Retail buying groups are reshaping the balance of power in Europe's grocery landscape.

In this episode of Retail Sound Bites, Barry Thomas and Rachel Dalton are joined by Paida Mugudubi to unpack how buying groups work, why they've grown so influential across Europe, and what they mean for brands navigating pricing, negotiations, private label, and retail media in a world where "nothing stays local."

Have a topic you'd like us to cover? Contact us at Kantar's Retail Sound Bites Podcast.

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In this episode of Retail Sound Bites, Barry Thomas and Rachel Dalton welcome back Andy Murray, former Executive Chairman of Saatchi & Saatchi X and CEO of BigQuest Advisory, to discuss the future of AI through the lens of original research titled Minds on the Machine.

Based on insights from graduating seniors at the University of Arkansas' Walton College of Business, the conversation reveals a strong theme of pragmatic optimism. While students recognize AI's growing role across industries, they are deeply focused on preserving human judgment, creativity, and connection. Andy explains why taste and judgment remain the true human advantage as AI becomes more efficient yet increasingly homogeneous.

The episode explores agentic AI, the future of marketing and commerce, and why brands and retailers must invest not only in technology, but equally in developing human capabilities to thrive in an AI‑enabled world.

Have a topic you'd like us to cover? Contact us at Kantar's Retail Sound Bites Podcast.

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Retail Sound Bites marks a major milestone with its 100th episode, celebrating four years of conversations at the intersection of retail, CPG, and commerce transformation. Hosts Barry Thomas and Rachel Dalton kick off the episode by reflecting on the journey so far and spotlighting the top 10 most‑listened‑to episodes from the past four years.

The episode also features Ted Riedel, President of Kantar's North American Retail Practice, and James May, EVP of CPG & Hospitality. In a fast‑paced, candid conversation, they explore:

· How modern health, GLP‑1s, and protein‑led innovation are reshaping portfolios

· Why agentic commerce, AI, and algorithmic decision‑making are the next frontier

· The evolving, often fractured but interdependent relationship between brands and retailers

· Which KPIs matter less today and why incrementality, precision, and proprietary data matter more

· What it really takes to future‑proof a CPG organization in 2026 and beyond

Have a topic you'd like us to cover? Contact us at Kantar's Retail Sound Bites Podcast.

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