William White

🍚 What’s the Right Price for Convenience? Shopper Willingness to Pay for Pre-Cooked Rice in the U.S. From college dorms to weekday lunches, ready-to-eat rice has become a pantry staple. But how much are shoppers really willing to pay for the convenience? Let’s unpack what the market is telling us. 📊 Today’s National Pricing Landscape Across major retailers, here’s what we’re seeing: • Minute Rice (8.8 oz pouch) – $2.39 → ~27¢/oz • Minute Rice (28 oz box) – $2.99 → ~20¢/oz • Success Boil-in-Bag (32 oz) – $5.79 → ~18¢/oz • Ben’s Original / Uncle Ben’s Ready Rice (historical avg) – ~$1.00 per bowl (~8 oz) → ~12–15¢/oz And yes, prices are creeping higher. A bowl that once cost $1 is now closer to $1.60–$2.40, depending on brand and format. 🧠 What Shoppers Are Willing to Pay (WTP) • Most U.S. consumers expect $1.25–$1.75 for an 8 oz portion. • The tipping point? Around 30¢ per ounce. Cross that, and value perception drops fast—unless it’s backed by clear functional or premium cues (e.g., organic, jasmine, single-origin). 💡 RGM Implications 1️⃣ PPA Framing Matters. Shoppers rarely calculate price per ounce—but they do think in “per bowl” or “per serving.” A price of $1.99 for one pouch feels expensive unless labeled as a 2-serving pack or bundled for value. 2️⃣ Premium cues drive elasticity. Trader Joe’s Jasmine or Ben’s Original Basmati can command a premium. But shoppers need to see the why—clear flavor, health, or origin benefits. Otherwise, they trade down or out. 3️⃣ Promotions should drive trial, not just price cutbacks. • 2 for $3 or “Pantry Staples Deal Packs” outperform plain $1.50-off promos. • Bundling across meals (e.g., rice + frozen protein + sauce) creates value context. 📈 How Tools Like PriceAgent Help With PriceAgent, you can simulate elasticities, detect when pricing crosses shopper WTP thresholds, and analyze regional or retailer-specific differences—fast. You no longer need to wait 12 weeks for syndicated panel data. Pricing research is now real-time, dynamic, and democratized. 🎯 Takeaway for CPG teams: In center-store convenience categories, pricing above 30¢/oz needs a reason. Otherwise, expect velocity to slip. The sweet spot? Stay close to $1.50 per bowl unless you’re delivering clear differentiation. #PricingStrategy #RGM #WillingnessToPay #PriceAgent #PPA #MicrowaveMeals #PackagedFoods #RetailPricing #CPGInsights #TradePromotions #Elasticity #ShopperMarketing #ConsumerInsights #FoodInnovation #Ben’sOriginal #MinuteRice #TraderJoes

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Retail media continues to reshape how brands and retailers connect with shoppers. The Path to Purchase Institute’s Retail Media Summit returns June 2 to 4 in Chicago, bringing together senior leaders across CPG, retail, and technology to discuss strategy, measurement, and the next phase of commerce media innovation. More Information: https://lnkd.in/eZHzZbxZ

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Kroger is expanding its in-store retail media footprint, rolling out video screens in wine and spirits departments across nearly 600 stores through Looma. After a successful pilot, this move highlights the growing role of in-store media as a performance-driven channel that influences shoppers right at the point of decision. 84.51˚ Path to Purchase Institute #RetailMedia #InStoreMarketing

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Albertsons Media Collective is highlighting a real challenge in retail media measurement. Research with Ovative Group and Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management shows incremental #ROAS can vary significantly depending on methodology. It is a strong reminder that transparency and rigor in measurement matter more than ever. Worth taking a look. https://lnkd.in/eZQydjfK

