Cameron Smith & Associates

10/12/2026

PepsiCo is betting on brand investment, functional benefits, and flavor innovation to revive its soda business. The bigger challenge? Turning ideas into retail growth—where customer insight and ex*****on matter.

The beverage giant is planning to add more functional benefits to Poppi, its newly acquired better-for-you soda brand.

10/08/2026

AI is changing how shoppers discover products. Walmart says its visual search is driving a 57% conversion lift vs. text search. For suppliers, the digital shelf is becoming even more important.

Advancements in AI are helping Walmart save money, which it is, in turn, reinvesting in customer experience improvements, according to U.S. CEO David Guggina.  

10/06/2026

Walmart’s latest digital shelf-label innovation shows how technology is connecting the in-store and digital shopping experience—making it easier for shoppers to find the products they want.

Customers can now use the Shop to Light feature on retailer's app to flash the labels of products that they are searching for in-store

10/02/2026

General Mills names COO Dana McNabb CEO, turning to an insider amid inflation, cautious consumers, and private-label pressure.

General Mills announced COO Dana McNabb will succeed CEO Jeff Harmening next year following Harmening's nine years at the helm.

09/30/2026

Big CPG shifts: Coca-Cola and Colgate-Palmolive name new customer leaders to drive tech-enabled pricing, promotions, and retail partnerships amid changing shopper priorities.

As the companies contend with shifting consumer priorities and price sensitivity, these new customer leaders will need to work closely with retail partners to create interest and maintain category momentum using data-driven and tech-enabled practices.

09/29/2026

As retail gets more digital, transparency around pricing will matter just as much as the technology enabling it. Walmart’s stance puts consumer trust at the center of the electronic shelf label conversation.

Furner’s open letter promises to “price the product, not the person”

09/25/2026

CSA team members had the opportunity to attend the 2026 Walmart Women’s Empowerment Summit — an inspiring morning focused on growth, leadership, connection, and the power of lifting others up.

Grateful for the opportunity to learn from and connect with such an incredible community!

09/24/2026

Target is putting a bigger emphasis on new products—and getting them to shoppers faster. As product-development timelines shrink from years to months, speed and differentiation are becoming increasingly important in retail.

Retailer is adding more new products, emerging brands and wellness options as it looks to make grocery a bigger part of the Target experience

09/22/2026

Sam’s Club is pushing retail media beyond past purchases—using predictive signals to help brands anticipate what shoppers need next. P&G is already putting it to work, signaling where supplier media strategies are headed.

Omni-Impact update also adds 4 new ad channels to track

09/18/2026

Costco’s nationwide expansion with Uber Eats and DoorDash signals how quickly same-day delivery is becoming a core part of the omnichannel shopping experience.

The wholesaler expanded its partnerships with both e-commerce providers at a time when same-day delivery is resonating with its shoppers.