In this episode:

Fresh off of BevNET Live in Marina del Rey, Calif., the CPG Week podcast team jumps right back into the big M&A stories of the week. Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous walks the group through the Kroger-Albertsons failed merger and the fallout from it. Then, the team goes on to talk about Mondelēz’s second attempt to acquire Hershey. Finally, senior reporter Lukas Southard describes frozen potato product maker Lamb Weston’s recent problems and potential acquisition suitors.

NOTE: This episode was recorded before news broke of Post Holdings’ acquisition of Potato Products of Idaho.

Show Highlights:

0:30 - The CPG Week team recap their favorite moments from BevNET Live Winter 2024, which wrapped up last week.

4:30 - Find out how the planned merger of Kroger and Albertsons finally fell apart, why it’s not too surprising and what happens now.

9:45 - For the second time, Mondelēz has made an offer to acquire Hershey, and once again the deal has been rejected. Monica explains what has happened so far and why it might not have been such a bad deal for the chocolate maker, which is facing steep cocoa prices.

12:45 - Lukas tells the team about frozen potato food maker Lamb Weston’s struggles with activist investors and a class action lawsuit – and why it is drawing the attention of potential acquirers.

About CPG Week

CPG Week is the podcast that explores the latest happenings in the consumer packaged goods industry. Join our seasoned reporting team as they dish out the week’s stories in quick, easy-to-digest episodes. Catch up on the top headlines of the week, dive into exclusive insights with the BevNET and Nosh teams, and set yourself up to make more informed business decisions. Tune in to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the dynamic world of packaged food and beverage.

New episodes are released every week. Send us comments and suggestions anytime to [email protected].

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts

In this episode:

Nosh Live might have wrapped up last Friday in Marina Del Rey, Calif., after multiple days packed with great presentations, lively conversations and amazing networking opportunities. The CPG Week team sat down earlier in the week to chat about all their favorite moments from the two-day event. Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous and senior reporters Brad Avery and Lukas Southard talked about the Pitch Slam, the speakers and the new tattoos some team members got on their day off.

Show Highlights:

0:30 - The podcast kicks off with the hosts’ general impressions of the two-day conference including their love of Lexington Bakes brownies, POM Wonderful’s ingredient innovation and tattoos.

4:30 - The group talks about some of the Pitch Slam presentations. They discuss common themes in the brand pitches and some of the feedback founders received from the judges.

9:45 - The team discusses how there was a common theme running through many panels and on-stage content that spoke to platforming as well as when and how to bring innovation to market in a company’s lifecycle.

17:00 - The podcast finishes up with a quick chat about Lukas’ newfound appreciation for Erewhon’s exorbitantly priced smoothies. 

About CPG Week

CPG Week is the podcast that explores the latest happenings in the consumer packaged goods industry. Join our seasoned reporting team as they dish out the week’s stories in quick, easy-to-digest episodes. Catch up on the top headlines of the week, dive into exclusive insights with the BevNET and Nosh teams, and set yourself up to make more informed business decisions. Tune in to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the dynamic world of packaged food and beverage.

New episodes are released every week. Send us comments and suggestions anytime to [email protected].

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts

In this episode:

It’s that time of year and the red-and-white is not in honor of Santa’s impending sleigh ride around the world. It’s time for BevNET Live and the CPG Week podcast team took some time out of preparing for both Nosh Live and BevNET Live to discuss some of the exciting speakers and panels taking place Dec. 8 and 9 in Marina Del Rey, Calif. Along with respective speaker discussions focused on retailing THC beverages and innovative marketing strategies, the team also talks about buying expensive Erewhon smoothies and getting tattoos.

For listeners looking to tune into either Nosh Live or BevNET, both events will be live-streamed online or available on-demand for Insiders.

