Motivate distributors, retailers, and other intermediaries to pass along important intelligence.
Marketing intermediaries are often closer to the customer and competition and can offer
helpful insights. ConAgra has initiated a study with some of its retailers such as Safeway,
Kroger, and Walmart to study how and why people buy its foods. Finding that shoppers who
bought their Orville Redenbacher and Act II brands of popcorn tended to also buy Coke,
ConAgra worked with the retailers to develop in-store displays for both products. Combining
retailers’ data with its own qualitative insights, ConAgra learned that many mothers switched to
time-saving meals and snacks when school started. It launched its “Seasons of Mom” campaign
to help grocers adjust to seasonal shifts in household needs.