November 1, 2021 | ConsumerGeniuses Blog

Three steps brands need to consider to welcome the new normal

ConsumerGeniuses November 1, 2021

To survive in today’s marketplace, brands can no longer rely on conventional media. Instead, they must consider and reflect the real-world events by evolving continuously to welcome the new normal. Here are three changes brands need to consider: 1, Project “clean house;” Most global companies recycle their marketing campaigns yearly. Instead, they should run daily campaigns to assess whether the needs are attuned to global events. 2, Utilize available resources; In a data-driven world, brands should use data to quantify brands’ progress on embracing significant changes. 3, Create change; brands should step out of their comfort zone and create change by educating and monitoring themselves. Read more from Thinkwithgoogle

Chewy initiated a veterinarian-only marketplace, Practice Hub

ConsumerGeniuses November 1, 2021

Retailers are focused on offering proficient health services to consumers nowadays. Chewy, a DTC company, has therefore initiated a veterinarian-only marketplace named Practice Hub. This initiative would help grow clinic revenue and modernize pharmacy operationist. The platform allows the vet to determine prices and offer pre-approved prescriptions. Additionally, it provides them with an opportunity to generate revenue when pet owners order or buy from them via Chewy’s website. According to the online pet goods retailers, multiple national vet groups with few independent clinics have joined this platform. Read more from Retaildive

A DTC brand named Parachute plans to branch out into the furniture category

ConsumerGeniuses November 1, 2021

Parachute, a direct-to-customer bedding brand, received significant demand for the home category during the past year. Currently, the brand is planning to expand into the furniture category, which is its sixth category expansion in the past three years. Initially, the DTC brand would be offering bed frames to its consumers. The collection of bedding frames would be available at the stores and online. Parachute plans to add more furniture items to the home collection in the early months of 2022. Read more from Retaildive

Millennial consumers have upsurged the demand for DTC brands

ConsumerGeniuses November 1, 2021

In recent months, millennial purchasers have driven an ascent in shopping with direct-to-consumer companies globally. A DTC e-commerce expert, Eshopworld, claims that a greater number of consumers aged between 25 to 34 years prioritize buying from DTC international brands. Overall 52% of customers and 58% aged between 25 to 44 years shopped online because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Post-pandemic, almost three-fourths (71%) of consumers intend to shop from DTC brands through a blend of offline and online platforms. Read more from Retaildive

PepsiCo Beverage deploys wearable devices after it reduced injuries among Frito-Lay employees

ConsumerGeniuses November 1, 2021

The kinetics’ Reflex wearable device has reduced the lost work time of PepsiCo Frito-Lay employees by 67% in the first two quarters. This is the reason why PepsiCo has deployed wearable technology into its beverage division as well. The wearable device has reduced strain and sprain injuries among Frito-Lay employees by 19%. Plus, it alerts employees when they bend or twist in improper posture. Under a four-year program, PepsiCo Beverages plans to deploy thousands of kinetic wearable devices to avoid injuries and sprains. Read more from Fooddive

Givaudan expands it DTC strategies by acquiring The Color House, DDW

ConsumerGeniuses November 1, 2021

Givaudan, an ingredient manufacturer, has declared to acquire DDW, an American Natural Color House. This Natural Color House has 12 R&D and manufacturing facilities across the world. DDW is a recognized name in the food and beverage industry famous for its Caramel and Natural Colours. DDW has generated about $140 million worth of sales for Givaudan in 2020. Zion Market Research Firm shows that the natural food colour market would globally reach up to $3 billion by 2028. Natural food colours have gained worldwide popularity as consumers of the CPG industry are inclined towards better-for-you offerings. Read more from Fooddive

Nestle rolls out its afternoon pick-me-up snack in two irresistible flavours

ConsumerGeniuses November 1, 2021

Nestle is rolling out its Rallies Nut Butter Bombs made with nut butter and creamy chocolate. These bombs are currently available in two flavours, including Brownie Almond Butter and the other one is Salted Cashew Butter. However, the company plans to launch the bar in Raspberry Peanut Butter flavour in early 2022. The snacks are claimed to be an afternoon pick-me-up or a reward for food lovers. According to the world’s largest food manufacturers, Nestle’s Nut Butter Bombs are low-sugar and free from artificial flavours, preservatives or colour. Read more from Fooddive

