One of the fundamental tenets of innovation is that it has to solve a problem or need. But what if we were to think beyond the functional and the emotional needs? How can CPG products answer symbolic consumer needs, like belonging, differentiation, status and more? In our latest episode, Tamara and Stas discuss why we view cultural demand forecasting as the lynchpin to successful innovation, trendspotting and portfolio advisement. Download the free white paper: The C...

This week on the podcast we’re joined by our friend and colleague, Steve Markenson from FMI — The Food Industry Association, to talk all about the latest installment of FMI’s U.S. Grocery Shopper Trends report. Listen as we unpack the state of grocery shopping today: Why we might be witnessing “the end of the primary shopper” How shopper habits and sentiments have shifted (or stayed the same) as inflation persists What is driving shifts in the variety of stores shopped,...

Despite an oversaturated landscape of brand partnerships, celebrity endorsements remain a hot topic for both consumers and business professionals. Why? Because when those partnerships are done right, they can deliver some pretty buzz-worthy results. In this week’s podcast, our Hartman Retainer Services team breaks down everything you need to know about successful brand partnerships in the age of influencers and social media: How younger consumers have changed the conversation ar...

You may have seen the controversy around Alexandre Family Farms regarding allegations of mistreatment of cows and subsequent details regarding the validity of the claims and underlying motivations of those involved in the reporting. This got us thinking about a larger question: what are the lasting impacts of conflicting media information on consumer trust, and how can discerning organizations combat them? Listen to this week’s podcast for a fascinating discussion about how media...

Want a deeper understanding of the topics covered in our new Future of Snacking 2024 report? Hear directly from our lead researchers as they give a sneak peek of some interesting insights we uncovered, such as: How needs around Nourishment, Optimization, Pleasure and Distraction highlight a shift toward more intentional snacking choicesWhy taste goes beyond just flavor, and how different dimensions of taste play a role in the overall snacking experienceWhat consumers look for in terms o...

You’ve probably heard us talk about Hartman Retainer Services, or HRS, quite a bit. But you might still be wondering what kind of questions we can answer — and how detailed we can get (spoiler alert: very detailed!). On this week’s podcast, Rob and Alissa from our HRS team are breaking down some examples of recent client requests and the resulting deliverables, ranging from a deep dive on functional mushrooms to an analysis of evolving consumer needs within meat and seafood occasions. ...

Plus, what the Kroger-Albertson’s merger says about pricing, accessibility, variety, labor and more Businesses face significant pressure to predict market trends accurately — almost like having a crystal ball. Although seeing into the future is impossible, you can come very close with the right insights and cultural understanding. Hartman Group’s Futurecast 2024 helps guide you through discussions on major changes affecting consumer behavior so you can pinpoint trends and pocket...

We recently had the pleasure of hosting our friend Julie O’Brien, owner of Seattle-based Firefly Kitchens, for a Trend Trek at Hartman Group’s offices. Julie shared an impressive spread of gut-loving sauerkrauts, kimchis and tonics, and taught our team more about the delicate fermentation process behind them. In this week’s podcast, Robert and Melissa break down (pun intended) highlights and key learnings from the Trek: Our favorite bites and recipe ideas from the tastingThe bene...

In this week’s episode, Alissa and Danielle are giving our listeners an exclusive sneak-peek into our new Ideas in Food report. They discuss several emerging trends and their critical implications: The increasing importance of texture and how it can enhance taste Surprising ways sound influences our perception of food Backlash toward everything being marketed as healthy or functionalIdeas in Food focuses on the cultural roots of over a dozen trends and their implications for y...

The USDA organic certification is becoming table stakes, and many consumers are starting to recognize it may not be enough (more to come on this in our Q2 syndicated study). We sat down with Ted Robb, founder of New Barn Organics to chat all about the next evolution of organic. Nearly all New Barn’s products are Regenerative Organic Certified, including the first-ever ROC unsweetened almond milk. But their story goes much deeper than that. Ted shares an honest and inspiring persp...

