Consumer Code

Spatial.ai
  • 5.0 (3)
  • BUSINESS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

The Consumer Code podcast explores the world of retail through the lens of ethnography, cartography, demography, and the economy. On each episode, Lyden Foust, CEO of Spatial.ai, interviews industry leaders about the economic and cultural trends shaping the consumer landscape today.

  1. JAN 21

    Key Insights For Retail Real Estate Strategy in 2026 (ft. Gregg Katz)

    In this episode, Lyden interviews Gregg Katz, a seasoned expert in retail strategy and location data. Katz shares his journey from a family retail background to becoming a director and chief strategy officer in the commercial real estate sector. He discusses the importance of understanding nostalgic retail trends and how they can inform current business strategies. Katz emphasizes the lessons learned from past retail failures, such as the dangers of rapid expansion and losing sight of core values, while also highlighting the evolving landscape of competition in retail. The discussion delves into the significance of mobile data in retail analytics, the challenges posed by regulatory changes, and the need for businesses to adapt their strategies to meet the demands of an aging consumer base.Chapters:(00:30) Nostalgia in Retail: A Journey Through Time(03:24) Lessons from the Past: Retail Patterns and Insights(06:13) The Fast Expansion Trap: Sweetgreen and Beyond(09:09) The Don't Die Theory: Surviving in Retail(11:42) From Burritos to Real Estate: Greg's Career Transition(14:27) Building a Data-Driven Strategy in Retail(17:21) The Evolution of Mobile Data in Retail(20:10) Transformative Retail Insights: Case Studies(31:14) The Aging of America: A Retail Shift Ahead(32:27) The Overlooked Generation: Gen X's Role in Retail(35:21) Placemaking: Creating Community for All Generations(37:49) Understanding Customer Behavior Across Generations(40:08) Navigating the Data Deluge in Retail(48:49) The Future of Mobile Data Regulations(53:38) Retail Strategies for 2025 and Beyond Follow Gregg Katz on: LinkedIn Listen to Consumer Code on: Spotify | Apple | YouTube Follow Lyden Foust on: LinkedIn | Instagram About Spatial.ai: Spatial.ai’s PersonaLive is an advanced consumer segmentation platform for developing data-driven marketing strategies. PersonaLive categorizes U.S. households into 17 groups and 80 segments using consumer behavior data from transactions, mobile visits, and social media activity, providing marketers with deep insights for effective audience targeting. From mid-sized retailers and agencies to Fortune 500 companies, hundreds of businesses use PersonaLive to drive strategic decisions and enhance marketing performance.  Learn more at spatial.ai or schedule a free 30-minute demo.

    1h 3m

  2. JAN 13

    Two Consumers, One Country: Retail in the K-Shaped Economy (ft. Thomas Paulson)

    In this episode, Thomas Paulson, head of market insights at Advan Research, shares his expertise on economic trends, retail dynamics, and consumer behavior. He discusses the K-shaped economy, the impact of private label brands, and insights from Black Friday shopping. Paulson emphasizes the importance of understanding market signals and the role of influencers in shaping consumer preferences. He also provides predictions for the retail landscape in 2026, highlighting the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for retailers. Chapters: (00:00 Introduction (03:23) Thomas Paulson's Background and Wall Street Experience (06:11) Understanding Data Sources and Economic Trends (09:17) The K-Shaped Economy Explained (12:31) Navigating Stock Market Dynamics (15:26) Retailer Strategies in a Changing Economy (18:26) Consumer Behavior and Influencer Impact (21:30) The Future of Retail in a K-Shaped Economy (24:13) Private Label Trends and Market Dynamics (29:21) Understanding Secular and Cyclical Trends (30:22) Market Dynamics and Brand Preferences (31:33) The Shift Towards Healthier Choices (34:43) Analyzing Black Friday Trends (41:00) Post-Black Friday Insights (42:13) Retailers Adapting to Market Changes (46:20) The Impact of Influencers on Retail (50:14) Walmart's Strategic Innovations (51:35) Looking Ahead to 2026 Learn more about Advan at advanresearch.com Follow Thomas Paulson on LinkedIn. Listen to Consumer Code on: Spotify | Apple | YouTube Follow Lyden Foust on: LinkedIn | Instagram About Spatial.ai: Spatial.ai’s PersonaLive is an advanced consumer segmentation platform for developing data-driven marketing strategies. PersonaLive categorizes U.S. households into 17 groups and 80 segments using consumer behavior data from transactions, mobile visits, and social media activity, providing marketers with deep insights for effective audience targeting. From mid-sized retailers and agencies to Fortune 500 companies, hundreds of businesses use PersonaLive to drive strategic decisions and enhance marketing performance.  Learn more at spatial.ai or schedule a free 30-minute demo.