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Walmart’s Q2 results are drawing mixed headlines, but they show acceleration across the areas that matter most to advertisers. Signals from this quarter: - Ad revenue +31% in the U.S., +46% globally (including Vizio) Walmart’s acquisition of VIZIO is now flowing into results, linking CTV with closed-loop attribution. Brands can plan top-of-funnel video and lower-funnel search in one ecosystem, measured directly against sales. This quarter, the numbers show advertisers clearly leaning in. - Same-day delivery volumes up ~50% Store-fulfilled delivery is up nearly 50%, and one-third of digital orders arrive within three hours. That fulfillment velocity creates new high-intent ad moments (shoppers checking their app for pickup readiness, adjusting baskets, planning quick replenishment orders). Lots of opportunity to align retail media with these moments and influence purchase decisions in real-time. - Global e-commerce +25% YoY E-commerce outside the U.S. grew +22%, while international advertising rose +15% (led by Flipkart). Walmart’s retail media flywheel is scaling internationally – and it's a chance for advertisers to test, learn, and replicate strategies across regions, with Walmart as a unifying partner. - Sam's Club e-commerce +26% Between Walmart, Sam’s Club, and Flipkart, Walmart has built a multi-faceted and international network that reaches diverse shopper segments. More places to activate retail media, more audiences to engage, and more opportunities to coordinate strategies across platforms. I think Q2 underscores the breadth of Walmart’s ecosystem and the pace at which it’s evolving. For advertisers, the challenge lies in tapping into that while staying agile to shopper and market dynamics.

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Brands shouldn’t have to hire 3rd parties to make sure their product is set correctly (or at all)- especially when chargebacks don’t go both ways. The biggest black hole in retail is the disconnect from merchants/executives at HQ, to in-store merchandising employees. KPI’s have to align better internally.

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Retailer-owned brands have been outpacing national brands for years—and that growth isn’t just a response to today’s economic pressures. What’s often overlooked is how much these products have evolved. Early retailer products, like A&P’s in the 1900s, were generic and low quality. By the 1980s, they were called “private label”—usually just cheaper versions of national brands. But today’s “owned brands” are something else entirely. These are unique, differentiated products that consumers actively prefer. Costco’s Kirkland, Target’s Good & Gather, Walmart’s BetterGoods, and Kroger’s Simple Truth aren’t just matching national brands—they’re beating them. Some have even become so successful they’re sold beyond their parent retailers or in international markets. Gartner recently predicted that by 2029, 50% of sales will be retailer owned brands.

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Industry Update: Harps Food Stores to Acquire Doc's Food Stores Harps Food Stores, Inc. has entered into a purchase agreement to acquire Doc's Food Stores Inc., an independent grocery retailer with multiple locations across Oklahoma. This merger brings together two companies known for their strong community focus and customer service excellence. The acquisition includes Doc's locations in Bixby, Collinsville, Coweta, Fairview, Glenpool, Newkirk, Okmulgee, Oologah, Sapulpa, and Watonga. The transaction is expected to be completed by this fall. From my interactions with both organizations at National Grocers Association and Oklahoma Grocers Association events, I've observed the exceptional leadership of Jim Brown, Courtney Brown, and Kim Eskew. These executives are genuinely passionate about serving their communities and prioritizing customer experience. Courtney Brown, President and CEO of Doc's Food Stores, has confirmed that store banners, employment, and operations across eastern Oklahoma will continue with minimal change or interruption. As Doc's approaches its 80th anniversary, Brown acknowledges that "this collaboration represents an incredible opportunity not only for our family and associates but also for the communities we serve." Kim Eskew, Chairman and CEO of Harps Food Stores, noted that "opportunities like this are rare" and expressed confidence that these locations will make a great addition to the Harps family. Founded in 1930, Harps has grown to become the largest employee-owned company in Arkansas with 148 stores across six states. This strategic acquisition aligns two organizations with similar values and commitment to community service. Source: The Shelby Report #RetailIndustry #HarpsFoodStores #DocsCountryMart #Frtline

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All great ideas (whether for a Tier 1 project innovation, a joint retail investment program or breakthrough creative) are insightful. And in my experience, great insights are rarely the regurgitation of something the consumer said in a focus group. This article has thoughtful perspective from the Simpactful insight experts who have spent their careers working with teams to uncover the building blocks necessary for truly impactful results.

