Download the full 2026 Laboratory Informatics Trends Report here. This free trends report outlines industry perspectives and expert advice from our team of lab informatics consultants. You can view an excerpt of the report below, and if you’d like to discuss any of the trends or other challenges in the laboratory space, connect with our team today. Key Laboratory Informatics Trends The laboratory informatics trends of 2026 highlight the…
Clarkston Consulting recently supported a water management and treatment solution company in selecting an enterprise PLM platform. Read a synopsis of the project below or download the full case study. Download the Selecting an Enterprise PLM Platform Case Study Here As a global leader in water management and treatment solutions, this client delivers innovative products across pool and spa equipment, residential water solutions, and commercial and industrial water systems. While the organization maintained a…
TrumpRx.gov launched on February 5th. Our team unpacks its potential implications below. The White House announced a new direct-to-consumer (DTC) website, coined TrumpRx, for Americans to buy certain prescription drugs directly from a government website at a reduced price. Pfizer plans to offer some of its drugs on the site at the reduced rate, and in return, “gains a three-year grace period to exempt it from national security-related tariffs, as…
Download the full 2026 Grocery Trends Report here. This free trends report outlines industry perspectives and expert advice from our team of retail industry consultants. You can view an excerpt of the report below, and if you’d like to discuss any of the trends or other challenges in the grocery space, connect with our team today. Key Grocery Trends These grocery trends point to a common theme: maturity. Across AI,…
In the food and beverage industry, post-COVID cost inflation has significantly influenced brand decisions in recent years. Companies strive to meet consumer demand for affordability and must manage their price levels to remain competitive. Leading brands like PepsiCo are setting the tone for this shift by cutting prices by up to 15% to ease everyday food costs. Economic pressure on consumers, however, is only one half of the picture. In addition to preventing products from being too expensive, brands need to understand the values…
Echo vs. Impact Leaders who rely solely on formal reporting and project calendars are often late to recognize and respond to risk during an ERP implementation. Effective organizations are those that pay attention to behavioral and structural indicators before schedules slip, integrations fail, or downstream testing degrades. ERP project risk rarely begins with missed milestones or red status reports; it develops earlier and is revealed through changes in how teams communicate, how they make commitments, and…
Download the full 2026 Luxury Retail Trends Report here. This free trends report outlines industry perspectives and expert advice from our team of retail consultants. You can view an excerpt of the report below, and if you’d like to discuss any of the trends or other challenges in the luxury retail space, connect with our team today. Key Luxury Retail Trends As the luxury retail industry moves into 2026,…
Earlier this year, OpenAI introduced ChatGPT Health, a dedicated health and wellness experience within ChatGPT. Shortly after, Anthropic announced its own healthcare-focused expansion with “Claude for Healthcare,” positioning its models for use across providers, payers, and life sciences organizations. Neither announcement should come as a surprise. People have been using general-purpose AI tools for health questions for years, often without formal guardrails, integrations, or clarity on data handling. What’s new is that leading AI companies are now…
This case study covers a content generation agent for a pharma client. Clarkston Consulting developed an AI-powered tool that has dramatically accelerated content production for the client. Read a synopsis of the project below or download the full case study. Download the Content Generation Agent for Pharma Case Study Here Clarkston recently partnered with a leading biopharmaceutical company to revolutionize how they create marketing content for their products. Their marketing team was struggling…
Each year, CEOs from many of the largest consumer products companies gather at the Consumer Analyst Group of New York (CAGNY) conference to outline their strategic priorities for the coming year. While much of the conversation centers on financial performance, CAGNY is also valuable as a window into capital allocation decisions, operating model evolution, and the capabilities leaders believe will define competitive advantage over the next decade. In contrast to the volatility-driven messaging of…
Key Points: CP Marketing + Agentic AI Agentic AI is reshaping consumer products marketing by shifting manual, fragmented workflows to autonomous AI agents that plan and optimize campaigns, enabling faster decisions and scalable personalization once core data foundations are established. Organizational readiness will determine real competitive advantage, with governance to guide safe and brand-aligned AI use, and project management to coordinate implementation across functions. Marketers will shift into more strategic…
In today’s consumer landscape, loyalty retail programs are seamlessly woven into both traditional brick-and-mortar stores and the digital realm of eCommerce. They serve as powerful tools to enhance customer retention, and to truly understand their significance and growth, we break down the history of loyalty retail programs below. 18th to 20th Century Loyalty Programs The creation of loyalty programs in the late 18th century was considered the “premium marketing” of…
The holiday shopping season has arrived, and we are already seeing some fascinating shifts in consumer behavior and spending habits. From Thanksgiving weekend to Cyber Monday and beyond, the landscape of retail continues to evolve, blending in-store and online experiences with new trends in consumer preferences. 2024 Holiday Shopping Trends A Mixed Bag of Numbers for Thanksgiving Weekend The National Retail Federation (NRF) and Prosper Insights & Analytics reported that…
