Shelf Life: Expert Voices from the Consumer Goods Industry Alloy.ai

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 the future but to shape it with wisdom, agility, and the invaluable FIO (figure it out) mindset. Because in today's fast-paced world, it's not just about the product—it's about the people you serve and the team that drives you. Stay ahead of the curve with us, right here, on the Shelf Life Podcast.

Three Key Takeaways: 
The implementation of a robust sales and operations planning process is pivotal for successful startup growth, promoting transparency and accountabilityAI holds the promise to revolutionize planning and analysis, offering a glimpse into future consumer products industry advancementsF.I.O - Figure It Out: champion a proactive work culture and encourage your team to embrace challenges with an innovative spirit

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 effortsThe tough decision of whether to produce holiday-specific SKUsWhat Easter sales might say about the broader economy.

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 aboutTactics to get your product on the shelf and to show your buyers with data that Walmart customers will be interested in your productThe key metrics that matter todayUsing Amazon as a proving ground to test your product before bringing it to WalmartThe twists and turns of product innovation in the toy industryJoin us as Bill shares guidance on everything from product development, optimal pricing, and retail relationships, with a specific emphasis on Walmart.

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 transformation of the power tools industry in the face of e-commerce. Expect to gain an insider's look into how Bosch is aiming to grow market share in an increasingly digital market.

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 trendsThe possibility of deflationHow sales are breaking down in terms of in-store vs. ecommerce
Tune in to this episode of Shelf Life, and get a comprehensive understanding of current economic trends, their impact on consumer spending, and their potential implications for the future.

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 episode explores:
Specific ways to use and present sales, supply chain and forecasting data in conversations with retail buyersHow to spot consumer trends in the data and respond quicklyWays AI might change the supply chain spaceHow USAOpoly and the board game industry is thinking about manufacturing in China vs. domesticallyThroughout our conversation, Eric emphasizes, not just the importance of data, but also the art of presenting it in a way that is easily understandable to all stakeholders — both inside and outside of the company.

You won't want to miss Eric's advice and perspective on using in data analytics in the consumer goods industry.