Consumer Code

In this LinkedIn Live event, Lyden is joined by Andrew Neelon, Ryan Redus, and Dale Goss to unpack how brands can make smart site selection decisions in a constrained 2026 market. They discuss how rising costs are reshaping site economics, why Class A retail looks different today, and how the best teams blend local knowledge with data and AI. You’ll hear how to navigate limited inventory, evaluate...

In this episode of Consumer Code, Lyden Foust sits down with Jan Kestle , president of Environics Analytics and a pioneer in geodemographics. Jan unpacks how “location, location—birds of a feather flock together” evolved into sophisticated segmentation systems that integrate demographics, behavior, and social values. She explains the history and evolution of geodemographic tools, how Environics’ p...

In this episode, Lyden Foust is joined by Richard Leslie, president of Surface Agency, to explore a new playbook for multi-unit restaurant marketing. Richard breaks down how his team blends customer segmentation, unit-level economics, and geo-targeted media to build bottom‑up strategies that reflect the reality of each trade area. They talk through using mobile location data, k-means clustering, a...

In this episode, Lyden Foust is joined by Ryan Redus, VP of Real Estate at Hopdoddy, to unpack how restaurant brands grow the right way, in the right places. Ryan walks through his path from restaurant marketing to real estate strategy, how his time at Buxton shaped his data-driven approach, and why great site selection is a mix of analytics, negotiation, and on-the-ground intuition. They discuss...

In this episode, Lyden interviews Gregg Katz, a seasoned expert in retail strategy and location data. Katz shares his journey from a family retail background to becoming a director and chief strategy officer in the commercial real estate sector. He discusses the importance of understanding nostalgic retail trends and how they can inform current business strategies. Katz emphasizes the lessons lear...

In this episode, Thomas Paulson, head of market insights at Advan Research, shares his expertise on economic trends, retail dynamics, and consumer behavior. He discusses the K-shaped economy, the impact of private label brands, and insights from Black Friday shopping. Paulson emphasizes the importance of understanding market signals and the role of influencers in shaping consumer preferences. He a...

In this episode, Lyden interviews Erich Kahner, Senior Director of Strategy and Insights at Dunnhumby, about the Retailer Preference Index (RPI). The RPI measures the strength of a retailer's customer value proposition and its impact on market share growth. Kahner discusses the methodology behind the RPI study, which combines consumer surveys with financial metrics, and highlights the five pil...

In this conversation, Bryan Chandler, a partner and managing director at the Shopping Center Group (TSCG), discusses the intricacies of retail real estate, the importance of data analytics, and the evolving dynamics between retailers, brokers, and property owners. He shares insights on the significance of retail intelligence, the role of dark data, and how mobile and psychographic data are transfo...

Welcome to Market Share Masterclass, a new Consumer Code series featuring rapid-fire, tactical interviews with retail’s boldest operators—unpacking the real strategies behind today’s fastest-growing brands. In this episode, Julian Gottlieb, Senior Analytics Lead at Patagonia, discusses the company's approach to market intelligence, emphasizing the importance of understanding customer insights...

In this episode, Andy Moncla, President of BI Spatial, discusses the development and application of the Mobility Grid, a tool designed to analyze consumer behavior and site selection in retail. He shares insights from his extensive experience in the industry, highlighting the evolution of market research, the importance of mobile data, and the challenges associated with data accuracy and privacy....

Welcome to Market Share Masterclass, a new Consumer Code series featuring rapid-fire, tactical interviews with retail’s boldest operators—unpacking the real strategies behind today’s fastest-growing brands. In this episode, Lyden Foust interviews Tony Tsonis, Senior Director of Digital Marketing at Pet Paradise. They discuss the growth of Pet Paradise, strategies for increasing market share, the i...

In this episode, Doug Munson, former CEO of MTN Retail Advisors, discusses the intricacies of grocery retail site selection, emphasizing the importance of data collection, the evolution of tools, and the significance of boots-on-the-ground analysis. He shares insights from his career, including foundational moments that shaped his approach to the industry, and offers advice for retail site selecto...