Generative AI tools have advanced tremendously in recent years, moving beyond novelties to becoming indispensable tools for companies to leverage. The ability of AI to generate images and videos, not just text, has caught the attention of many retailers, with brands such as Levi’s, Dove and Nike already capitalizing on AI to create marketing and advertising content. These tools allow for quick iterations and refinement, resulting in time and monetary…
In an era characterized by an overwhelming influx of new product launches and constant, in-your-face advertising, the concept of underconsumption has emerged as a compelling countertrend. Underconsumption – broadly defined as the practice of using fewer resources and making more deliberate purchases – is gaining traction in the beauty industry, influenced by social media dynamics and the evolving preferences of Gen Z consumers. As influencers and social media have historically…
The year’s largest merger is here: the Mars Kellanova Merger. If you have never heard of Kellanova, you’ve likely heard of the company it was recently formed out of – Kellogg. Kellanova was launched in 2023 (that’s right, exactly 317 days from this announcement to be precise), as a carveout from Kellogg with the aim to separate the faster growing convenience foods from the slower growth cereal business. The legacy…
As we move further into 2024, inclusivity in consumer healthcare marketing will continue to be more of a strategic imperative rather than just a nice-to-have for brands. We know that Generation Alpha is more value-motivated than the proceeding generations (as we’ve seen reflected in their skincare and beauty purchasing) but consumers of all generations have become more discerning as well. In fact, more than half of consumers believe that brands…
Phygital marketing represents the fusion of physical and digital marketing tactics, seamlessly integrating in-person and online interactions into a unified marketing approach. In this piece, we’re exploring phygital marketing strategies and how brands can find success at this critical intersection of physical and digital marketing. What is Phygital Marketing? While the advent of social media, eCommerce, and internet advertising underscores the importance of digital strategies, a CSA survey reveals that…
Advanced data analytics is now a table-stakes tool for inventory planning. Some estimates show that applying AI-driven forecasting can reduce errors by between 20 and 50 percent, reducing lost sales and product unavailability by up to 65 percent. Sharper demand forecasting also reduces waste and unsold products that need to be marked down or liquidated. Although the complex array of variables and multiple sources of uncertainty ensure demand forecasting will always…
Against the backdrop of both global challenges and innovative opportunities – ranging from ongoing geopolitical instability and economic uncertainties to the accelerating pace of technological innovation and R&D – life sciences companies are continuing to navigate a complex and rapidly evolving landscape. In this trends report, we outline the key trends driving this growth and acceleration in the life sciences industry, focusing on how companies are responding, adapting, and…
As we begin 2024, the wine, spirits, and beer industry is still reeling with the changes in the aftermath of the pandemic. The greatest challenge facing the industry is dealing with the ever-changing ebbs and flows of alcohol consumption trends and demands. As consumers adjusted to a more home-centered lifestyle with remote working and lockdowns, the demand for convenient purchases grew. However, even though we’ve returned to a more…
In 2023, many consumer products (CP) companies focused on profitability and optimization of existing assets instead of making large growth-oriented investments in their business. Acquisition activity also slowed, as many companies focused on refining their core offerings in preparation for moves in the future. In addition, a challenging financing environment with higher interest rates and recent pauses in Fed hikes has caused many companies and investors to take a “wait…
Novo Holdings, the parent company to Novo Nordisk, announced a deal this morning to acquire Catalent, a leading global CDMO known for its broad end-to-end CDMO capabilities. The deal, valuing Catalent at $16.5bn, is designed to help improve supply challenges that have been holding back the growth of their blockbuster GLP-1 drug semaglutide, more well-known by brand names Ozempic and Wegovy. In the same breath, Novo Holdings announced they will…
The youngest generation of shoppers – Gen Alpha – seems to be dominating news headlines lately, flocking into retail stores like Ulta and Sephora over the holiday season as they shop for the perfect products for their 10-step skincare routines and “Get Ready with Me” TikTok videos. As Ulta Beauty’s Chief Merchandising Officer noted, skincare was at the top of Gen Alpha’s holiday wish list as the 2023 holiday season…
As society transitions to a more xintrospective and health-focused world, we’re seeing growth in skincare trends, wellness-oriented products, and new market segments within the beauty industry. This new integrated approach to wellness is impacting the beauty community as consumers focus on products that incorporate both natural ingredients and non-traditional products into their self-care routine – focusing not only on their internal well-being, but external, too. As our economy is experiencing…
The consumer products (CP) industry, along with many others, has experienced an evolution in recent years. In our 2023 CP Trends, we note two key trends – defining omnichannel strategy and execution, and implementing digital marketing strategies – which serve as drivers for further growth and innovation in a competitive market. CP companies have a number of avenues to further these trends, stand out from competition, and continue to grow…
With the increasing availability of health information, there has been a rise in demand for at-home diagnostics companies that enable individuals to test their own samples and receive results without visiting a healthcare provider. This raises concerns about the data and privacy of consumer health information. At-home diagnostics testing handles highly sensitive personal and biological data that necessitates proper regulations and policies in place to protect patient privacy. As such, at-home…
