Grocery Pulse Podcast by Innovar Marketing Agency | Insights for Retailers
Introducing the GroceryPulse Podcast by Innovar Marketing Agency! Reimagined to bring you the latest insights, strategies, and innovations in grocery retail, GroceryPulse is hosted by George Goodwin, a fourth-generation grocer and Innovar’s lead strategist. Each episode dives into the unique challenges and opportunities facing today’s independent grocers and retail chains. We’re excited to present engaging discussions with industry experts, successful grocers, and thought leaders sharing real-world tips and best practices. From enhancing store operations and leveraging data-driven strategies to elevating customer experiences and driving growth, we cover the topics that matter most to your business. GroceryPulse also brings you inspiring stories from family-owned businesses and insights into the transformative innovations shaping the future of grocery retail. Our mission is to support grocers in their journey toward growth and success with actionable advice that keeps you ahead of the curve. Whether you’re a CPG brand trying to understand the grocery world, an independent grocer looking to expand, or a large chain seeking fresh strategies, our podcast is your go-to resource for practical guidance and inspiration. Subscribe now and join a community of forward-thinking grocers committed to excellence. Learn more at www.innovaragency.com or reach us at marketing@innovarmarketing.com. #InnovarAgency #GroceryPulse #ItsAGoodwin
Episodes
In this episode of GroceryPulse, host George Goodwin sits down with Brian Smith, founder of UGG and author of The Birth of a Brand. Brian shares how UGG started from six pairs of sheepskin surf boots and grew into a global, billion-dollar brand — and why that journey had far more struggle than overnight success.
He explains how brand building is less about logos and trademarks, and more about what consumers feel and say about you, h...
In this episode of the GroceryPulse Podcast, host George Goodwin sits down with Walker, founder of The Happy Mushroom Company, for a deep conversation on the future of grocery, functional foods, and building a health-focused CPG brand from the ground up.
Together, they explore how mushrooms are reshaping wellness, why consumers are shifting toward functional nutrition, and what it really takes to launch and scale a natural products ...
Independent grocers and emerging CPGs are rethinking which trade shows actually move the needle. In this GroceryPulse Podcast, host George Goodwin talks with Jeremiah Bogenhagen (President, Positively Natural Network and CEO of Health Essentials) about the Naturally Independent Expo in Palm Springs—why it’s intentionally small, how it maximizes retailer–supplier face time, and the education tracks built for indie retailers (not jus...
In this episode of the GroceryPulse Podcast, host George Goodwin sits down with Kevin Kelley, Co-Founder of Shook Kelley, to explore the future of grocery through the lens of emotional science, design, and human connection.
They uncover how smell, sensory engagement, and behavior architecture influence consumer decision-making — and why successful grocers are moving beyond convenience to create meaningful, community-driven experienc...
Independent and regional grocers don’t just need impressions—they need measurable lift. In this episode of GroceryPulse, host George Goodwin (4th-gen grocer & founder of Innovar Marketing) sits down with Steve Dietch, Chief Revenue Officer at Bridg and retail-media network Rippl, to unpack how identity resolution and POS-level purchase data are changing the game for regional chains and C-stores.
Bridg / Rippl helps retailers ide...
Local grocers don’t need another “awareness-only” social tactic—they need sales. On this episode of GroceryPulse, host George Goodwin (4th-gen grocer & founder of Innovar Marketing) sits down with Oskar Wahlbäck, founder & CEO of Commentsell, to explore how European-style “reserve in comments” deals are transforming social media into a true sales channel.
Already powering 250+ stores in Sweden and Denmark—with 85,000+ ca...
In this episode of the GroceryPulse Podcast, host George Goodwin sits down with Ron Fong, President & CEO of the California Grocers Association (CGA), for an insightful conversation on leadership, advocacy, and the future of grocery.Ron shares his personal journey from growing up in his family’s grocery store to becoming one of the most influential voices for California’s grocery industry. Together, George and Ron explore:- The...
What does the future of retail media look like?
In this episode of GroceryPulse by Innovar Marketing Agency, host George Goodwin sits down with Chase Binnie, CEO of RetailWire — the leading retail industry thought leadership platform with 1M+ monthly readers and 8 acquisitions under its belt.
Chase shares how he went from designing album art in high school to running a 23-year-old legacy media company that curates conversations with ...