    58 min

  3. JAN 7

    The Power of the Retailer Preference Index (ft. Erich Kahner)

    In this episode, Lyden interviews Erich Kahner, Senior Director of Strategy and Insights at Dunnhumby, about the Retailer Preference Index (RPI). The RPI measures the strength of a retailer's customer value proposition and its impact on market share growth. Kahner discusses the methodology behind the RPI study, which combines consumer surveys with financial metrics, and highlights the five pillars of customer value proposition: price promotions, quality, speed and convenience, digital experience, and operations. The conversation explores shifts in consumer preferences, the importance of savings in the current economic climate, and the implications of the RPI rankings for retailers. Kahner also shares insights from global RPI studies and best practices for retailers to optimize their strategies for long-term success. Chapters: (00:30) Introduction (03:20) Understanding the Retailer Preference Index (RPI) (06:16) The Five Pillars of Customer Value Proposition (09:24) Shifts in Consumer Preferences Over Time (12:13) The Impact of Economic Factors on Retail Strategies (15:25) Quantifying the Value Proposition and Financial Outcomes (18:28) Key Takeaways from the RPI Study (21:29) The Evolving Consumer Landscape (24:41) The Shift to Digital Shopping (28:12) Consumer Frustration and Control in Grocery Shopping (29:38) Top Retailers and Market Dynamics (34:24) Strategic Groupings of Retailers (37:39) Unicorns in Retail: Balancing Quality and Savings (39:58) Challenges for Quality First Non-Conventional Retailers (44:33) Comparative Insights: US vs. Global Retail Markets (47:25) Leveraging RPI for Retail Strategy Learn more about Dunnhumby Follow Erich Kahner on: LinkedIn⁠ Listen to Consumer Code on: Spotify | Apple | YouTube Follow Lyden Foust on: LinkedIn | Instagram About Spatial.ai: Spatial.ai’s PersonaLive is an advanced consumer segmentation platform for developing data-driven marketing strategies. PersonaLive categorizes U.S. households into 17 groups and 80 segments using consumer behavior data from transactions, mobile visits, and social media activity, providing marketers with deep insights for effective audience targeting. From mid-sized retailers and agencies to Fortune 500 companies, hundreds of businesses use PersonaLive to drive strategic decisions and enhance marketing performance.  Learn more at spatial.ai or schedule a free 30-minute demo.

    51 min

  4. 11/17/2025

    Navigating the Retail Real Estate Landscape (ft. Bryan Chandler)

    In this conversation, Bryan Chandler, a partner and managing director at the Shopping Center Group (TSCG), discusses the intricacies of retail real estate, the importance of data analytics, and the evolving dynamics between retailers, brokers, and property owners. He shares insights on the significance of retail intelligence, the role of dark data, and how mobile and psychographic data are transforming site selection and consumer understanding. The discussion emphasizes the need for collaboration among stakeholders in the retail space to navigate the current market challenges and opportunities.Chapters(00:00) Intro(01:08) What is TSCG?(03:34) Retail Intelligence at TSCG(05:18) Bryan's Early Career in Retail(07:35) Bryan's Transition to GIS(10:27) The Spatial Retail Fabric(13:36) Dark Data & Brokers' Insider Knowledge(18:01) Understanding Property Owner Incentives(21:19) How Low Vacancy Rates Impact Retail(25:14) How to Align Retailer, Broker, and Owner(27:08) The Value of Mobile Data (Atlanta MSA Case Study)(32:00) The Value of Psychographic Data (Furniture Case Study)(38:16) Questions to Ask Data Providers(39:47) TSCG's New Dataset(43:56) Parting Advice: Bring Data Analysts to the Conversion Follow Bryan Chandler on: LinkedIn Listen to Consumer Code on: Spotify | Apple | YouTube Follow Lyden Foust on: LinkedIn | Instagram About Spatial.ai: Spatial.ai’s PersonaLive is an advanced consumer segmentation platform for developing data-driven marketing strategies. PersonaLive categorizes U.S. households into 17 groups and 80 segments using consumer behavior data from transactions, mobile visits, and social media activity, providing marketers with deep insights for effective audience targeting. From mid-sized retailers and agencies to Fortune 500 companies, hundreds of businesses use PersonaLive to drive strategic decisions and enhance marketing performance. Learn more at spatial.ai or schedule a free 30-minute demo.

