impacts supplier-retailer relationships and the broader implications for the consumer goods industry. In this episode we explore:

• Why Retailers Are Charging for POS Data – Joel Beal explains the factors driving retailers to monetize supplier access to sales and inventor...

In this episode of Shelf Life, we’re joined by Alexis Lozada, Associate Principal for Supply Chain Planning at Westernacher Consulting. With over two decades of experience at companies like Del Monte Foods and SAP, Alexis shares his unique insights into the evolving landscape of supply chain planning. Together, we explore how consumer goods brands are adapting to trends, leveraging technology, and navigating new challenges in deman...

In this episode, we dive deep into the complexities of data management within the consumer goods industry, focusing on how brands can achieve a comprehensive view of their business by connecting data across a multitude of retail, e-commerce, and supply chain partners. 

Hosted by Abby Carruthers, Product Manager at Alloy.ai, the discussion features insights from Manfred Reiche, a subject matter expert in CPG data, and Matthew Ny...

Consumers are behaving weirdly. Retailers are responding.

In this special bonus episode, our hosts, Joel Beal and Logan Ensign, dive deep into the latest earnings reports and economic trends. Joel, a recovering economist, brings his expertise to decode the complex relationship between consumer spending, inflation, and market reactions. Discover why higher-income consumers are still splurging, the hidden dynamics of retail pricing an...

What if all companies worked toward creating a transparent, efficient, and ethical supply chain landscape?

In this episode, we welcome Peter Smith, a seasoned executive with a rich background working for major companies such as Carters, Party City, and VF Corporation. Joined by our hosts Logan Ensign and Joel Beal, we're diving deep into the evolving landscape of consumer brands and the retail market.

Peter shares his insights o...

What comes to mind when you hear the words ‘sales data’? 

Alloy.ai’s resident expert on all things related to retail data, Manfred Reiche, says there’s a whole realm of information you’re likely missing out on when it comes to the sales data bucket. In this episode, we delve into the intricacies of point-of-sale data and its transformative impact on the consumer goods industry. 

Listen in as we explore the critica...

AI in supply chains isn't just about crunching data—it's about creating bridges between complex info and everyday decision-making.

In this episode, Lasse Holmstedt, VP of Engineering at Alloy.ai, joins us to discuss the dynamic role of generative AI and large language models within the consumer goods sector. Throughout the conversation, we delve not only into the innovative application of AI technologies that enc...

In this episode, we’re joined by Zach Horton, Senior Director of Logistics and Supply & Demand Planning at Ember Technologies, Inc. From handling Ember's exponential growth to integrating cutting-edge technology into the heart of their supply chain, Zach shares invaluable insights on the role of AI, the essence of culture, and the art of innovative product development. 

Tune in to learn not just how to plan for th...

Easter 2024 hopped in early this year, and as a result sales expectations were muted. The Alloy.ai team, Joel and Logan, discuss the commercial and consumer-behavior dynamics at play during holidays like easter, and what they mean for consumer brands. In this episode we discuss:

• How narrow buying windows impact consumer brands replenishment efforts
• The tough decision of whether to produce holiday-specific SKUs
• What Easter sales mi...

Unlock the secrets landing and growing coveted shelf space at Walmart. Bill Sinacore, VP of National Accounts at PlayMonster joins Shelf Life to share advice gleaned over his 30+ year career at industrys giants like LEGO and LeapFrog.

In this episode you'll learn:

• What Walmart buyers really care about
• Tactics to get your product on the shelf and to show your buyers with data that Walmart customers will be interested...

We sat down with Matt Bergum, the Country Business Director for Canada at Bosch Power Tools, to dive into the state of ecommerce in 2024. We shed light on the distinctions between ecommerce and brick-and-mortar product launches, the balancing act that comes with a hybrid retail approach, the complex task of managing expansive product portfolios across various online platforms (and the resulting strain on margins), and the transform...

This week's special bonus episode dives into the  into Black Friday, consumer spending, and the state of the economy. Our guest, Joel Beal, CEO of Alloy.ai and economist, provides a unique perspective on the early numbers and what they mean for the larger economy. We delve into:

• The preliminary numbers that are emerging post-Black Friday, attempting to decode consumer behavior and market trends
• The possibility of deflation
• Ho...

In this episode we get in-depth on the topic of data-driven decision making with Eric Richardson, Manager of Forecasting and Data Analytics at leading board game company USAopoly. As a data expert, Eric shares how consumer brands can harness data without extensive resources, how to bring and present data to retail buyers to influence replenishment and how to recognize and utilize sudden surges in consumer demand. 

This epi...

We sit down with world-renowned supply chain guru, Professor David Simchi-Levi. This MIT professor and head of the MIT Data Science Lab, shares his insights on supply chain digitization and delivering on the promise of increased forecast accuracy while reducing risks. It's a transformative discussion on how you, with a moderate financial investment, can swiftly digitize your supply chain while reaping the rewards. Our discussi...

Peek behind the curtain of one of the beauty industry's most successful companies. Vitaly Simonian, the Vice President of Finance at Dr Dennis Gross Skincare, takes us on a journey through a business that's quadrupled in size and expanded into 16 markets. 
We talk about :

• Navigating shifting consumer trends
• The role education plays in marketing 
• How to effectively venture into fresh business verticals in an uncertain...

How has the consumer goods industry changed over the last 30 years? Why are we dealing struggling with the same obstacles that have challenged us for decades. In the first episode of Shelf Life, our guest, John Buckley, Consumer Products Industry Advisor at SAP, uses his deep expertise and consumer products experience to answer some of these questions. From Maytag and Kraft-Heinz to Tyson, John's rich experience sheds light on...