PepsiCo invests to launch its Dallas and Barcelo-based digital hubs

ConsumerGeniuses November 1, 2021

PepsiCo Inc. is establishing its digital hubs in Dallas and Barcelo. These hubs would promote and advance the company’s AI, machine learning and predictive analytics models. The Dallas hub would manage PepsiCo Foods North America and PepsiCo Beverages North America. The European hub would serve as PepsiCo Center of Excellence for Global Digitalization priority programs. These hubs would provide 500 job opportunities. The Digital Hubs aim to improve customer access and inventory data. Plus, they would offer decision-making tools to employees so that they deal with complex matters with efficiency. Read more from Foodbusinessnews

The Puratos Group leads towards expansion as it acquires Schobbers

ConsumerGeniuses November 1, 2021

The Puratos Group has acquired Schobbers, a Netherland-based seed supplying firm. In the baking industry, Schobbers is a recognizable name famous for its seeds, kernels, ancient grains and flakes gathered from around the globe. The items are cleaned, roasted and packed in the Schobbers facility in Venlo, The Netherlands. The brand supplies its items to snack manufacturers, confectioners, bakeries and foodservice outlets. Schobbers will continue making quality-driven products in its Venlo facility under the name Puratos Schobbers. Read more from Foodbusinessnews

P&G sales surged up following the $100 million investment in advertising

ConsumerGeniuses November 1, 2021

Procter & Gamble’s sales increased by 9% to $19.3 billion in the first quarter of 2021. The company’s e-commerce sales accelerated by 50% in this quarter which consequently constitutes 11% to 12% of its total sales. The brand increased the budget for marketing to $100 million while cutting media, production, and agency expenditures. P&G keeps on reducing expenses and is reinvesting in advertisements as the organization sees flooding sales of items, particularly from cleaning, wellbeing and cleanliness categories. Read more from Marketingdive

Mondelēz rolled out its vegan Cadbury Plant Bar

ConsumerGeniuses November 1, 2021

Mondelēz has rolled out its plant-based chocolate bar, the Cadbury Plant Bar. The bar holds its creamy taste by supplanting milk with almond paste. The Cadbury Plant Bar has initially launched in the UK and Ireland, while the Chicago-based company would soon launch it in the US. This bar has motivated Hershey, Nestle, and Mars to enter into the plant-based alternative category as consumers do not prioritize buying products made with animal-based ingredients. Read more from Fooddive

The world’s first chickpea-based textured protein is introduced by InnovoPro

ConsumerGeniuses November 1, 2021

InnovoPro, an Israel-based food technology firm, has introduced the world’s first textured vegetable protein made from chickpeas. The chickpea-based textured protein would be gluten-free, allergen-free, and soy-free. InnovoPro claims that the tasty, textured protein can be utilized to make healthier plant-based meat recipes. The company says that the product has an “unmatched neutral taste and fibrous texture similar to real meat.” This delicious protein alternative has also been selected by Switzerland’s largest retail company Migros. Read more from Fooddive

5-hour Energy Shot rolled out its 16-ounce Energy Drink

ConsumerGeniuses November 1, 2021

5-hour Energy Shot has rolled out its full-sized carbonated energy drink. The brand would offer this 16-ounce energy drink in three famous flavours, including Grape, Berry, and Watermelon. The Energy Drink is available nationwide through online platforms and independent beverage distributors. Consumers can get the new 5-hour Energy from more than 250,000 retail locations. 5-hour Energy Shot has 90% of the market share in the Energy Shot category, making it the underdog of the competitive environment. Read more from Fooddive

Bonumose and Hershey collaborated to venture into a new R&D and manufacturing facility

ConsumerGeniuses November 1, 2021

Bonumose, a rare sugar maker, has collaborated with Hershey’s to venture into a new $27.2 R&D and manufacturing facility in Virginia, near Charlottesville. The office would offer 64 new job opportunities to potential candidates. The new space would be utilized by Bonumose to discover rare sugars that can be used in snacks. Plus, the company would manufacture low-sugar snacks and confections for Hershey. According to the IRI data, only 6% of candies, gums, and mints are made up of better-for-you ingredients. While FONA Internationals claim that half of the 24 years old consumers want to reduce their sugar intake. This collaboration would offer ethically sourced products that would help consumers reduce their sugar intake. Read more from Fooddive

Banza joined hands with Beyond Meat and Follow Your Heart to offer pizza alternatives

ConsumerGeniuses November 1, 2021

Banza, a New York-based food manufacturer, offers food made from chickpeas. Initially, the company rolled out delicious alternatives for pasta and then expanded to the rice category in 2019. Currently, they have branched out to the pizza category and offer plant-based toppings in partnership with Beyond Meat and Danone’s Follow Your Heart. One of the supreme flavours introduced by the company uses Beyond Meat sausage Italian Crumbles and dairy cheese. The other topping has plant-based cheese from Danone and a vegan pie in its recipe. Read more from Fooddive