In this episode, Karlyn Mattson, a merchandising expert, discusses the intricacies of retail merchandising, focusing on the importance of localization, data analysis, and effective communication. She emphasizes the need for retailers to understand their customers deeply and to adapt their strategies based on data insights. Karlyn also shares her experiences from various retail giants and highlight...

In this conversation, Jack Thompson, former CEO of Tango Analytics, shares his unique journey from a developer's background to becoming a leader in retail analytics. He discusses the importance of understanding the retail ecosystem, the transition to analytics, and the innovative methodologies he developed, such as the 18-point survey for site selection. Jack emphasizes the significance of collabo...

In this episode, Gary Menger, founder of Applied Geographic Solutions, shares his journey from a young geography enthusiast to a pioneer in the field of demographics and market research. He discusses his early fascination with maps, his transition from academia to the industry, and the significant impact of CompuSearch on retail research. Gary elaborates on the evolution of demographic data, the i...

In this episode, Gary Menger, founder of Applied Geographic Solutions, discusses the intersection of data, demographics, and retail strategy. He emphasizes the importance of understanding data limitations, the art of data interpretation, and the evolving role of site selection in the AI age. Menger shares insights on how retailers can better utilize data to inform their decisions and the necessity...

In this episode, Ashley Robinson, CEO of Seaker Group, discusses her extensive experience in retail real estate and the creation of the Seaker Group. She elaborates on the '10 Things' methodology for retail expansion, emphasizing the importance of a holistic approach that combines art and science in decision-making. The discussion covers various aspects of market strategy, including market...

In this episode, Lyden and Hannibal discuss the critical role of site selection in retail growth, particularly through the lens of Baldwin's experience with SiteZeus. They explore the journey from traditional retail to leveraging machine learning for predictive modeling in site selection, emphasizing the importance of understanding customer demographics and site characteristics. The discussion als...

In this episode, Michael Weiss shares his extensive experience in geodemographics, discussing its origins, key pioneers, and early applications in business and politics. He recounts his journey across America to meet various lifestyle segments, highlighting the importance of understanding consumer behavior through data. Weiss also reflects on his time at Environics, the evolution of segmentation,...

In this episode, Jonathan Silver, CEO of Affinity Solutions, discusses the importance of behavioral data in understanding consumer spending patterns. He shares his journey from launching a potty training product to leading a company that provides valuable insights to retailers and financial institutions. The discussion covers the evolution of Affinity Solutions, its partnerships with organizations...

In this episode, Nicole Larson, National Manager of Retail Research at Colliers, discusses the retail landscape for 2025, highlighting themes such as cautious optimism among retailers, the impact of consumer sentiment, and the importance of partnerships and alternative revenue streams. She emphasizes the need for retailers to adapt to changing consumer behaviors and the significance of technology...

"Retailers that are able to have this blueprint and act quickly are going to be at an advantage for the next couple of years as space is probably going to continue to be very tight." In this episode, Lyden Foust, Brian Strickland, and Dave Huntoon discuss key aspects of market selection and site expansion in retail, focusing on trade areas, customer profiling, and competition. They share insights...

"When you put data up against a gut feeling, the data wins more than 50% of the time." In this episode, Andrew Neelon, founder of 1REC and SVP of Development & Strategy at Elase Med Spas, discusses the intricacies of retail site expansion and market selection. He shares insights from his experience at Bonobos, highlighting the importance of data-driven decision-making in site selection, the un...

"Here's the beauty of demography: it's simple. It's not rocket science. Demographics is definitive." In this episode, Ken Gronbach discusses the profound impact of demographics on business and marketing strategies. He shares insights from his experiences in the advertising industry, particularly focusing on generational shifts and their implications for market dynamics. Gronbach emphasizes the imp...

"Companies like Apple and Google have a clean simple feed for themselves while everyone else is working with the scraps of the data. But what we're able to do with those scraps can be really powerful." In this episode, Lyden Foust interviews Jack Schroder, Lead Data Scientist at Spatial.ai, to explore the intricacies of mobile location data. They discuss its definition, various use cases, the impo...