In this episode:

On this episode, the CPG Week team discusses Bain & Company’s Insurgent Brands class of 2025. The group goes through similarities among new insurgent brands and how operators can derive successful growth strategies from Bain’s yearly list.

Show Highlights:

0:30 - It’s March Madness, so the podcasters chat about college hoops and Kellogg’s bracket challenge where a lucky contestant could win a year’s supply of one of the company’s cereal brands.

3:30 - Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous introduces how Bain classifies its Insurgent Brands list and what a scaling insurgent brand means.

7:15 - In many ways, the Insurgent Brands list is a temperature gauge of certain CPG categories and can be a bellwether of successful growth strategies.

8:45 - Eighteen of the brands in this year’s class of insurgent brands were also part of Bain’s emerging brands category. In total, there were 103 emerging brands this year.

11:00 – Monica and senior reporter Brad Avery point out that this list has grown over the years, showing not only trendsetting but also the pace of growth in many categories. 

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].

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In this episode:

On this episode of CPG Week, the team unpacks PepsiCo’s unsurprising acquisition of better-for-you soda brand Poppi. The podcasters break down what is known so far and what might be on the horizon for the gut-health soda set as a result of the deal.

Show Highlights:

1:00 - Diving right in, the CPG Week team launches into PepsiCo’s acquisition of Poppi. What does the “Popsi” deal, as Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous calls it, mean for the category moving forward? 

4:00 - The group discusses how this changes the trajectory of other soda strategics like Coca-Cola in the category.

7:30 - Senior reporter Lukas Southard flags how the deal could shift the category deeper into foodservice where competitor Olipop has been investing heavily. 

10:15 - Can Poppi continue to be cool within a large beverage conglomerate’s system? The podcast team discusses why Poppi has succeeded in making itself one of the most recognizable brands in the better-for-you soda set and whether it can maintain that image.

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

We're launching something BIG at BevNET, NOSH, and Brewbound, and you're invited to be the first to see it! Introducing Nombase — a new digital community and directory built for the CPG world.  Nombase connects CPG professionals with trusted industry partners, AI-powered insights, timely conversations, company announcements, and job opportunities — all in one place.  Join us for an exclusive overview, product demo, and info on how to take advantage of what Nombase has to offer you.

In this episode:

Hot honey, hot pink totes and hot takes. The CPG Week team is back from Anaheim and ready to discuss all the new things they saw at the yearly Natural Products Expo West show. From bubbling trends to maturing categories, the podcast hosts discuss protein popping up in everything, meat snacks, a further distancing from seed oils, next-gen sodas and the surprising innovation tasted within the convention halls.

Show Highlights:

0:30 - BevNET has launched its latest platform, Nombase, a centralized hub for the CPG industry with resources like a directory of over 10,000 brands and partners, job boards and a new place to post important company announcements.

2:15 - The team jumps into its Expo West recap discussing “Big Kefir,” protein snacks and surprising (and unsurprising) brand collaborations.

9:30 - Senior reporter Brad Avery talks about saturation of the better-for-you soda set and his impressions of Perfy’s Pepperoni Pizza and Cherry Cola flavors.

12:00 - The CPG Week hosts share what they heard from stakeholders about the impact of tariffs, supply chain issues and inflation they are expecting this year.

16:30 - One hot take being echoed in the wake of Expo West was a lack of innovation on the floor. The podcasters share the best innovations they tasted including candy-flavored dates, new bao buns and instant scrambled egg cups.

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:

The annual Natural Products Expo West trade show might spell tired feet and too much hand sanitizer for some, but it’s also one of the biggest events for new product unveils and a chance to take the temperature of the CPG industry. The podcast team discusses what they are looking out for at this year’s show.

Show Highlights:

0:45 - Along with treadmill weight-training and chugging kombucha, the CPG Week team talks about how they are preparing for this week’s big show. 

3:30 - Senior reporter Lukas Southard will be checking in on meat snack makers while also checking out the new better-for-you snack brand Wild Fox Foods, launched by the founders of Kevin’s Natural Foods.

5:00 - Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous will be keeping an eye out for some of the trends the team has been tracking in the last year including GLP-1 companions and seed oil-free products.

6:30 - Amid an uncertain trade landscape, senior reporter Brad Avery will be tracking what brands are saying about looming tariffs.

For more ways to prepare, check out last year’s Unofficial Guide to Expo West:

• Surviving (And Thriving) at Expo West: An Investor’s Perspective

• The ABCs of Expo West

• How to Stay Healthy, Safe and Sane at Expo West

• Expo Etiquette: From Hawkeye to Hijack

• No Booth? No Problem: Backpacking at Expo West

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:

The CPG Week team discusses the launch of a new soda line from sparkling water maker Spindrift just a month after its sale to a private equity group. Then, the group digs into the details of Celsius Holdings’ $1.8 billion acquisition of competitor Alani Nu and examines how the deal could impact distribution in the energy drink category as well as what the sale spells for prior owner (and PRIME maker) Congo Brands. 

Show Highlights:

0:30 - Pepperoni pizza soda – sip or spit? The group opines on Perfy’s limited-edition savory soft drink and why flavor novelty is a solid strategy for standing out in a crowded segment.

3:55 - And speaking of soda… Spindrift SODA is finally here. BevNET and Nosh senior reporter Brad Avery details the latest launch from sparkling water brand Spindrift just a month after its acquisition by Gryphon Investors.

