Author: Joe Lyons-Rising

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CHFA NOW Trade Show (Toronto, Sept 23-24, 2023):A Mosaic of Sustainability, Social Good, and the Foundations of Family Business

CHFA NOW Trade Show (Toronto, Sept 23-24, 2023):
A Mosaic of Sustainability, Social Good, and the Foundations of Family Business
By Joe Lyons-Rising

October 2023

The Canadian Health Food Association (CHFA) NOW show in Toronto, On was a vibrant canvas, brimming with innovation, passion, and stories that resonate.

My heartfelt gratitude goes out to GreenFresh Marketing and Marsham Natural Food Brokers for setting the stage (quite literally!) for my DJ gig at their amazing booth on Day 1 of the show. Rob Rathke, VP of Marketing at GreenFresh, deserves a special shoutout for orchestrating this super fun experience.

Let’s dive into my key takeaways from my first time attending a CHFA show:

The Pulse of Social Good:

Navigating the CHFA landscape, the commitment to social causes was unmistakable.

Purplesful Snacking Popcorn isn’t just about delightful snacking. Their mission goes deeper, with 25% of their profits being directed to charitable initiatives, such as Breakfast Club of Canada, Backpack Buddies Local Charity and Hockey Diversity Alliance Charity. Every kernel pops with purpose.

Cafézia serves more than a heartwarming brew of coffee. Their fairtrade certification speaks of ethical sourcing, community empowerment, and quality. Plus, my chat with Jenna Goodhand, their Executive Director, reaffirmed their commitment to brewing change.

Deebee’s Organics wears its B Corp badge proudly. Behind their organic treats lies a drive to champion inclusivity and support the needs of mother’s and

working parents, truly reflecting the strong values of Founder and PhD Medical Scientist Dr. Dionne Baker.

Guardians of the Green:

Many brands wore their commitment to the environment on their sleeves.

Humble Potato Chips, led by the passionate Alicia Lahey, Co-Founder & CEO, is revolutionizing eco-friendly snacking. Their groundbreaking compostable chip bag embodies their commitment to taste and the environment. Alicia’s vision seamlessly marries culinary excellence with sustainable responsibility.

The Unscented Company, another proud B Corp, echoes purity in their products and an unyielding passion for environmental care. Founder & CEO, Anie Rouleau, is also one of the kindest souls in our industry and we are so grateful for her sage insights during our own B Corp application process.

ECOS showcased their plant-derived cleaners, each reflecting their commitment to a greener planet. My engaging discussion with Ron Tallia, Vice President – Business Development at ECOS, reinforced the idea that businesses can and should play a pivotal role in championing environmental sustainability and social good.

And speaking of clean, B Corp certified, Every Man Jack is making sure that our grooming routine doesn’t leave a carbon footprint. Snazzy and sustainable? Sign me up!

Foundations of Family Business

The tales from fellow family-run ventures and entrepreneurs were heartening, to say the least.

Nanashake weaves a delightful story of vegan treats and family bonds. Yazeed and his wife Tamara Al Dip are more than business partners; they’re life partners creating a brand legacy. Their daughter Rafa has been attending trade shows, demos and events with her parents since she was 6 and knows their business inside out. You need to read the heartwarming story of Rafa’s successful pitch for NanaPop listings at Metro Ontario.

Pepper North Artisan Foods with Anna Stevens narrating their journey to me, showcased the intricate blend of personal and professional lives with her business partner and husband Drew Stevens in the crafting of their delicious artisanal hot sauces. Which was featured on the hit show “Hot Ones” Season 11!

The GFB (Gluten Free Brothers): Jeremy and Jordan Eber are the driving force behind The Gluten Free Brothers. Inspired by personal challenges to find quality gluten-free options, these siblings founded a brand blending flavor and integrity. Their B Corp certification underscores their dedication to ethical and sustainable

practices. With every bite of their products, you’re tasting not just innovation, but the passion of two brothers transforming gluten-free living.

