March/April 2017

The retail industry is not where it should be when it comes to diversity. No research reports or statistics are needed to make that claim.

The pace of digital integration occurring in the supermarket industry is accelerating. No one would dispute that.

Merger and acquisition activity is off to a strong start in 2017 thanks to favorable economic conditions, marketplace dynamics, strong balance sheets and perceptions of a favorable regulatory climate. Since January, British American Tobacco agreed to acquire Reynolds American Inc.

The new world of conversational commerce was born in late 2014 with the launch of Amazon Echo and the Alexa chatbot platform. It began as a trial to Amazon Prime members that extended into 2015 and became available to everyone later that year.

Retailers are deep into a journey of business transformation and seeking to engage customers in ways unimaginable just a few years ago.

The phrase "high-tech" entered the national lexicon in the 1960s as the computer and electronics industries took off. Before long, it became a synonym for anything modern and over time various sectors of the economy adopted the "tech" suffix to signify their advanced state of digital affairs.

Consumer goods companies who have struggled with digital marketing efforts over the years can look to HEINEKEN USA for inspiration.The brewer has emerged as CPG leader in the effective use of digital, overcoming challenges unique to the alcoholic beverage category, to engage with shoppers and drive

Steve Matthesen joined Acosta, a full-service sales and marketing agency, last fall, succeeding long-time CEO Robert Hill. Prior to Acosta, Matthesen served as President of Global Retail at Nielsen and was a partner at The Boston Consulting Group.

The normalization of diplomatic relations with Cuba in December 2014 and the death of long-time dictator Fidel Castro last November were huge developments for the isolated nation.

Sam Gagliardi ,

A Letter from the President and CEO
Leslie G. Sarasin