7:40 - Celsius Holdings is set to acquire competitor Alani Nu for a cool $1.8 billion. Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous ponders how these two female-positioned beverage brands will benefit from the deal.

8:45 - Brad charts Alani Nu’s performance in the energy drink category compared to other emerging players.

9:10 - BevNET and Nosh senior reporter Lukas Southard questions how the deal will impact distribution, and Brad analyzes what the sale means for Alani Nu’s previous owner Congo Brands. 

 

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:

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is already making his mark on the food system just days after his confirmation as secretary of Health and Human Services. The CPG Week team discusses the big industry issues to watch during his tenure and some of the fallout already underway at the FDA.

While some of his ideas have pulled bipartisan support – like eliminating ultraprocessed foods and chemical additives from the food supply – these positions will put Kennedy in direct opposition with the interests of industry leaders and even that of the administration that selected him for the role.

Show Highlights:

0:30 - Could buying in Bitcoin protect chocolate makers amid the cocoa pricing chaos. BevNET and Nosh senior reporter Brad Avery explains why Mid-Day Squares is dabbling in cryptocurrency to secure its supply.

3:15 - BevNET and Nosh assistant managing editor Adrianne DeLuca shares why the head of FDA’s Human Foods program abandoned his post after just 18 months.

4:30 - Ultraprocessed foods are a hot button issue with Kennedy at the helm of the health department. Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous ponders how removing additives from the food supply could worsen already sky-high grocery prices.

7:30 - Raw milk has entered the chat. The group debates its origins and concerns about its safety. 

10:30 - How are industry trade groups and leaders reacting to Kennedy’s appointment? It’s a bit  mixed.

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:

Who doesn’t want a personal vending machine in their garage? The CPG Week talks about poppi’s recent publicity stunt and the backlash that has ensued before exploring how the CPG industry is evolving with convenience stores.

A recent CoBank report highlighted how foodservice is making an impact with consumers in c-stores. The CPG Week team explores how the channel is offering fresh opportunities and new challenges to food and beverage brands.

Show Highlights:

0:30 - There have been a lot of opinions about poppi’s vending machine marketing campaign that launched during the Super Bowl last weekend. The CPG Week team gives its takes. 

4:15 - Brad explains what he learned from a recent CoBank report about foodservice in the convenience channel. The group discusses how CPG brands are evolving with a shift in consumer buying behavior in the channel.

7:00 - How are next-generation brands adjusting strategy to better align with how consumers are using c-stores as food destinations as opposed to just a snack stop while filling the gas tank?

9:20 - Operating in the convenience channel is different than grocery retail. How are CPG operators prioritizing their distribution to meet a brand’s target audience? What does this mean for the larger food and beverage companies?

13:15 - The team discusses how the evolution of convenience stores towards better-for-you brands represents a recent shift in consumer behavior.

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:

Remember the U.S. craft distillers' consternation over a potential trade war? The CPG Week team is joined by BevNET Editor-in-Chief Jeff Klineman to understand how tariffs are impacting nearly all of the CPG industry after a whirlwind Monday paused the 25% import taxes on Mexican and Canadian products.

After a quick discussion about Super Bowl food and beverage choices, the group unravels how CPG brands from spirits to food makers to contract manufacturers are preparing for an uncertain future.

Show Highlights:

0:30 - This Sunday marks the annual February tradition of drinking beer and eating Buffalo wings while watching advertisements and famous musicians perform in the middle of a field (plus a bit of football). The group discusses whether they will be noshing on Kansas City BBQ or Philly cheesesteaks during the Super Bowl.

4:20 - Jeff explains why tariffs are an especially important topic for many U.S. CPG brands. He explains that it is not just concerning from a cost perspective but also impacts the long-term sales of American products abroad. 

7:30 - It goes deeper than raw ingredient sourcing for many brands but reverberates in other aspects of manufacturing like the equipment and machine parts that U.S. suppliers buy from China, Mexico and Canada.

9:30 - Brad talks about how potential tariffs could impact U.S. producers with aluminum pricing which is largely sourced from China and Canada.

11:00 - How are international brands reacting to the looming trade war? Some Canadian startups are weighing moving operations to the U.S. Jeff shares insights from supply chain experts about how brands can adapt to a fluid import environment.

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 likely not news to anyone who has bought groceries in the last two years that food costs are up. Due to environmental issues, supply chain challenges, tariffs and demand, eggs have become a quintessential example of why costs at the checkout will likely continue to be higher than most consumers would prefer. Household staples like eggs, cocoa and coffee are quickly turning into nonessentials for many grocery shoppers as inflation continues to plague the industry.

Show Highlights:

0:30 - Do sour candy and pickles mix? Monica asks the team if they would “chew or spew” Van Holten’s expanded LTO partnership with Warheads candy.

3:15 - Why are eggs so expensive these days and how is it reflective of the broader topic of grocery inflation? The team dives into why eggs might be expensive forever.

6:30 - How will the high cost of eggs and other household staples cause ripple effects throughout consumer buying behavior? The podcasters explain why prices won’t likely fall but might stabilize.

10:00 - It’s not just eggs that have been on an expensive rollercoaster ride. Coffee, cocoa and many other commodity shortages are impacting how CPG brands and consumers are adjusting to dynamic prices.

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