About the CPG Week

CPG Week is the podcast that explores the latest happenings in the consumer packaged goods industry. Join our seasoned reporting team as they dish out the week’s stories in quick, easy-to-digest episodes. Catch up on the top headlines of the week, dive into exclusive insights with the BevNET and Nosh teams, and set yourself up to make more informed business decisions. Tune in to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the dynamic world of packaged food and beverage.

New episodes are released every week. Send us comments and suggestions anytime to [email protected].

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts

In this episode:

The CPG Week podcast has taken the week off to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday.

Stay tuned next week for a teaser of Nosh Live on Dec. 5-6 and BevNET Live Dec. 8-10 in Marina Del Rey, California. Both events will be live-streamed online or available on-demand for Insiders.

About the CPG Week

CPG Week is the podcast that explores the latest happenings in the consumer packaged goods industry. Join our seasoned reporting team as they dish out the week’s stories in quick, easy-to-digest episodes. Catch up on the top headlines of the week, dive into exclusive insights with the BevNET and Nosh teams, and set yourself up to make more informed business decisions. Tune in to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the dynamic world of packaged food and beverage.

New episodes are released every week. Send us comments and suggestions anytime to [email protected].

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts

In this episode:

On CPG Week, the podcast team talks about Danone’s repeated attempts to acquire kefir brand Lifeway Foods and a pending lawsuit pitting an ice cream brand against its parent company.

The podcast begins with a conversation about Pizza Hut, tomato wine and why Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous has a soft spot for the pizza chain’s salad bar. The team goes on to discuss Danone North America’s offers to acquire kefir brand Lifeway Foods and how it relates to the family battle surrounding the company. Then, the hosts discuss a lawsuit filed by Ben & Jerry’s against its owner, Unilever.

Show Highlights:

0:30 - The group discusses the potential drinkability of Pizza Hut’s Pizza Wine launch and Brad’s love of banana pepper and pineapple-laden pies.

3:30 - Lukas explains the back-and-forth that has taken place in the last two months between Lifeway Foods and its minority shareholder Danone North America, which has offered two bids to acquire the kefir brand.

5:15 - Brad provides some background on the feud between Lifeway’s controlling family, the Smolyanskys.

7:15 - The team discusses why Lifeway Foods thinks Danone’s offers are undervaluing the probiotic dairy company. (Since recording the episode, Lifeway has rejected the second acquisition offer).

9:00 - Monica describes why Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream is suing its parent company Unilever and how it sets up a fraught conversation over business versus mission in relation to the war in Gaza.

About the CPG Week

CPG Week is the podcast that explores the latest happenings in the consumer packaged goods industry. Join our seasoned reporting team as they dish out the week’s stories in quick, easy-to-digest episodes. Catch up on the top headlines of the week, dive into exclusive insights with the BevNET and Nosh teams, and set yourself up to make more informed business decisions. Tune in to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the dynamic world of packaged food and beverage.

New episodes are released every week. Send us comments and suggestions anytime to [email protected].

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts

In this episode:

On CPG Week, the podcast team talks about the impact of Hurricane Helene on North Carolina CPG businesses and a slate of small brands shutting down.

Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous and senior reporter Lukas Southard are joined by reporter Adrianne DeLuca this week in a conversation that begins with a look at how businesses are picking up the pieces after hurricane season. Then, the group walks through the most recent CPG business closures before a brief discussion about how inclusive hiring practices can build stronger workforces.

Show Highlights:

0:30 - The team talks about what they are excited for as they prepare for BevNET and Nosh Live in less than a month.

2:00 - It’s been about a month and half since Hurricane Helene devastated the southern Appalachia region. Learn how some CPG companies have tried to restart operations and rebuild their businesses after flooding, lack of utilities and downed trees impacted the local economy.

8:45 - Adrianne explains what happened at plant-based meat company No Evil and vertical farming operation Bowery Farms, which both announced they were closing recently.

10:30 - The closures also come as frozen treat maker Marco has shut down operations after a recall at its co-manufacturing facility created too many challenges to overcome. Monica goes on to compare these shutdowns to a recent report from SciFi Foods former founders called Graceful Exit.