In this episode of Grocery Pulse, host George Goodwin speaks with Stu Gavurin, founder of Opsense, about the transformative role of smart technology in food safety, compliance, and efficiency within the grocery and consumer packaged goods (CPG) sectors. They discuss the inspiration behind Opsense, the significant issue of food waste, and the importance of real-time monitoring and alerts in grocery operations. The conversation also ...
In this episode of GroceryPulse, host George Goodwin sits down with CJ Warstler, the inventor of the Handycart Workstation, to unpack how one simple tool is revolutionizing efficiency in retail environments. With over 30 years of experience in sales and consulting, CJ shares the real-world problems that inspired him to create a smarter, more effective workstation—right from his own garage.
Together, they explore the process of proto...
In this episode of GroceryPulse, host George Goodwin sits down with design experts Adam Steinberg and Henry Casanova to explore the evolving world of CPG packaging and grocery retail design. Together, they dive deep into the importance of clarity in packaging, how consumer behavior drives design decisions, and why eco-friendly packaging is more than just a trend.
The conversation touches on the power of A/B testing and customer ...
In this episode of GroceryPulse, host George Goodwin speaks with Blake and Stephanie Alexandre of Alexandre Family Farm, the first certified regenerative dairy farm in the U.S. They share the inspiring story of building a family farm rooted in stewardship, nutrition, and sustainability—and how their mission is reshaping the dairy industry.
From the power of regenerative farming practices that restore soil health to the nutrition...
In this episode of GroceryPulse, host George Goodwin sits down with Kelly Damewood, CEO of California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF), to unpack the future of organic farming, certification, and consumer trust. Together, they explore how organic and regenerative agriculture can become the norm—not the exception—through smart certification, clear communication, and authentic leadership.
Kelly shares her personal journey from suburba...
In this episode of GroceryPulse, host George Goodwin sits down with Deborah Sanchez, an HR consultant with nearly 20 years of experience advising C-suite leaders at one of California’s largest utility companies. From her beginnings as a young mom seeking stability to now shaping corporate HR strategy, Deborah shares powerful insights on employee retention, mentorship, workplace culture, and leadership grounded in compassion.
Whether...
In this episode of GroceryPulse by Innovar Agency, host George Goodwin welcomes James W. Keyes, former CEO of 7-Eleven and Blockbuster, and Chairman of Wild Oats Marketing LLC. James brings decades of leadership experience from some of the most iconic brands in retail, and today, he shares his unique insights on leadership, innovation, and the future of the retail industry.
The conversation delves into James’s leadership journey at ...
In this episode of Grocery Pulse by Innovar Agency, host George Goodwin sits down with Bob Reeves, Executive Vice President and Associate Publisher at Shelby Publishing. As a grocery media expert and USC Food Industry Management Program alumnus, Bob shares insights from over two decades of documenting and influencing the grocery industry. The conversation dives into the critical role of grocery media in shaping industry trends and ...
In this episode of Grocery Pulse by Innovar Agency, host George Goodwin, a fourth-generation grocer and retail strategist, sits down with Austin and Brennen, co-founders of Sleke. Sleke is revolutionizing workplace productivity with its “smart dumb phone,” designed to eliminate distractions and enhance focus.
The conversation explores the impact of smartphone distractions on grocery and retail operations, with eye-opening stat...
In this exciting episode of the GroceryPulse Podcast, George Goodwin welcomes Krysta Palmer, Olympic Bronze Medalist and USA Diving National Team member, to explore what grocery leaders and store owners can learn from athletes. Krysta shares her journey from earning medals on the global stage to preparing for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, all while balancing a Kinesiology degree and an MBA.
Grocery executives and teams will ...
In this episode of the GroceryPulse Podcast, George Goodwin is joined by Ron Bonacci, Vice President of Marketing and Merchandising at Big Y Foods. With over 20 years of experience in the grocery and retail industry, Ron shares his expertise in crafting innovative marketing strategies and driving customer engagement. The conversation delves into the evolving role of marketing in the grocery sector, the importance of understanding c...
In this episode of the GroceryPulse Podcast, we sit down with Kevin Coupe, the host of the renowned MorningNewsBeat and a grocery industry veteran with over 40 years of experience. Kevin shares his invaluable insights into the evolving world of grocery retail, offering advice on how retailers can stay relevant, embrace technology, and create a unique store identity. From the rise of e-commerce to the power of customer feedback, Ke...
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