New research from IRI®, a global leader in innovative solutions and services for consumer, retail and media companies, found that small and extra-small CPG manufacturers’ and retailers’ own brands gained US market share over larger players during 2020. Of the CPG industry’s $933 billion of total US sales in measured channels in 2020, large manufacturers collectively lost 1.3 share points, or $12.1 billion in sales, to smaller players due to channel shifts, supply constraints and category shifts.

IRI’s latest report, “Anticipated Vaccine Adoption and Impact on CPG Industry,” explores the opportunities that retailers and manufacturers have to promote vaccinations, both as a physical destination where consumers can get a vaccination, and as part of overall wellness campaigns.

IRI projects turkey sales for Thanksgiving to be strong, with an emphasis on smaller whole birds or cuts. Turkey and roasting meats have enjoyed a sales boom during the pandemic, with the most robust growth among younger and lower-income shoppers.

Looking to promote positive, long-lasting change, Ibraheem Basir, Founder and CEO of A Dozen Cousins, started Project Potluck as a first-of-its-kind organization to help BIPOC thrive in the CPG industry by tackling the inherent bias in hiring, networking gaps, lack of access to capital for diverse founders and more.

If 2020 had gone to plan, Natural Products Expo East 2020 would have been just around the corner and the NEXT team would have been presenting on the top growing and emerging trends that were unfolding on the trade show floor. Instead, we're looking to Natural Products Expo's Spark Change, which kicked off Wednesday, Aug. 26. 

Innovation master Galit Feinreich shares best practices gleaned throughout her decades-long career leading white space innovation and launching new products and platforms as former Chief Marketing Officer for Readypac Foods; and as a consultant to CPG clients including Nestlé, the world's largest food and beverage company. 

Understandably, it hasn’t been the best time for CPG food and beverage processors to unveil new products to retail customers or their consumers. Yet it doesn’t have to bring an end to strategic innovation—involving insights, ideation or product development. 

The US consumer packaged goods industry increased by 2.2% in 2019, outpacing 2018 growth of 2.0%, according to the eighth annual Boston Consulting Group (BCG)/IRI CPG study released at the end of March. The growth was driven exclusively by pricing adjustments in the face of declining average volumes across measured channels. Despite the volume drop, top growth leaders saw their volumes increase over 2018.

The CPG industry has never been under more pressure as it faces a global pandemic, an impending recession, soaring unemployment, ubiquitous social distancing and unparalleled consumer fear across the US.

Combining deep operational experience in traditional retail with exposure to new technologies and entrepreneurial culture, Burry brings a unique perspective on the future of retail and consumer brands.