    45 min

  5. 11/13/2025

    How Patagonia Builds Brand Loyalty Through Circularity (MM2)

    Welcome to Market Share Masterclass, a new Consumer Code series featuring rapid-fire, tactical interviews with retail’s boldest operators—unpacking the real strategies behind today’s fastest-growing brands.In this episode, Julian Gottlieb, Senior Analytics Lead at Patagonia, discusses the company's approach to market intelligence, emphasizing the importance of understanding customer insights and the shift towards circularity in retail. He highlights how Patagonia integrates these insights into their digital experience and the significance of mission-driven marketing in building brand integrity. The conversation also touches on the challenges and opportunities presented by the evolving consumer landscape, particularly among younger generations.Chapters(00:00) Introduction to Market Intelligence at Patagonia(03:03) Customer Insights and Circularity(10:22) Activating Insights through Digital Experience(14:39) Experiential Marketing and Brand Integrity Follow Julian Gotliebb on: LinkedIn Listen to Consumer Code on: Spotify | Apple | YouTube Follow Lyden Foust on: LinkedIn | Instagram About Spatial.ai: Spatial.ai’s PersonaLive is an advanced consumer segmentation platform for developing data-driven marketing strategies. PersonaLive categorizes U.S. households into 17 groups and 80 segments using consumer behavior data from transactions, mobile visits, and social media activity, providing marketers with deep insights for effective audience targeting. From mid-sized retailers and agencies to Fortune 500 companies, hundreds of businesses use PersonaLive to drive strategic decisions and enhance marketing performance.  Learn more at spatial.ai or schedule a free 30-minute demo.

    20 min

  6. 09/29/2025

    Mobile Data 101 & The Mobility Grid (ft. Andy Moncla)

    In this episode, Andy Moncla, President of BI Spatial, discusses the development and application of the Mobility Grid, a tool designed to analyze consumer behavior and site selection in retail. He shares insights from his extensive experience in the industry, highlighting the evolution of market research, the importance of mobile data, and the challenges associated with data accuracy and privacy. The discussion emphasizes the need for businesses to adapt to technological advancements in order to make informed decisions based on consumer demographics and movement patterns.Chapters:(00:00) Introduction(02:30) Early Experiences at Lowe's and Market Research(05:50) Transition to VF Corporation and Customer Data Insights(14:50) Discovery of Mobile Data and Its Impact(17:06) Harnessing Data for Precision and Privacy(17:30) The Evolution of Mobile Data in Retail(22:17) Understanding Mobile Data Sources and Accuracy(26:21) Demographics and Mobile Data: The New Approach(30:45) Navigating the Challenges of Mobile Data Usage(33:18) Introduction to the Mobility Grid(39:11) Understanding Data Processing and Segmentation(44:52) Real-World Applications and Case Studies(47:12) Future of Mobility Data and Trade Areas Learn more about Andy Moncla and BI Spatial Listen to Consumer Code on: Spotify | Apple | YouTube Follow Lyden Foust on: LinkedIn | Instagram About Spatial.ai: Spatial.ai’s PersonaLive is an advanced consumer segmentation platform for developing data-driven marketing strategies. PersonaLive categorizes U.S. households into 17 groups and 80 segments using consumer behavior data from transactions, mobile visits, and social media activity, providing marketers with deep insights for effective audience targeting. From mid-sized retailers and agencies to Fortune 500 companies, hundreds of businesses use PersonaLive to drive strategic decisions and enhance marketing performance. Learn more at spatial.ai or schedule a free 30-minute demo.