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Chipotle’s new strategy highlights an emerging economic divide. The brand plans to increase prices but expects little backlash from its core consumer base earning over $100K annually. It’s a telling move that underscores how brands are tailoring strategies for the top end of the K‑shaped economy. 🍴💼 #Chipotle #BusinessStrategy #Economy #Pricing https://lnkd.in/eEawyvDx

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Train your body. Train your craft. Train your mind. The idea of being a “corporate athlete” isn’t a new one - but hearing it through the lens of a two-time Olympian brought it to life in such a meaningful way.🏅 This week, our Global Communications team at Walmart had the opportunity to learn from Dr. Nicole Davis, Olympian turned mindset coach, about how to reframe stress as a resource rather than a roadblock. She reminded us that stress - which can often feel like the enemy - is actually part of what helps us grow. When we see it as a challenge, it can energize us and lead to action that relieves the pressure. A few reflections that resonated with me: · Short-term stress is required for growth. · How we perceive stress can either deplete us or fuel us. It represents opportunity and is a resource for performance. · Peak performance isn’t just about effort - It’s equally about recovery so you have a full battery. She reminded us to prioritize recovery in a world-class way – sleep well, fuel well, move well and stress well. Thank you, Nicole, for sharing your perspective and helping us rethink how we show up for ourselves, our teams, and our work. What mindset shifts have helped you reframe stress into something positive?🌱 I’d love to hear what’s worked for you so I can share with my team as we climb even higher.

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ICYMI: Kroger, Albertsons, CVS expand their in-store media networks (EMARKETER): by Rachel Wolff. The trend: In-store retail media is emerging as a key focus for many retailers this year as they step up efforts to monetize store traffic and attract advertiser interest. Kroger plans to bring digital screens to more stores in 2026 following a successful pilot with tech provider Barrows, demonstrating its commitment to […] #DOOH #retailmedianetworks #digitalsignage

Fourth of a five-part series on evolving consumer demands in retail driven by technology, economic shifts, and changing preferences in 2025.

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🎧 Just Dropped: Shopper Matters Episode 4 – U.S. Grocery Shopper Trends 🎧 Listen in for a powerful conversation with FMI- The Food Industry Association’s VP of Research & Insights, Steve Markenson, unpacking the new 2025 U.S. Grocery Shopper Trends Report. Key Takeaways: --> Value is multidimensional. Beyond price shoppers are driven by quality, health, convenience, sustainability, and the in‑store experience. --> Shopper agency is real. Grocery remains one area where consumers feel they have financial control, staying intentional with food spending is a positive, budgeting choice. --> Loyalty is fluid. The average U.S. household visits 5 banners monthly, with 70% of their spending occurring at their primary store. Yet Gen Z and Millennials bounce between formats, while Boomers and Gen X show more loyalty. --> Omnichannel matters. Digital touchpoints, even for shoppers who don’t buy online, shape decision‑making. Seamless cross‑channel experiences are non‑negotiable. -->Segment by generation. Health, convenience, entertainment, and exploration rank highest, but their weight varies by age cohort. Strategic Implications: ✅ Retailers & brands must redefine value, infusing quality, wellness, and experience into messaging. ✅ Invest in omnichannel engagement, from digital ads to loyalty apps, even if buying remains in‑store. ✅ Stay ahead through continuous insights monitoring, not one‑and‑done annual studies. ✅ Tailor outreach by generational mindset—exploratory for younger shoppers, consistent and trusted for older. 👂 Let’s discuss—how are you adapting value, loyalty, and convenience in your store or brand strategy? Watch or listen 👇 and share your take in the comments. https://lnkd.in/ey7YH9iU #ShopperMarketing #Retailing #Insights #Podcast #Grocery #Trends

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There are important lessons for companies to learn from Pop Mart but consumer segmentation isn't one of them. Pop Mart defies traditional segmentation by focusing on what Joe Pine calls Markets Within. Join Aransas Savas, Joe, and I as we dive into why Pop Mart is so successful. We start by reviewing Yang Li's article in the Harvard Business Review. We draw different lessons. #HBR #PopMart #ExperienceStrategy

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Relying on historical data feels safe, but it often masks what’s actually changing underneath consumer behavior. When teams treat past outcomes as predictors, timing slips and decisions become reactive. This flip chart introduces a different lens—one that shifts forecasting from hindsight to understanding what’s actively shaping trends now. Swipe through for clarity.

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Such a fun opportunity to sit in the host seat this week to interview Walmart's Chief People Officer, Donna Morris, for her (Four)Ward Thinking video series. Check out the interview ⬇️ to hear her thoughts on AI, leadership and more.

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