Kantar Retail Sound Bites

How can brands turn consumer signals into smarter, more meaningful experiences? In this episode of Retail Sound Bites, hosts Rachel Dalton and Barry Thomas welcome back Lindsey Aitken, Senior Director of Owned Platforms and Data Integration at Coca-Cola, to explore how brands can move from simply collecting first-party data to creating meaningful consumer intelligence. They discuss the growing importance of owned platforms, the shift from one-off campaigns to continuously learning consumer relationships, and how AI is changing product discovery and recommendations. Aitken shares why brands increasingly need to create experiences for both the human and the machine, while keeping trust and meaningful human connection at the center. Ultimately, the opportunity isn't simply collecting more data, but turning existing signals into smarter, more relevant experiences that deliver real value to consumers. 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

As AI becomes increasingly involved in how consumers discover, evaluate, and purchase products, what does that mean for brands and retailers? In this episode of Retail Sound Bites, Jeff Greenspoon, CEO of Kantar North America, joins Rachel Dalton to discuss the evolving role of AI in commerce, why brand equity will be a critical differentiator, and how stronger retailer-brand partnerships can drive growth in a changing marketplace. Jeff also shares his perspective on leadership, innovation, and the opportunities that emerge when organizations stay focused on solving real consumer needs.   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

AI is not simply influencing grocery shopping. It is reshaping the entire journey from inspiration and discovery to purchase and the final in-store experience. In this episode of Kantar Retail Sound Bites, Barry Thomas, Rachel Dalton, and Leigh O'Donnell share their immediate takeaways from GroceryShop and examine what the industry's rapid shift toward AI means for retailers and brands. The discussion covers personalized baskets, data readiness, Kantar's 4F framework for AI-enabled shopping, visibility within large language models, and the evolving role of retail media networks. The team also looks at why stores remain critical in an AI-driven world and how retailers can create more engaging, sensory, and connected experiences for increasingly informed shoppers. 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

How do shoppers define value in today's retail environment? In this episode of Retail Sound Bites, Kantar experts explore new research on what drives consumer purchasing decisions beyond price. The discussion examines affordability pressures, loyalty programs, prepared foods, health and wellness trends, and how retailers and brands can create meaningful value through convenience, quality, and experience. Tune in for actionable insights on the evolving shopper mindset and what it means for the future of retail.   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

In this replay episode of Retail Sound Bites, hosts Barry Thomas and Rachel Dalton revisit their conversation with Brian Choi, CEO of The Food Institute, to explore the key food and beverage trends shaping 2026. The discussion examines the rise of value-driven consumers, the growing influence of Gen Z and Gen Alpha, the momentum behind challenger brands, and how health, wellness, policy changes, and experience-led innovation are reshaping the industry. Listeners will gain practical insights into how retailers and CPG brands can adapt to evolving consumer expectations and competitive market dynamics. 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

As part of the Retail Sound Bites summer replay series, Barry Thomas revisits one of the podcast's most impactful conversations, highlighting the evolving role of category management and its growing importance across the retail landscape. Featuring insights from Ferrero's Bala, this episode explores how retailers and CPG manufacturers can use category thinking to drive growth, strengthen shopper engagement, and prepare for the future of commerce. A must-listen for retail leaders, category managers, and FMCG professionals looking to stay ahead of industry change.   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

In this episode of Retail Sound Bites, hosts Barry Thomas and Rachel Dalton welcome Sunny Khamkar, a leading food and beverage trends expert, to discuss the forces reshaping the future of foodservice, retail, and consumer dining habits.  From rising food costs and the impact of GLP-1 medications to the growing demand for protein-rich options, global flavors, functional beverages, and personalized meal experiences, Sunny shares the trends transforming menus across restaurants, grocery retailers, and convenience stores. The conversation also explores the rise of prepared meals, the power of limited-time offers, and how retailers can compete for more consumer meal occasions.  Whether you're in retail, foodservice, CPG, or consumer insights, this episode offers a look at the innovations, flavors, and consumer expectations shaping what's next in food and beverage. 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

The next billion-dollar brands won't be invented by legacy CPG; they'll be acquired from founders. On the latest episode of Retail Sound Bites, Barry Thomas and Rachel Dalton sit down with Danny Stepper, CEO and co-founder of L.A. Libations, to unpack the realities behind scaling a beverage brand. This conversation dives into what separates brands that break through from those that stall, including the role of retail environments like Costco in elevating challenger brands, and why access to networks, capital, and visibility is becoming just as important as shelf space. 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

What 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

What 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