As the largest proposed supermarket merger in U.S. history remains expectedly tied up because of an ongoing FTC antitrust lawsuit, it’s totally understandable that speculation continues to build around if a combined Kroger-Albertsons will have a significant effect on how CPG brands do business with the new retailer. And while I have a multitude of my own theories of how this mega-merger plays out, worrying about my version of the future isn’t as actionable as hearing today’s reality directly from source. That’s why I asked the VP of National Merchandising at Albertsons Companies, Buster Houston, to breakdown many important “art and science” aspects of the grocer’s merchandising strategy…including his “locally great and nationally strong” metric. We also talked through how startup CPG brands can improve their attractiveness when trying to court Albertsons, but also what it takes to outperform competitors when given store placements. Additionally, we run through a few recent standout CPG brands that exceeded expectations…including how the grocer partnered with Mr. Beast for one of his most viral YouTube videos. Our conversation was fast-paced, entertaining, and filled with lots of insights…so I hope you enjoy.