This week we’re joined by Steve Markenson from FMI, The Food Industry Association, to discuss FMI’s ongoing work monitoring shopper attitudes and behaviors, plus a sneak peek of key findings from its latest wave of tracking: How have shopper concerns with food inflation evolved as of the end of 2023? How do shoppers feel about the year ahead, and what are their personal ambitions? What exposure have American adults had to AI-enabled tools like ChatGPT, and how do they want to ...

In this episode, our lead researchers discuss key topics from our latest study on Gen Z and Gen Alpha: Gen Alpha (ages 0-12): How parents are shaping food habits and personal valuesExposure to diverse tastes and textures Proactive approaches to social media and technologyGen Z (ages 13-26): Digital connection and food “hacking” cultureHow food and lifestyle choices are intrinsically linked to over-arching values Where there’s opportunity for brands to connectListen now The Tas...

A new year is full of promise…and long to-do lists. We know you’re busy, so we’re saving the data deep dives for future podcast episodes. To help us all ease back into our routines, our first 2024 installment of The Insatiable Appetite offers a few things to get excited about. Join us as we chat about new four-legged family members, professional goals, and new tech developments here at The Hartman Group. If you like these insights, subscribe to our free weekly email newsletter...

As GLP-1 weight loss drugs like Ozempic gain attention and popularity, some suggest that it could impact everything from the alcohol sector to health and wellness products. Listen in as our analysts discuss the genesis of these drugs, dispel some myths, and hypothesize how your business may need to adapt. If you like these insights, subscribe to our free weekly email newsletter where we share data-packed infographics, insightful articles, food & beverage industry trends and more.

Consumers are just beginning to make the connection between healthy soil and healthy humans, leaving many food and beverage companies wondering how to start incorporating regenerative practices. If you can relate, this week’s podcast is for you! Elizabeth Whitlow, Executive Director of the Regenerative Organic Alliance, demystifies the who, what, why, and how behind regenerative agriculture and the Regenerative Organic Certification in our latest episode. Spoiler al...

With all the buzz around Gen Z and Gen Alpha lately, it’s understandable if your team is eager to answer the question: “How do we reach them?” In this week’s podcast, our lead researchers challenge you to consider a different question first: “WHY it is so critical for food and beverage companies to understand these consumers?” From our POV, companies that can answer this question correctly will have a competitive advantage on: Crafting products that resonate on multiple ...

There are 340 million people in the U.S., and those people engage in a whopping 500 billion eating occasions each year. The tricky thing about eating occasions? They’re pretty much invisible… Unless you know how to illuminate them. We sat down with David Feit, our VP of Strategic Insights and resident occasion-based sampling expert, to make sense of this mysterious sampling method in our latest podcast episode. Listen in to learn: What makes occasion-based samples so complex, and how ...

Our latest sustainability study found that 78% of consumers are concerned about single-use plastics, and 84% want companies to take the lead in developing more sustainable packaging solutions. Manufacturers— especially those that primarily use plastic packaging — have both an opportunity and responsibility to build consumer trust by making both their production and packaging more sustainable. Learn how the established beverage brand, Talking Rain, is aligning its sustainabilit...

“Sustainability” has become an increasingly nuanced and complex topic over the years, leaving many food and beverage companies searching for answers. We’re addressing some of the hottest topics from our newly-released report, Sustainability 2023: Making Things Personal, in this week’s podcast: Who consumers view as responsible for specific concerns, from climate change to food waste; pollution to labor practices How to alleviate consumers’ frustrations around sustainable packaging...

How to authentically market sustainability efforts When it comes to your ESG efforts, the old adage rings true: honesty is the best policy. The good news is that you don’t have to have it all figured out — but you do have to show and tell. Rather than getting caught up on all the challenges food and beverage companies are facing with sustainability right now, we’re highlighting some practical paths forward in this week’s podcast. Learn how to harnes...