The Insatiable Appetite

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, t...

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)...

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...

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 co...

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 choices Why taste goes beyond just flavor, and how different dimensi...

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 function...

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 discussi...

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...

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 functional Ideas in F...

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 mil...

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 exposur...

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 values Exposure to diverse tastes and textures  Proactive approaches to social media and technology Gen Z (ages 13-26): Digital connection and food “hacking” culture How food and lifestyle choices are intrinsically linked to...

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 Hartma...

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...

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...

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...

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 po...

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.  ...

“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...

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...

Ever wonder how to reconcile what consumers say and think with how they're actually behaving? The answer lies in understanding how they interact with culture.  Listen to our latest podcast to learn how semiotics can: Fuel culture-led strategies Unlock blue ocean innovation Help you create passionate and bold messaging that inspires consumers Dive even deeper into the application of semiotics...

What do a pandemic-forced restaurant shutdown, celebrities, Vikings meditating with cows, and the American dream all have in common? They’re all part of the Thor’s Skyr brand origin story.  In this fascinating discussion with the Icelandic skyr company’s founder, Unnar Danielsson, we touch on brand authenticity, reimagining locale, and a host of other topics:  Sustainable, high-quality ingredient...

Sustainability is not a fad. It's a long-term value that consumers across a wide variety of demographics are resonating with. But consumers don't expect you to be perfect in your quest for better practices. Instead, they’re looking for authentic effort and transparency around your goals. Listen to an insightful Q&A with our CEO, Laurie Demeritt, about seven crucial sustainability con...

You read that right: nearly one quarter of all US adult eating occasions involve restaurant sourcing, which points to plentiful opportunities for both foodservice providers and their competitors.  But restaurant occasion priorities are dynamic and complex. For example, health was historically at the bottom of consumers’ priorities when dining out. But recently freshness, health and sustainability...

Taste. Hydration. Nutrition. Experience. Energy. Pairing. These core beverage needs help illuminate the “why” behind consumer purchasing choices.   But there are at least 40 other needs that fall under each of these categories, adding dimension and complexity to the already dizzying beverage landscape. Lead researchers Judi Harris and Danielle Kleiner-Kanter offer deeper insight into the Hartman G...