Shelf Life: Expert Voices from the Consumer Goods Industry - The Rising Cost of Data: Retailers Charging Suppliers for POS Data with Joel Beal, CEO of Alloy AI

The Rising Cost of Data: Retailers Charging Suppliers for POS Data with Joel Beal, CEO of Alloy AI

02/14/25 • 17 min

Shelf Life: Expert Voices from the Consumer Goods Industry

Join us as we discuss with Joel Beal, CEO of Alloy.ai, the increasing practice of retailers imposing fees on suppliers for data access. We examine how this shift impacts supplier-retailer relationships and the broader implications for the consumer goods industry. In this episode we explore:

Why Retailers Are Charging for POS Data – Joel Beal explains the factors driving retailers to monetize supplier access to sales and inventory data, from operational costs to new revenue streams.
Impact on CPGs and Consumer Brands – How these fees affect suppliers' ability to make data-driven decisions, manage inventory, and optimize retail partnerships.
Strategies for Navigating Data Paywalls – Joel shares insights on how brands can adapt, including leveraging alternative data sources and negotiating better access terms.
The Future of Retail Data Access – A discussion on whether this trend will continue, what it means for supplier-retailer collaboration, and how technology could change the landscape.

Why Retailers Are Charging for POS Data – Joel Beal explains the factors driving retailers to monetize supplier access to sales and inventory data, from operational costs to new revenue streams.
Impact on CPGs and Consumer Brands – How these fees affect suppliers' ability to make data-driven decisions, manage inventory, and optimize retail partnerships.
Strategies for Navigating Data Paywalls – Joel shares insights on how brands can adapt, including leveraging alternative data sources and negotiating better access terms.
The Future of Retail Data Access – A discussion on whether this trend will continue, what it means for supplier-retailer collaboration, and how technology could change the landscape.

Previous Episode

How Brands are Demand Planning in 2024 with Westernacher's Alexis Lozada

In this episode of Shelf Life, we’re joined by Alexis Lozada, Associate Principal for Supply Chain Planning at Westernacher Consulting. With over two decades of experience at companies like Del Monte Foods and SAP, Alexis shares his unique insights into the evolving landscape of supply chain planning. Together, we explore how consumer goods brands are adapting to trends, leveraging technology, and navigating new challenges in demand planning for 2024. Alexis delves into the skills planners need, the importance of scenario planning, and the strategic shifts reshaping the industry.

Key Topics Covered

The Planner of the Future: Why modern planners need a blend of communication, quantitative skills, and a network-based perspective.
Scenario Planning: The pivotal role of scenario analysis in understanding supply chain drivers and managing variability.
CPG Industry Trends: How changing consumer preferences, private labels, and e-commerce are challenging traditional brands.
AI in Supply Chain: Separating hype from reality and understanding the practical applications of AI to enhance supply chain processes.

Next Episode

Tariff Shock: What Now for Consumer Brands?

Tariffs just rewrote the rules — now what?

In this episode of Shelf Life, Joel Beal, CEO of Alloy.ai and “recovering economist,” and Logan Ensign, Alloy.ai's Chief Customer Officer dig into the chaos unleashed by the sudden announcement of new U.S. tariffs. The implications for the consumer goods industry are huge — and unfolding fast.

From conversations with leading brands and retailers, Joel shares what he's hearing in real-time and offers early guidance for decision-makers who need to act — but are frozen by uncertainty.

We cover:

Why this latest round of tariffs caught most companies off guard — despite the warnings
Who actually pays for tariffs, and the early-stage tug-of-war between brands, retailers, and consumers
The ripple effect on manufacturing, freight, pricing, and demand
Tactical ways companies are already scenario planning and tweaking terms to minimize impact
Why now is not the time to make major shifts — and what you can do instead
The surprising potential global shifts in product development and market focus
What the Nintendo Switch 2 has to do with all this

If you’re trying to balance cost-cutting, pricing, and planning amid the noise — this is the clear-headed breakdown you need.

Shelf Life: Expert Voices from the Consumer Goods Industry - The Rising Cost of Data: Retailers Charging Suppliers for POS Data with Joel Beal, CEO of Alloy AI

Transcript

Logan Ensign00:00:01.362

From Alloy AI . This is Shelf Life .

Logan Ensign00:00:18.460

Today , we're featuring a conversation with my colleague and co-host , joel Beal , ceo and co-founder of Alloy AI , about how retailers are increasingly looking to monetize their data and how consumer brands are paying steeper costs . How far will this trend go ? Are the insights worth the cost ?