What if TikTok matters to your business more than Amazon?

On the latest Retail Sound Bites, we explore why TikTok has become one of the most powerful demand engines retail has ever seen.

Featuring Jordan Kremm and Steve Light of L&R Distributors, this episode breaks down how TikTok Shop is reshaping product discovery across generations, why brands are launching on TikTok first, then scaling to retail, how viral moments translate into real, measurable in-store sales, and where most brands are getting TikTok wrong.

Have a topic you'd like us to cover? Contact us at Kantar's Retail Sound Bites Podcast.

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What did NACDS really reveal this year?

In this Retail Sound Bites episode, Rachel Dalton, Leigh O'Donnell, and Barry Thomas share their candid take on the trends, tensions, and leadership moments shaping drug retail right now.

In this conversation, Rachel Dalton, Leigh O'Donnell, and Barry Thomas look beyond the conference agenda to unpack what NACDS really revealed about the state of drug retail. From the implications of GLP‑1 to how retailers are approaching AI adoption, the role of food as medicine, and the push toward more personalized treatment and experiences for shoppers, the discussion connects macro themes to on‑the‑ground reality.

Want more learnings from NACDS 2026? Access NACDS 2026: Kantar's top 8 retail healthcare headlines.

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In this episode of Retail Sound Bites, Barry Thomas and Rachel Dalton welcome back Andy Murray, former Executive Chairman of Saatchi & Saatchi X and CEO of BigQuest Advisory, to discuss the future of AI through the lens of original research titled Minds on the Machine.

Based on insights from graduating seniors at the University of Arkansas' Walton College of Business, the conversation reveals a strong theme of pragmatic optimism. While students recognize AI's growing role across industries, they are deeply focused on preserving human judgment, creativity, and connection. Andy explains why taste and judgment remain the true human advantage as AI becomes more efficient yet increasingly homogeneous.

The episode explores agentic AI, the future of marketing and commerce, and why brands and retailers must invest not only in technology, but equally in developing human capabilities to thrive in an AI‑enabled world.

Have a topic you'd like us to cover? Contact us at Kantar's Retail Sound Bites Podcast.

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Retail buying groups are reshaping the balance of power in Europe's grocery landscape.

In this episode of Retail Sound Bites, Barry Thomas and Rachel Dalton are joined by Paida Mugudubi to unpack how buying groups work, why they've grown so influential across Europe, and what they mean for brands navigating pricing, negotiations, private label, and retail media in a world where "nothing stays local."

Have a topic you'd like us to cover? Contact us at Kantar's Retail Sound Bites Podcast.

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Retail Sound Bites marks a major milestone with its 100th episode, celebrating four years of conversations at the intersection of retail, CPG, and commerce transformation. Hosts Barry Thomas and Rachel Dalton kick off the episode by reflecting on the journey so far and spotlighting the top 10 most‑listened‑to episodes from the past four years.

The episode also features Ted Riedel, President of Kantar's North American Retail Practice, and James May, EVP of CPG & Hospitality. In a fast‑paced, candid conversation, they explore:

· How modern health, GLP‑1s, and protein‑led innovation are reshaping portfolios

· Why agentic commerce, AI, and algorithmic decision‑making are the next frontier

· The evolving, often fractured but interdependent relationship between brands and retailers

· Which KPIs matter less today and why incrementality, precision, and proprietary data matter more

· What it really takes to future‑proof a CPG organization in 2026 and beyond

Have a topic you'd like us to cover? Contact us at Kantar's Retail Sound Bites Podcast.

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What will value really mean for food and beverage in 2026?

On the latest episode of Retail Sound Bites, Barry Thomas and Rachel Dalton sit down with Brian Choi, CEO of The Food Institute, to unpack the forces reshaping the industry, including deeply value‑obsessed consumer to the rise of challenger brands and experience‑led innovation.

🎙️ Key takeaways from the conversation:

• Consumer confidence remains historically low, forcing brands to clearly justify price through either affordability or unmistakable quality
• Gen Z, Gen Alpha, and older shoppers are fragmenting demand, making one‑size‑fits‑all strategies obsolete
• Premiumization isn't disappearing, but it's migrating to value‑oriented retailers like Walmart and Costco
• 2026 is shaping up to be the Year of the Challenger Brand, with speed, authenticity, and flavor‑forward innovation winning
• Health, policy pressure, and global flavors are converging to redefine what "winning" products look like

If you're leading strategy in CPG, retail, or food service, this episode is a must‑listen.

Have a topic you'd like us to cover? Contact us at Kantar's Retail Sound Bites Podcast.

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In this episode of Retail Sound Bites, Barry and Rachel are joined by Amar Singh and David Marcotte for a rapid‑fire download on everything we saw, heard, and learned at NRF 2026: Retail's Big Show.

From global tech innovation to the rise of agentic commerce, frictionless checkout, robotics, synthetic data, and the power of creators, this episode is packed with the signals shaping the next era of retail.

Have a topic you'd like us to cover? Contact us at Kantar's Retail Sound Bites Podcast.

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In this episode of Retail Sound Bites, Jeff Maloy, vice president of retail, sales, and shopper, and Rohan Mazumdar, vice president of retail consulting, at Kantar, join hosts Rachel Dalton and Barry Thomas in a discussion about this year's PoweRanking® findings.

Kantar's PoweRanking® report is the industry's leading assessment of best-in-class manufacturers and retailers. In an annual survey, companies are ranked on a range of factors, from strategic metrics to business fundamentals, capturing input from several key industry leaders.

This year's report found that in a year defined by market fluctuation and growth challenges, "relevance" is key to joint retailer and manufacturer growth.

View the executive summary to understand how to win the relevance battle and learn strategic imperatives for 2026 and beyond.

Exclusive | NYC's Meadow Lane gourmet grocery debuts amid affordability crisis | New York Post​

First Walmart-branded store opens in Africa | Chain Store Age​

The AI trifecta transforming CPG and retail​

https://www.retaildive.com/news/winners-losers-black-friday-2025/806610/​

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