13:00 - On a more positive side, Adrianne discusses her story about inclusive hiring practices implemented by some CPG companies.

About the CPG Week

CPG Week is the podcast that explores the latest happenings in the consumer packaged goods industry. Join our seasoned reporting team as they dish out the week’s stories in quick, easy-to-digest episodes. Catch up on the top headlines of the week, dive into exclusive insights with the BevNET and Nosh teams, and set yourself up to make more informed business decisions. Tune in to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the dynamic world of packaged food and beverage.

New episodes are released every week. Send us comments and suggestions anytime to [email protected].

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts

In this episode:

On CPG Week, the podcast team talks about Celsius’ aspirations to go vertical and a variety of smaller acquisitions across food that nod to trends in M&A markets.

The group starts by discussing Celsius’ acquisition of the brand’s manufacturing partner Big Beverage’s production facility. Then, the group goes on to dive into acquisitions across various food categories, from protein bars to pizza dough. They discuss why these deals represent a growing trend of scaling through consolidation.

Show Highlights:

0:30 - The team discussed beverage samples from House of Cha, Bear n’ Beaver and Magic Cactus.

4:30 - How do energy brands compete in an increasingly crowded category? Senior reporter Brad Avery explains why Celsius’ answer is vertical integration with the acquisition of Big Beverage’s North Carolina manufacturing facility.

7:30 - In the past week, senior reporter Lukas Southard wrote about two acquisition deals: FITCRUNCH was added to 1440 Foods’ portfolio and Pipcorn and Spudsy came together in a new entity called UpSnack Brands. 

11:15 - Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous and Brad go over two other deals involving Del Real Foods and DeIorio Foods, respectively.

13:00 - The group discusses why these various deals show a trend in M&A markets. Monica shares how that relates to insight given in a recent CoBank report.

About the CPG Week

CPG Week is the podcast that explores the latest happenings in the consumer packaged goods industry. Join our seasoned reporting team as they dish out the week’s stories in quick, easy-to-digest episodes. Catch up on the top headlines of the week, dive into exclusive insights with the BevNET and Nosh teams, and set yourself up to make more informed business decisions. Tune in to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the dynamic world of packaged food and beverage.

New episodes are released every week. Send us comments and suggestions anytime to [email protected].

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts

In this episode:

On CPG Week, the podcast team talks about Keurig Dr Pepper’s (KDP) acquisition of GHOST Energy, Olipop’s sports sponsorship ambitions and a look at Whole Foods Market’s Trend Forecast.

After briefly discussing Thanksgiving side dishes, the CPG Week team unpacks KDP’s nearly $1 billion deal to acquire GHOST. Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous and senior reporters Brad Avery and Lukas Southard discuss how this deal could change the energy drink category and distribution partnerships. The team moves on to Olipop’s growing portfolio of sports team partnerships and how it is becoming a formula for disrupting a category. Monica wraps up the show with a brief explanation of the Whole Foods 2025 trends list.

Show Highlights:

0:30 - Is lighting a candle scented as green bean casserole the best way to usher in the holiday season? The team debates Thanksgiving dishes and whether they should be part of Campbell’s new holiday-themed candle campaign.

1:45 - Brad explains why the news of KDP acquiring GHOST was somewhat surprising and how this fits into the beverage maker’s aim to build a suite of energy drinks and supplements.

4:45 - What does this deal mean for distribution in the energy category and the current appetite for bigger M&A deals? 

7:30 - Prebiotic soda brand Olipop has lined up a series of sports partnerships with professional teams and in arenas and stadiums. The group discusses why these deals are becoming a common avenue for emerging brands to gain awareness while also testing the waters by going head-to-head with Big Soda strategics.

14:00 - What trends will shape 2025? Monica runs through Whole Foods Market’s list of predictions.