As sustainability becomes an increasingly important consideration in all industries, it’s inevitable that luxury retail will also continue to experience increasing demand for more sustainable products and practices – particularly as a new market segment of younger and eco-conscious consumers, such as Gen Z and Millennials, begin to fuel the luxury retail market as they move into careers with more flexible income. In fact, last year Millennials and Gen Z…
During the COVID-19 pandemic, eCommerce grew drastically in several industries, with online grocery shopping becoming a popular option. Many customers sought to avoid in-person shopping altogether, so grocers began to offer curbside pick-up and delivery for customer purchases. As the impacts of the pandemic are now waning, digital grocery shopping sales are seeing a decline, and eCommerce grocery shopping recorded a 1.8% decline in the first 6 months of 2023…
For retail customers, shopping is an inherently interactive process. Even so, a reported 67% of apparel and 74% of footwear spending is done online. With so much emphasis on providing an authentic brand experience regardless of the channel, brands have experimented with creative ways to demonstrate a strong online presence amidst rises in direct-to-consumer (DTC) eCommerce. Using footwear and apparel retailers as an example, we’re seeing companies look to seek…
An international biopharmaceutical company was planning on implementing a new quality management system (QMS), Veeva Vault QMS. This would be a multi-year implementation that affects thousands of employees across the globe. The biopharmaceutical company was looking to engage in a holistic end-to-end organizational change management (OCM) strategy to drive the successful adoption and usage of the new technology and to minimize the day-to-day impact to the business post go-live. The…
Launching into a new market requires careful consideration of the industry trends, target consumers, competitive landscape, product mix, and operations investment. This is no different for the pet food industry. The pet food industry is growing yearly and is expected to reach an 8% CAGR by 2023, with consumers spending $51 million on pet food alone. As such, companies looking to take advantage of this market growth should evaluate their potential…
Generative AI, also known as generative adversarial networks (GANs), is a subfield of artificial intelligence (AI) which has the potential to change the retail industry. This technology uses deep learning algorithms to generate brand new data and content based on user prompts. In contrast, other AI like reinforcement learning is more focused on processing and analyzing existing data. Clarkston’s retail team has enjoyed exploring the implications of generative AI in retail…
In our fast-paced and ever-changing market, understanding consumer motivations and preferences, specifically for younger generations, is key for organizations looking to remain profitable and relevant. For many CP companies, the growing trend of hyperlocalism is one way to achieve that success. So, what is hyperlocalism? What is Hyperlocalism? Hyperlocalism refers to a strategy that targets potential consumers within a specific geographical location. It aims to provide personalized products tailored to…
In today’s ever-changing consumer landscape, the alcohol industry has shown fascinating transformations to meet the demands of shifting consumer tastes and preferences. 2022 marked the first year where the spirits market share surpassed the beer market share in the U.S. beverage alcohol market. Largely attributed to the impacts of the Covid pandemic, the alcohol industry is experiencing a new era of health-conscious consumers. The rise of “better-for-you” alcoholic beverages has…
In January, our retail experts made a number of predictions about the apparel industry outlook for 2023. As we move into the second half of the year, let’s see how well our predictions held up for the five trends discussed in our 2023 Apparel Industry Trends report. Trend Review Trend #1: Conscientious customers are forcing brands to rethink sustainable apparel. When predicting conscientious customers forcing brands to rethink sustainable apparel, our…
Currently the youngest demographic, Generation Alpha is becoming an increasingly more important customer base for the beauty industry to target. Gen Alpha consists of those born between 2010 and 2024 and is projected to consist of at least 2 billion individuals. This generation’s ties to digital media and technology are more powerful than any other, which is key for forward-looking companies navigating today’s landscape. So, how will Gen Alpha impact…
The use of password managers to create, store, and reuse passwords across different systems and applications has gained popularity in our personal and professional lives. There are several benefits associated with the use of password managers. They enable users to establish strong passwords that are not easily hacked, copied or guessed. Additionally, they keep the user from having to memorize a multitude of passwords, thereby creating efficient user access and…
A global leader in the consumer products industry enlisted Clarkston to create a three-year strategic roadmap with actionable initiatives to address key challenges in its export business and prepare for future growth. The CP company experienced tremendous growth in the past several years, but as revenue increased, the company has outgrown its current processes and systems, particularly in its export business serving high-growth emerging markets. To prepare for future growth…
Increasing supply chain pressures are forcing retailers to reconsider each portion of their inventory strategy. They are trying to find the best way to get the right product to the right location at the right time. Modern omnichannel customer experiences add complexity to this. Enabling store order fulfilment (ship-from-store) or adding the ability to buy-online-pickup-in-store can change the way stores interact with customers and requires changes to the retail allocation…