FMCG Podcast from RetailX

From kefir breakfast drinks to superfood powders, wellness brand Biotiful Gut Health has navigated a surge in gut‑health interest, crowded shelves, and new shopper behaviours. Director of DTC & e‑commerce Rob Manning talks product efficacy, taste as a differentiator, and the power of omnichannel storytelling — including Q‑commerce spikes on cold weekends. With Sam Harding’s insights, the episode also explores how GLP‑1 weight‑loss drugs are influencing wellness behaviours, and why brands need to place themselves in fragmented, algorithm‑driven customer journeys before AI chatbots do it for them.

Quotes:
  • “Taste is non‑negotiable — we’re in food, people have to enjoy the experience.”
  • “Omnichannel isn’t a buzzword; it’s recognising every possible entry point to your brand and being ready when they arrive.”
  • “Soon, Gen‑AI could be your personal trainer and nutritionist — if your brand’s not in that meal plan, you’re not in the basket.”

What is FMCG Podcast from RetailX?

Recorded live at the RetailX FMCG Confex in London (https://retailx.events/fmcg-instore-ecommerce/), this five-episode podcast series from RetailX explores the world of FMCG through conversations with senior leaders from brands, retailers, and data specialists at Dunnhumby. Each episode tackles a different angle of the sector’s challenges and opportunities – from retail media and shopper behaviour to wellness trends, omnichannel strategies, innovation, and the role of AI.

Across the series, a clear theme emerges: FMCG brands operate in a complex environment shaped by shifting consumer priorities, disruptive technology, and increasingly fragmented purchase journeys. Guests discuss how brands can stand out in crowded markets by deeply understanding their customers, using data insightfully, and delivering consistent, personalised experiences across channels.

Key topics include:
- Retail Media’s rise as a strategic bridge between brand and retailer, providing data-driven targeting and measurement while requiring collaboration across internal silos.
- Evolving shopper habits, where sustainability is expected but value remains critical, and convenience channels (including quick commerce) are reshaping how and where products are sold.
- Wellness & health trends, from gut health to sports nutrition, and the importance of taste, efficacy, and authentic communication in winning consumer trust.
- Omnichannel experiences and ecosystems that integrate data from every touchpoint to anticipate needs, build loyalty, and create seamless brand interactions.
- AI and emerging tech as both operational tools and consumer-facing experiences, with the potential to deliver personalised recommendations and new product opportunities – but also raising challenges in trust, measurement, and readiness.

References:
- RetailX Events (www.retailx.events)
- the FMCG event (https://retailx.events/fmcg-instore-ecommerce/) and report (https://intelligence.retailx.net/report-hub/retailx-europe-fmcg-report-2025/)
- thanks to Dunnhumby (https://www.dunnhumby.com/)