Shopper Matters Podcast

Today's shoppers aren't just chasing lower prices. They want affordability, healthier eating, and confidence in what they buy, all in the same trip. On this episode of Shopper Matters, host Michael La Kier talks with Jordan Schenck, CEO of Flashfood, about what near-date fresh food reveals about modern shopper behavior. They cover why deal-seeking has lost its stigma, how affordability unlocks healthier habits, and why independent grocers should stop treating shrink as a cost center. It's a practical listen for retailers who want to turn surplus inventory into traffic, loyalty, and new revenue.

In this episode of Shopper Matters, the National Watermelon Promotion Board's Julimar Rosado shares fresh shopper research with host Michael La Kier — from which households drive the most category dollars to why cut vs. whole watermelon means different things to shoppers. A practical, data-backed conversation for any retailer selling produce.

Explore how data and AI are shaping commerce media, emphasizing the shopper experience as the ultimate goal in retail strategies and planning in this episode of Shopper Matters with Goodway Group guests VP of Commerce Media Briana Finelli and SVP of Growth Joe Frick.

Host Michael La Kier sits down with Lynn Neal, global practice officer at Sellcheck, to explore one of the most powerful and often misunderstood drivers of retail success: behavioral science.
With over three decades of experience at Procter & Gamble and now helping brands optimize creative effectiveness through AI and behavioral insights, Neal shares practical strategies that retailers and manufacturers can apply immediately to improve shopper engagement and conversion.
If you’re navigating today’s complex omnichannel environment, this episode offers a clear reminder: winning isn’t about more messaging — it’s about better-aligned messaging with how shoppers actually think and behave.

In the latest Shopper Matters episode, AR Marketing’s Melissa Carrick and IGA’s Michael La Kier share how retailers can turn social content into real trips, loyalty signups, and sales. Discover what’s working now and how independents can win locally.

What if e-commerce could pay for itself? In the latest Shopper Matters episode, Instacart’s Nick Nickitas explains how retail media, AI, and scale are helping independent grocers grow sales and profit.

Blueberries are going beyond breakfast. Discover how the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council is driving frequency, expanding occasions, and helping retailers grow baskets through emotion and omni-channel activation.

In this episode of Shopper Matters, host Michael La Kier sits down with Rob Belcore, Chief Commercial Officer of RSA America, to explore how independent grocers can compete—and win—in a data-driven, digital-first world. Belcore shares insights from millions of shopper transactions, explaining how local grocers can harness personalization, loyalty programs, and mobile technology to deepen customer connections without losing their community touch. From macro-to-micro engagement strategies to the ROI mindset needed for AI and automation, this conversation reveals how the next generation of independent grocery retail is being built—one personalized offer at a time.

The sober curious movement is no longer a niche trend; it’s a rapidly expanding retail category with major growth potential. In this episode of Shopper Matters, IGA VP Brand Development Michael La Kier sat down with Lipari Foods SVP Marketing Nick Lenzi to explore why alcohol-adjacent beverages are exploding in popularity and what independent grocers and CPG partners can do to capitalize on the opportunity.

In this Shopper Matters episode, host Michael La Kier interviews FMI VP Research & Insights Steve Markenson about the 2025 U.S. Grocery Shopper Trends Report. They discuss how shopper behavior is evolving, with value now defined by more than just price—shoppers also prioritize health, convenience, experience, and sustainability. The episode examines generational shopping habits, the significance of omnichannel engagement, and strategies for retailers and brands to more effectively connect with today’s consumers.