In Retrospect…

The CHFA Now show was more than just an industry event; it was a reflection of dreams, stories, and a collective drive for better. Each brand, each handshake, and each product unveiled tales of ambition, dedication, and heart.

Here’s to a brighter, more conscientious future in the realm of health and wellness. We can only move forward!

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Top Trends in the Canadian CPG Industry: A Deep Dive into eCommerce, Personalization, Health & Wellness, Sustainability, AI, and Loyalty Data

B Corp blog graphic
Top Trends in the Canadian CPG Industry: A Deep Dive into eCommerce, Personalization, Health & Wellness, Sustainability, AI, and Loyalty Data
By Joe Lyons-Rising

May 2023

The Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) industry in Canada is witnessing big changes. As we move ahead, let’s unravel the significant trends shaping the future of CPG in Canada.

Firstly, eCommerce has experienced unprecedented growth in the CPG sector. With the pandemic-triggered surge in online shopping since 2020, it has become critical for Canadian CPG companies to streamline their eCommerce platforms and enhance their online customer journey. Leveraging data analytics to understand consumer behaviour is key to offering tailored experiences.

Next, the spotlight is on personalization. Today’s consumers expect customized experiences. CPG retailers and vendors are leveraging data analytics to deliver personalized product recommendations and promotions. It’s like experiencing the convenience of a personal shopping assistant from your home!

Another trend gaining momentum is health and wellness. Data-driven insights are enabling CPG brands to comprehend consumer attitudes towards a healthier lifestyle, empowering them to develop and promote health-conscious products. Who doesn’t love the sense of well-being that comes with a healthy choice?

Sustainability is increasingly becoming a top priority in the Canadian CPG industry. Brands are taking strides to minimize waste, evolve environmentally sustainable products and packaging, and understand consumer attitudes towards sustainability using data analytics. It’s our chance to contribute to the planet, one product at a time!

Embracing AI and Machine Learning is the way forward for CPG companies. These technologies offer the ability to dissect large data sets and make insightful, timely decisions. Such as optimizing promotions and trade spend. 

Lastly, loyalty card data continues to be an invaluable resource. CPG companies can utilize this information to understand consumer purchasing trends, preferred products, and popular brands. It’s the big data of the CPG industry, with deep learning of your customers’ preferences.

In conclusion, these are the top trends shaping the Canadian CPG industry. Stay up-to-date on these trends and the latest technologies to gain a competitive edge in the market.

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Are consumers willing to pay more for sustainable CPG products?

Are consumers willing to pay more for sustainable CPG products?
By Joe Lyons-Rising

March 2023

According to a new joint study by NielsenIQ and McKinsey & Company that analyzed sales growth for products that claim to be environmentally and socially responsible dubbed “Consumers care about sustainability—and back it up with their wallets” the answer to that question is: YES!

Eco-friendly packaging options are not new to the CPG (FMCG) industry, however the higher costs associated with sustainable packaging have made the rollout painfully slow. And whether or not you agree, the fact remained that consumers in the past 30 years have not been as motivated to spend more on products that are fully recyclable or compostable.

It still blows my mind that in 2023, where we are trying to move away from single use plastics in CPG, retail tray packed meat is still primarily packaged on non-recyclable Styrofoam. Something QSR burger chains moved away from decades ago, opting for recyclable corrugate.

The positive news for manufacturers and the industry as a whole is that we appear to be beyond the risk/reward tipping point of moving to more sustainable product and packaging options. Even with historically high inflation hitting household grocery bills. 

Commercializing such ESG-friendly products turns out to be not just a value and socially minded goal but a smart business strategy for growth now and in the years to come.

