That Makes Cents: A consumer podcast

2023 Holiday spending trends: Tune in to our podcast to hear what, where, and how consumers are filling their carts this season.

Tune in to this episode of That Makes Cents as we discuss how sustainability, convenience, and affordability could shape the future of the automotive industry—and how subscriptions will pave the way toward a completely different car ownership model.

Like today’s consumer, the grocery industry is increasingly diverse and complex. In a spinoff of our miniseries on the future of the consumer industry, we explore the future of grocery retail and how exponential tech such as AI and Gen AI could play a key role in increasing grocery personalization. Kirk Ball, EVP and CIO at Giant Eagle joins Daniel Edsall, Deloitte’s grocery sector leader and host Bobby Stephens to discuss how grocery retailers can deliver unique customer experiences at every touchpoint, whether in-store or online.  

For more info. on the Future of the Grocery Retail industry, visit: https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/industry/retail-distribution/future-of-grocery-retail.html

As today’s consumers become more diverse in terms of their wants and needs, we’re seeing a more demand-driven market that’s empowering consumers. What do brands need to know about this shift in consumer behavior? And how will data, AI and Gen AI play a larger role as we move from mass to micro? Learn more in this episode of That Makes Cents, featuring a guest speaker from Google Cloud.

In this third installment of our miniseries on the future of the consumer industry, we’re taking a closer look at how the emergence and growth of capability-as-a-service are causing a major convergence and reconfiguration in the consumer industry. Milen Mahadevan, president of 84.51, Kroger's very own capability as a service, and Kasey Lobaugh, chief futurist for Deloitte's consumer industry, join us to dive into the evolution of the consumer industry, the lower barriers to entry for consumer companies today, and the role they can play in the larger consumer ecosystem. As a bonus, hear what these industry leaders have to say on the evolution of generative AI in the next few years. For more info. on the Future of the Consumer industry, visit: https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/pages/consumer-business/articles/future-of-consumer-industry.html

From streaming platforms to health and fitness apps that personalize to their users, consumers today have access to a wide array of digital offerings. And, with the increasing adoption of AI, cloud convergence, and other technologies, digital goods and services are witnessing exponential growth. How should companies capitalize on this rising trend? Tune in to this episode as Jen Brace, chief futurist, at Ford Motor Company, and Alisa Locricchio, senior manager with Deloitte Consulting, discuss the opportunities that lie ahead for consumer companies. For more info. on the Future of the Consumer industry, visit: https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/pages/consumer-business/articles/future-of-consumer-industry.html

As stated in Deloitte’s Future of Consumer study, “Change is a staple of humanity, and nowhere is the velocity of change more evident than in the consumer industry.” How should consumer companies perceive this change? What should consumer industry executives consider beyond their shareholder value while addressing this change? In this episode, Anthony Waelter, Deloitte’s US Consumer Industry leader, and Alisa Locricchio, senior manager with Deloitte Consulting, provide a preview into the six forces to understand the next decade of change including the implications of exponential tech, changing consumer, and more.

Digital marketplaces help retailers meet their customers where they are by improving visibility, expanding assortment, reinforcing the omnichannel experience, and diversifying the supplier base to keep up with changing trends. This integration also allows retailers to extend visibility to brands that otherwise may not have garnered a similar platform in a short time span. In this episode, we speak with Matt Baer, chief customer and digital officer for Macy’s, Inc., and Oliver Siodmak, Global Marketplace Service Offering lead at Deloitte Digital, about Macy’s impactful digital marketplace integration in just under nine months.

With another holiday season behind us, this episode takes a look at how consumers and retailers faced the unique challenges of this shopping season including the economic uncertainty and the ongoing operational challenges. From the continued growth of digital channels to a return to pre-pandemic norms, we discuss how the 2022 shopping season reflected cautious consumer spending. For more detailed insights, check out our full report.

