Shopper Matters Episode 13: What Near-Date Food Reveals About Today's Shopper, with Flashfood CEO Jordan Schenck
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.
22 Jul 2026
Shopper Matters Episode 12: Why Watermelon Is a $3.2 Billion Opportunity Most Retailers Are Missing
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.
2 Jun 2026
Shopper Matters Episode 11: Data, AI, and the Future of Commerce Media
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.
25 Mar 2026
Shopper Matters Episode 10: Turning Behavioral Science into Shopper Conversion
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.
12 Feb 2026
Shopper Matters Episode 9: AR Marketing’s Melissa Carrick on Social Media’s In-store Impact
Melissa Carrick of AR Marketing discusses with Michael La Kier of IGA how retailers leverage social media content to drive in-store traffic, loyalty program sign-ups, and increased sales, in this interview episode.
5 Jan 2026
Shopper Matters Episode 8: Instacart’s Nick Nickitas on Why eCommerce is No Longer Optional
Nick Nickitas from Instacart discusses how retail media, artificial intelligence, and scale empower independent grocers to boost both sales and profits in this interview.
17 Dec 2025
Shopper Matters Episode 7: USHBC’s Kevin Hamilton on Growing Blueberry Demand
Kevin Hamilton of USHBC discusses strategies for increasing blueberry consumption by expanding usage occasions and leveraging emotional connections with shoppers in this interview.
11 Nov 2025
Shopper Matters Episode 6: The New Rules of Grocery Engagement
Michael La Kier interviews Rob Belcore, who reveals how independent grocers utilize data, personalization, and technology to build customer loyalty and compete in today's digital landscape.
20 Aug 2025
Shopper Matters Episode 5: Lipari Foods’ Nick Lenzi on the Sober Curious Movement
Michael La Kier interviews Nick Lenzi about the sober curious movement's retail growth and how grocers can capitalize on alcohol-adjacent beverage popularity.
2 Jul 2025
Shopper Matters Episode 4: FMI’s Steve Markenson on 2025 U.S. Grocery Shopper Trends Report
Michael La Kier interviews Steve Markenson of FMI about the 2025 U.S. Grocery Shopper Trends Report, revealing how consumers now value health, convenience, and sustainability alongside price.
24 Mar 2025
Shopper Matters Episode 3: AppCard's Eran Harel on Unlocking Shopper Loyalty
The retail landscape for independent grocers continues to evolve, with shopper behavior shifting dramatically in recent years. In this episode of Shopper Matters, IGA VP Brand Development Michael La Kier speaks with AppCard SVP of Corporate Development Eran Harel about how independent grocers can leverage personalized marketing, shopper analytics, and digital coupons to stay competitive. Topics also include key strategies for enhancing shopper engagement, driving loyalty, and making data-driven decisions that impact the bottom line.
28 Jan 2025
Shopper Matters Episode 2: Scott Hanbury of the Clorox Company
Clorox Team Lead, Grocery Analytics Scott Hanbury speaks to IGA VP Brand Development Michael La Kier about the importance of empathy and storytelling in data and analytics—two qualities that are often overlooked when crunching numbers. Importantly, Hanbury notes that independent grocers mistakenly think shoppers don’t want to find non-food items in the store. He shares details on Clorox’s “every food occasion” campaign, that reminds shoppers the brand is here for the meal and the mess with their brands, including Glad, Clorox, Kingsford, Hidden Valley Ranch, and more.
28 Jan 2025
Shopper Matters - Episode 1 - An Introduction to the Shopper Matters Podcast
Who has been a guest on Shopper Matters Podcast
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Melissa Carrick
Nick Nickitas
Kevin Hamilton
Rob Belcore
Nick Lenzi
Podcast Authority Score: 5 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
10
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
0
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Books guests
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Questions about Shopper Matters Podcast
Who hosts Shopper Matters Podcast?
Michael La Kier host the show. Published by ShopperMatters.
How often do new episodes come out?
The show publishes monthly, based on its RSS feed.
Does Shopper Matters Podcast take guests?
Yes. Guests have been identified in episode analyses.
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