Key highlights from the study:

  • 60 percent of respondents said they’d pay more for a product with sustainable packaging
  • 78 percent of US consumers say that a sustainable lifestyle is important to them
  • Products making ESG-related claims averaged 28 percent cumulative growth over the past five-year period, versus 20 percent for products that made no such claims
  • Environmental, social, and governance-related claims can help boost growth for a variety of brand types
  • Appeal of environmentally and socially responsible products isn’t limited to niche audiences and is making genuine headway with broad swaths of America
  • Brands with more sales from products making environmental, social, and governance-related claims enjoy greater loyalty

Read the full study HERE

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More Immigration = Economic Growth

People waving Canadian Flags
More Immigration = Economic Growth
By Carly Lyons-Rising

December 2022

Big Plans for Economic Growth in Canada! 

Canada is currently in a unique period where there is a labour shortage alongside nearly one million job vacancies. Both are driving factors in the country’s growing immigration targets.

You may have seen that the Government of Canada has announced it is setting targets in the new levels plan of 465,000 permanent residents in 2023, 485,000 in 2024 and 500,000 in 2025. Most of those new arrivals will be what are known as economic immigrants, who will be expected to fill some of the roughly one million jobs that are currently sitting empty across various sectors of the economy.

These critical labour market shortages are affecting many businesses and workers across the country and we can see this across Ontario which reported the country’s largest decrease in employment in the retail trade sector. This marks the second month in a row of a decrease in payroll employees in retail trade professions. However, the overall current rate of employment in retail trade is still six percent higher than it was in May 2021. 

Fun Fact! Immigration accounts for almost 100% of Canada’s labour force growth, and, by 2032, it’s projected to account for 100% of Canada’s population growth. 

Furthermore, Canada’s aging population means that the worker-to-retiree ratio is expected to shift from 7 to 1 50 years ago to 2 to 1 by 2035.


Another Fun Fact! During the 2021 Census, nearly 1 in 4 people counted were or had been a landed immigrant or permanent resident in Canada, the highest proportion since Confederation and the largest proportion among G7 countries.


I myself have experience assisting immigrants with their applications and worked directly with the government to understand the process. Setting a priority for skilled workers and experienced people who can fill these vacancies across the country is a must. But with these high targets, will we have enough housing for them? That is another blog… 

Read more on the Government’s plan to grow the economy here.

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So, like What’s a B Corp?

B Corp blog graphic
So like, What’s a B Corp?
By Carly Lyons-Rising

October 2022

If you’ve never heard of a B Corp before, don’t worry, we are here to spill the beans. 

 

B Corporations are for-profit companies with a social responsibility component. Business entities participating in the program are verified by B Lab, a nonprofit organization, to ensure they create value for their employees, community, and environment.

 

B Corp Certification is a designation that a business is meeting high standards of verified performance, accountability, and transparency on factors from employee benefits and charitable giving to supply chain practices and input materials. To learn more and to see how you score, click here.

Data Gives Back is thrilled to announce that we have begun the application process to become a B Corp along with many others like Danone Canada, The Unscented Company, Madegood Foods, Mama Earth Organics and Bullfrog Power.

Don’t change that dial, stay tuned for more B Corp updates! 

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Canadian CPG Inflation

Inflation Shark Graphic
Canadian CPG Inflation
By Joe Lyons-Rising

September 2022

“What’s the deal with inflation??” Jerry Seinfeld asks.

Well Jerry, inflation is having its biggest moment in the spotlight since the movie Jaws first debuted in theatres back in the mid 1970s.

And just like that pesky great white, the menacing Inflation is taking a big bite. But this time the target is on consumers’ wallets, drastically reducing their spending power as the cost of living significantly outpaces increases in their average incomes.

For an Economics undergrad like myself who also dabbled in financial advising, the idea of inflation is nothing new.

As an investor, you need to make sure that your rate of return on your personal investments is actually higher than inflation or you are in turn losing money as the value of money decreases.

However, in the CPG industry, inflation has historically been a good thing and a sign of category health with dollar growth outpacing tonnage gains. Usually, resulting in greater profit margins.