While women have experienced inequitable workspaces long before the pandemic, several issues such as pay disparity, lack of advancement opportunities, and mental and physical health impacts of the pandemic are front and center for women and all genders. With millions exiting the workforce to maintain flexibility to care for their families, the time has come for a culture of allyship to uplift gender-centered workforce design. Tune in to this episode with Sarah Alter, president and CEO of NextUp, and Tiffany Mawhinney, principal at Deloitte Consulting LLP, as they share their thoughts on a gender-centered design from their latest study: Creating more equitable workplaces through gender-centered design.

With an increasing focus on climate change and other ecological crises, consumer companies face an influx of stakeholder demands to disclose ESG data. While consumers, employees, and investors want to engage with more sustainable companies, regulators are proposing that companies disclose material sustainability data or even their public pledges to achieve reduction of emissions. However, how hard is it to collect accurate, valid, and trustworthy ESG data? Which elements of ESG data are essential for stakeholder engagement? Tune in to this episode as we discuss these questions with Mandi McReynolds, global head of ESG at Workiva Inc., and Charles Carrington, partner with Deloitte’s Risk & Financial Advisory practice.

Continuing to grow digital capabilities helps set retailers apart and is important regardless of what industry they plan in. What are some of the latest customer experience capabilities available to retailers today? How are everyday business owners able to leverage these tools in an always-changing digital experience? Tune into this episode as we discuss these questions with Jill Royce, senior managing director of Business Consulting for Retail & Consumer Goods at Salesforce, and Adrian Trzaskus, Digital Transformation leader with Deloitte Consulting.

Among the many pandemic-related challenges that the consumer industry has weathered, increasing talent shortage and turnover rates of frontline workforce continues to be a major hurdle. How are companies navigating this current landscape of frontline talent? What are some of the leading talent strategies that companies can leverage to retain and reward their employees? Tune in to hear from Barb Wallander, SVP, Human Resources and FedEx Express, and Cathy Gutierrez, Workforce Transformation leader at Deloitte Consulting LLP.

In recent years, consumers’ expectations of greater convenience and desire to stay “hyperconnected” through multiple channels has pushed retailers to rethink their approach to innovative and customer-centric shopping experiences. How do you design a store that achieves this? How do you balance convenience with profitability? Daniel Eckert, Operating Partner at Corsair Capital; and Adam York, a senior manager at Deloitte Consulting LLP, join this episode to discuss.

As the VP of Loyalty Operations and Customer Experience Strategy at Marriott International, Nikhil Takalkar has witnessed and contributed to the evolution of loyalty programs in the travel and hospitality industry over the last decade. He joins this episode alongside Ramya Murali, co-leader of Deloitte Consulting LLP’s Loyalty offering, to discuss the major changes they’ve seen and where they think loyalty strategy is going next.

When it comes to issues like DE&I and sustainability, consumers are putting their money where their mouths are, and they expect businesses to do the same. Organizations that lead with purpose are not only driving societal prosperity, but sustainable prosperity for the business, too. Joining this episode to explain the why and how behind organizational purpose are Dan Kihanya, Director of Corporate Development and Investment at REI, and Kwasi Mitchell, Deloitte’s Chief Purpose Officer.

In the tradition of reflecting on the past year to prepare for the new one, this episode takes a look at how consumers, retailers, shipping providers, and manufacturers faced the challenges of this past holiday season. Plus, the trends to watch for in 2022. Featuring guest speakers Chloe Harootunian and Alyssa Casale of Deloitte Consulting LLP.

Thanks for tuning in to Season 2 of That Makes Cents! We’ll be back in early 2022 with new episodes and new guests for Season 3. In the meantime, make sure to catch up on past episodes and share with your network—and don’t forget to subscribe. Connect with our host, Bobby Stephens, on Twitter @BobbyStephens or @DeloitteCB.

Holiday travel is set to make a return this year for many Americans who are excited to celebrate with friends and family. Still, health and budget concerns are keeping others at home. Anthony J. Jackson, leader of Deloitte’s US airline sector, joins this episode to help us make sense of this season’s travel trends.