    51 min

  7. 09/04/2025

    Tony Tsonis on How Pet Paradise Increased Conversion By 8% (MM1)

    Welcome to Market Share Masterclass, a new Consumer Code series featuring rapid-fire, tactical interviews with retail’s boldest operators—unpacking the real strategies behind today’s fastest-growing brands. In this episode, Lyden Foust interviews Tony Tsonis, Senior Director of Digital Marketing at Pet Paradise. They discuss the growth of Pet Paradise, strategies for increasing market share, the importance of customer trust, and how demographic trends are influencing marketing strategies. Tony shares insights on reducing friction in customer interactions, the role of awareness media in building trust, and the significance of understanding customer demographics in shaping marketing approaches. Chapters (00:00) Introduction to Pet Paradise and Growth Journey (02:37) Strategies for Reducing Friction in Customer Experience (06:26) Increasing Market Share Through Awareness Media (14:05) Understanding Customer Insights and Demographics (19:19) Innovative Retail Strategies and Future Directions Follow Tony Tsonis on LinkedIn Learn more about Pet Paradise Listen to Consumer Code on: Spotify | Apple | YouTube Follow Lyden Foust on: LinkedIn | Instagram About Spatial.ai: Spatial.ai’s PersonaLive is an advanced consumer segmentation platform for developing data-driven marketing strategies. PersonaLive categorizes U.S. households into 17 groups and 80 segments using consumer behavior data from transactions, mobile visits, and social media activity, providing marketers with deep insights for effective audience targeting. From mid-sized retailers and agencies to Fortune 500 companies, hundreds of businesses use PersonaLive to drive strategic decisions and enhance marketing performance.  Learn more at spatial.ai or schedule a free 30-minute demo.

    22 min

  8. 07/29/2025

    How Grocery Drives Retail Success (ft. Douglas Munson)

    In this episode, Doug Munson, former CEO of MTN Retail Advisors, discusses the intricacies of grocery retail site selection, emphasizing the importance of data collection, the evolution of tools, and the significance of boots-on-the-ground analysis. He shares insights from his career, including foundational moments that shaped his approach to the industry, and offers advice for retail site selectors navigating market saturation and consumer behavior changes. Chapters (00:00) Introduction and Doug Munson’s Background (04:07) The Evolution of Grocery Retail and Site Selection (15:30) Data Collection: From Casing Stores to Digital Tools (19:43) Analytical Tools and Models in Site Selection (26:44) Market Dynamics: Saturation, Cannibalization, and Competition (36:53) Consumer Behavior and Store Performance (48:05) The Future of Grocery Retail: AI, E-commerce, and Evolving Formats Follow Doug Munson on LinkedIn Learn more about RetailStat Listen to Consumer Code on: Spotify | Apple | YouTube Follow Lyden Foust on: LinkedIn | Instagram About Spatial.ai: Spatial.ai’s PersonaLive is an advanced consumer segmentation platform for developing data-driven marketing strategies. PersonaLive categorizes U.S. households into 17 groups and 80 segments using consumer behavior data from transactions, mobile visits, and social media activity, providing marketers with deep insights for effective audience targeting. From mid-sized retailers and agencies to Fortune 500 companies, hundreds of businesses use PersonaLive to drive strategic decisions and enhance marketing performance.  Learn more at spatial.ai or schedule a free 30-minute demo.

    1 hr
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5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

The Consumer Code podcast explores the world of retail through the lens of ethnography, cartography, demography, and the economy. On each episode, Lyden Foust, CEO of Spatial.ai, interviews industry leaders about the economic and cultural trends shaping the consumer landscape today.

Information

  • Creator
    Spatial.ai
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    23
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Spatial.ai
  • Show Website
    Consumer Code

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