But, just like the historic consumer changes we experienced during the first two years of the pandemic, the tides have risen high again with inflationary waves pushing consumers to make tough decisions with their wallets, especially at the shelf.

Check out these key Canadian CPG Inflation articles to learn more:

element 54 inflation Series Part IV: Where Canadians are cutting spend

How Canadians are stretching their grocery dollars while trying to stay healthy (CBC News)

Private Label: An Inflationary Inevitability? (Numerator)

To buy or not to buy: How did inflation affect people’s grocery shopping habits? (Upsiide)

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Seasons Centre for Grieving Children’s 26th Annual Tender Hearts Gala

Seasons Centre Sign
Seasons Centre for Grieving Children’s 26th Annual Tender Hearts Gala
By Joe Lyons-Rising

July 2022

I’m still stunned by the results…

After two years of virtual events, Seasons Centre for Grieving Children welcomed back guests in person for the 26th Annual Tender Hearts Gala – “Down the Rabbit Hole” on April 29th.

 

The event featured entertainment, a live auction, an Air Canada prize raffle, and an online silent auction which allowed others who couldn’t attend in person to support the fundraising efforts.

 

As one of two Executive Grief Ambassadors for Seasons Centre, I had the opportunity to speak at the Gala and share how I founded Data Gives Back as a social enterprise in support of the Centre. 

Being back in person at this sold-out event with over 170 in attendance was incredibly meaningful for me, and the gala was a smashing success!

 

I am so pleased to share that a record-breaking total of over $119,000 was raised at this year’s Tender Hearts Gala.

 

I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to friends, family and clients for your support of this event with extremely generous sponsorships and donations. Thank you!

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Dear E-Commerce: Thank you for being a friend

Dear E-Commerce: Thank You for being a Friend
By Joe Lyons-Rising

September 2021

Dear E-Commerce: Thank you for being a friend.

Yes, it’s true, we travelled down the pandemic road and back again.

Your heart is true, you’re a PayPal and data confidante.

I have no problem telling the world about how we have taken our BFF status to new heights over the past 18 months E-Comm. You helped to keep our family fed in the safest way possible during a year and a half of hermit style living. And for that my loyalty runs deep. But you already know that my shopper data loving friend.

But our bond didn’t start post Wuhan outbreak, but all those years ago when I moved up to the suburbs from the big city and dearly missed my Leaside Longo’s. Grocery Gateway was my first bromance, with their beautifully designed trucks, incredibly courteous delivery staff and best off all, delivery of beer and wine!

Over the next 7 years we added our American pal Walmart into the E.C. fellowship, only wishing delivery at that time was an option to build that friendship further. Who would guess that I came to enjoy those outings to my local blue box store for grocery pick-up as a means of being “social”? Now your delivery runs like a well-oiled machine from Lube Express.

Our family tested out others during Covid, like Great Snack Order of 2020 from Costco.ca. And the mouth-watering confection fueled Click ‘N Collect from Loblaws in Markham. Seriously, I can’t get enough of the Reese’s line extensions.

The new kid on the block that has had kept us hangin tough is Corner Shop. In our house you have become the Tik Tok of e-commerce. Like, I can order stuff, and have it delivered in a couple hours? Whoa, mind blown.

But I need to tell you a hard truth E-Comm, Canadians still love going to shop in-store. I know it’s hard to hear, especially after everything you have done to serve our country. Don’t worry through, your war effort will never be forgotten. Actually, for many others like me, you have become their BFF too.

The billion-dollar question is who will still love you like I do? Who will continue to make over 80% of their monthly grocery purchases from the comfort of their bed while watching Netflix? What I do know for sure is that we ain’t going back to how it was before and now that millions of Canucks have experienced your Uber time-saving and high-quality shopping adventure.

So if we threw a party, and invited everyone we knew (the appropriate Covid guidelines of course).

You would see, the biggest gift would be from me (which again you know from my basket data).

With a card attached that said,

Thank your for being my E-Friend.

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