Economy
29 August 2022
The Week Ahead: Jobs report; Best Buy, Chewy, Lululemon earnings
Check out ecommerce happenings for Aug. 29-Sept. 2.
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Welcome to a new week. The US Open tennis tournament is set to get underway today in New York, making Queens the center of the athletic and cultural world for the next two weeks. The competition is always riveting, but we’re just as interested in the brand activations. In one of the more intriguing collabs this year, footwear brand Rothy’s is launching a new collection made from recycled Evian water bottles collected at last year’s US Open. Now that's circular.
Here’s a look at the rest of this week’s happenings in ecommerce:
Events
NACDS Total Store Expo: Chain drug store retailers and suppliers meet in Boston for a mix of tactical and strategic meetings. The Current is providing coverage live from the event, including recaps of sessions on supply chain and the economy. (August 29)
Home Delivery World: Retail logistics leaders gather in Philadelphia for a conference and exhibition covering all things last-mile. The conference will feature speakers from American Eagle Outfitters, Ulta Beauty, Walmart and Kroger. (August 31-Sept. 1)
Economic indicators
A new month brings a fresh cycle of economic data releases. The focus of the federal government this week is on jobs, with the US Labor Department reporting job openings on August 30, and the monthly report on new jobs, including the unemployment rate, arriving Friday. These will be crucial measures of economic health at a time when a strong job market has been a key signal that the US is not in a recession, despite inflation.
Earnings
Here’s a look at the publicly-traded retail, CPG and ecommerce companies reporting earnings this week:
- Monday, August 29: Pinduoduo
- Tuesday, August 30: Best Buy, PVH Corp., Chewy.
- Wednesday, August 31: G-III Apparel, Vera Bradley, Designer Brands, Express.
- Thursday, September 1: Lululemon, Campbell Soup, Hormel Foods, Tillys, Signet Jewelers
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Marketing
09 June
'There's a lot of ways to frame value'
Campbell Soup Company CEO Mark Clouse offered thoughts on messaging amid inflationary shifts in consumer behavior.
Photo by Kelly Common on Unsplash
After months of elevated inflation and interest rate hikes that have the potential to cool demand, consumers are showing more signs of shifting behavior.
It’s showing up in retail sales data, but there’s also evidence in the observations of the brands responsible for grocery store staples.
The latest example came this week from Campbell Soup Company. CEO Mark Clouse told analysts that the consumer continues to be “resilient” despite continued price increases on food, but found that “consumers are beginning to feel that pressure” as time goes on.
This shows up in the categories they are buying. Overall, Clouse said Campbell sees a shift toward shelf-stable items, and away from more expensive prepared foods.
There is also change in when they make purchases. People are buying more at the beginning of the month. That’s because they are stretching paychecks as long as possible.
These shifts change how the company is communicating with consumers.
Clouse said the changes in behavior are an opportunity to “focus on value within our messaging without necessarily having to chase pricing all the way down.”
“No question that it's important that we protect affordability and that we make that relevant in the categories that we're in," Clouse said. "But I also think there's a lot of ways to frame value in different ways, right?”
A meal cooked with condensed soup may be cheaper than picking up a frozen item or ordering out. Consumers just need a reminder. Even within Campbell’s own portfolio, the company can elevate brands that have more value now, even if they may not always get the limelight.
The open question is whether the shift in behavior will begin to show up in the results of the companies that have raised prices. Campbell’s overall net sales grew 5% for the quarter ended April 30, while gross profit margins held steady around 30%. But the category-level results were more uneven. U.S. soup sales declined 11%, though the company said that was owed to comparisons with the quarter when supply chains reopened a year ago and expressed confidence that the category is seeing a longer-term resurgence as more people cook at home following the pandemic. Snacks, which includes Goldfish and Pepperidge Farm, were up 12% And while net sales increased overall, the amount of products people are buying is declining. Volumes were down 7%.
These are trends happening across the grocery store. Campbell is continuing to compete. It is leading with iconic brands, and a host of different ways to consume them. It is following that up with innovation that makes the products stand out. Then, it is driving home messaging that shows consumers how to fit the products into their lives, and even their tightening spending plans.
Campbell Soup is more than 150 years old, and has seen plenty of difficult economic environments. It is also a different business today, and will continue to evolve. At the end of the day, continued execution is what’s required.
“If it's good food, people are going to buy it, especially if it's a great value,” Clouse said.
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