About the CPG Week

CPG Week is the podcast that explores the latest happenings in the consumer packaged goods industry. Join our seasoned reporting team as they dish out the week’s stories in quick, easy-to-digest episodes. Catch up on the top headlines of the week, dive into exclusive insights with the BevNET and Nosh teams, and set yourself up to make more informed business decisions. Tune in to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the dynamic world of packaged food and beverage.

New episodes are released every week. Send us comments and suggestions anytime to [email protected].

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts

In this episode:

On CPG Week, the podcast team talks about a bubbling controversy in boba, Jack Owoc’s return to energy and an update from this year’s National Association of Convenience Stores’ (NACS) yearly conference.

This week, senior reporters Brad Avery and Lukas Southard were joined by BevNET managing editor Martín Caballero. The group starts the podcast talking about how actor Simu Liu sparked a viral conversation about cultural appropriation centered on bubble tea. The podcasters go on to chat about Jack Owoc’s new caffeinated beverage Ai Energy. Marty goes on to discuss some of the trends he was tracking at this year’s NACS show in Las Vegas.

Show Highlights:

0:30 - Boba takes center stage in a conversation about appropriation versus appreciation. Lukas explains why an episode of Canada’s “Dragon’s Den” television show with Simu Liu sparked the debate. Brad and Marty weigh in on why this is not the first nor the last time the team will discuss the issue. 

8:30 - Brad details former Bang Energy founder Jack Owoc’s new AI-powered energy beverage.

11:00 - How is coffee blending into the energy category? Marty shares what he saw in this trend at this year’s NACS show and why it is telling of the ceiling in RTD coffee.

16:30 - Along with energy drinks, Marty also saw a lot happening in carbonated soft drinks at the show. He explains why better-for-you soda is driving innovation in the category.

About the CPG Week

CPG Week is the podcast that explores the latest happenings in the consumer packaged goods industry. Join our seasoned reporting team as they dish out the week’s stories in quick, easy-to-digest episodes. Catch up on the top headlines of the week, dive into exclusive insights with the BevNET and Nosh teams, and set yourself up to make more informed business decisions. Tune in to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the dynamic world of packaged food and beverage.

New episodes are released every week. Send us comments and suggestions anytime to [email protected].

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts

In this episode:

On CPG Week, the podcast team talks about how retaliatory tariffs are plaguing the export market for American craft distillers.

Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous and senior reporters Lukas Southard and Brad Avery are joined by special guest BevNET spirits editor Ferron Salniker to discuss a recent feature she wrote about how craft distillers have been pulled into a long simmering trade war. The group discusses the history of export taxes on American-made products, the impending reinstatement of various tariffs that impact liquor makers and what the potential impact could be on smaller producers.

Show Highlights:

0:30 - What does an espresso turkey-tini taste like? The group discussed their thoughts on the Thanksgiving-themed marketing campaign from Reynolds Wrap.

2:00 - As the presidential election comes to a head, both campaigns are talking about tariffs. Ferron explains why this conversation is especially important for the country’s craft distilling industry.

4:45 - Ferron explains how craft distillers are preparing for the tariffs to go back into effect in March 2025 and how it relates to a series of retaliatory tariffs that have rocked global exports of spirits among many other products unrelated to beverage.

10:15 - How does this relate to an overstock of American whiskey and the increased demand that has developed over the last decade? Ferron helps the team understand the complicated relationship between craft distillers and the economics of operating in the export market.

About the CPG Week

CPG Week is the podcast that explores the latest happenings in the consumer packaged goods industry. Join our seasoned reporting team as they dish out the week’s stories in quick, easy-to-digest episodes. Catch up on the top headlines of the week, dive into exclusive insights with the BevNET and Nosh teams, and set yourself up to make more informed business decisions. Tune in to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the dynamic world of packaged food and beverage.

New episodes are released every week. Send us comments and suggestions anytime to [email protected].

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts