Episode 327

full
Published on:

21st Jun 2025

Lightning Round: Costco Brisket, Corvette Dreams & Cheerios Chaos

Ever wonder what retail experts actually buy at Costco or what cars they dream about driving? This lightning round reveals the personal side of our A&M retail gurus, from brisket smoking tips to the shocking number of Cheerios varieties on shelves. Brought to you by A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Simbe, Infios, Clear Demand, and Ocampo Capital.

For the full episode, head here: https://youtu.be/vjOmUkH_Vhw?si=9f8KlsQw8yUdPqan



#cheerios #corvettes #costco



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Transcript
Speaker A:

All right, you guys, let's go to the lightning round.

Speaker A:

We're going to continue a Costco conversation.

Speaker A:

Bryson, this first one's going to you, but Brooks will let you answer it, too, because of your love of Costco, the hot dogs, and all of the above.

Speaker A:

Bryson, Costco is in the news a lot this week.

Speaker A:

What's your favorite Costco product, and is it worth getting inside Costco an extra hour early to procure it?

Speaker B:

Yeah, no.

Speaker B:

Absolutely.

Speaker B:

Great question.

Speaker B:

So an exciting one, too.

Speaker B:

So, you know, first off, caveat that with I have four children under the age of 14, so I am in Costco a lot.

Speaker B:

Right.

Speaker B:

Quite a bit.

Speaker B:

If I had to break it down, though, what's my absolute favorite item to buy there?

Speaker B:

You know, I really go for the brisket.

Speaker B:

I've really, you know, kind of got into smoking meats over the past number of years and really trying to hone that as a skill.

Speaker B:

You know, love all things Texas when it comes to barbecue, and in trying to emulate that as best I can in Arizona, albeit, you know, it's still a struggle and still learning, but that is probably, you know, my favorite item when I go shop there amongst, you know, a multitude of others.

Speaker B:

The shift to offering, you know, one hour earlier shopping convenience, you know, for the business members, you know, is that a value proposition that I would go in to buy that product early enough?

Speaker B:

No.

Speaker B:

But, you know, it is compelling enough for me to avoid the congestion in the lines.

Speaker C:

Yes.

Speaker B:

You know, given the, you know, affinity I have for Costco and the frequency I'm there, I kind of have an endearing term for Costco.

Speaker B:

I call it Zombieland.

Speaker B:

You get in there in high peak areas, you get everybody just meandering around with their cards, trying all the samples.

Speaker B:

You know, if you just want to get in and get out, becomes a bit of a challenge.

Speaker B:

So, yeah, the ability to kind of avoid that congestion would be compelling enough for me.

Speaker A:

All right, Brooks, are you.

Speaker A:

Is the hot dog your favorite product, or do you have another product that you'd buy?

Speaker D:

Hey, my family still goes to Costco just for lunch.

Speaker D:

We don't.

Speaker D:

Don't even go back.

Speaker D:

Well, maybe lunch.

Speaker D:

And the produce.

Speaker D:

Well, maybe lunch, produce and the gas.

Speaker D:

Those three things.

Speaker A:

All right.

Speaker C:

Nice, nice.

Speaker C:

You know, the interesting, subtle theme of this, too, is, you know, makes me wonder if Costco's getting severe customer survey feedback or data that the parking lots are too congested, you know, and it's.

Speaker C:

It's hampering them.

Speaker C:

It's.

Speaker C:

It's potentially a real tell here all right, question two to Bryson.

Speaker C:

GM unveiled the quickest Corvette ever with its ZR1X hypercar, which goes from zero to 60 miles per hour in less than two seconds.

Speaker C:

Seconds earlier this week.

Speaker C:

Where does the Corvette rank for you in the pantheon of great automobiles?

Speaker B:

So, Brooks, I think you were the one passionate about this actually, given your affinity for automobiles.

Speaker B:

So I'll let you take that one.

Speaker D:

ey, for me, Nothing beats the:

Speaker D:

Does anybody remember that?

Speaker C:

Of course.

Speaker C:

Of course.

Speaker D:

Pontiac Firebird.

Speaker D:

ven my first car, which was a:

Speaker A:

Oh, my God.

Speaker D:

That had a aftermarket JVC cassette deck.

Speaker A:

Oh, my gosh.

Speaker C:

Oh, my God.

Speaker C:

I think I'd skip that one, but I take the Corvette Stingray every day of the week and twice on Sundays.

Speaker C:

Go ahead, Bryson.

Speaker B:

So.

Speaker B:

So, Brooks, fun fact that I don't think we've talked about, but you know, my cousin's husband was involved with the reboot of Knight Rider in lead and they shift the Ford, the.

Speaker B:

The Mustang in that regards.

Speaker B:

What are your thoughts there?

Speaker D:

Well, you just created some sadness for me.

Speaker C:

Just died a little bit.

Speaker C:

Just died a little bit.

Speaker D:

I'm headed to Costco now.

Speaker A:

Oh, my gosh.

Speaker A:

Well, I have a.

Speaker A:

I have another option for you, brooks.

Speaker A:

Question number three.

Speaker A:

This year, McDonald's is celebrating 50 years of the Egg McMuffin.

Speaker A:

In case that sounds more appealing to you than the hot dog, if not the egg McMuffin, describe your perfect breakfast sandwich.

Speaker D:

Oh, hey, I'll be right back.

Speaker D:

I'm going out right now to get an egg McMuffin.

Speaker D:

I want that.

Speaker D:

Hey, from New Jersey.

Speaker D:

Everything starts and ends with Bagel Masters Egg everything bagel.

Speaker D:

They used to sell T shirts at Bagel Masters with the words I love gluten.

Speaker C:

Nice.

Speaker C:

I think I'm with you.

Speaker C:

My perfect breakfast sandwich also has a bagel.

Speaker C:

All right, last one.

Speaker C:

Cheerios.

Speaker C:

Has recently pulled and discontinued Honey Nut Cheerios, Medley Crunch, Chocolate peanut butter Cheerios and Honey Nut Cheerios Minis from its from store shelves.

Speaker C:

Let's see.

Speaker C:

Bryson, I think this one goes to you.

Speaker C:

If not, we'll just figure it out.

Speaker C:

How saddened are you by this news?

Speaker C:

And given the choice, are you more straight up Cheerios or more Honey Nut?

Speaker B:

So not affected by this one.

Speaker B:

So I am straight up Honey Nut Cheerios.

Speaker B:

Bowl of Honey Nut Cheerios.

Speaker B:

You know, if I'm feeling crazy, a little sliced banana in there.

Speaker B:

It's kind of the perfect little breakfast if I'm on the go I think, you know, what I am saddened by and surprised by at the same time is just the proliferation of SKUs that you know, Cheerios has introduced.

Speaker B:

I think, you know, last looking at the website, there's over 23 different varieties.

Speaker B:

Again being that long term, you know, loyalist to Honey Nut, I didn't realize their extensive, the extensivity of their portfolio went that deep.

Speaker B:

So it was a bit surprised to see kind of the, the number of extensions.

Speaker B:

But I think also too it speaks to, you know, them staying close to the consumer trends and understanding what's top of mind for consumer.

Speaker B:

I think, you know, recently they've launched into a protein based cereal so capturing it on that health and wellness aspect.

Speaker B:

So I think, you know, kudos to Cheerios for staying relevant, staying top of mind, you know, being willing to take those risks and identify potential new opportunities in test and learn.

Speaker B:

So I think it's a natural evolution.

Speaker B:

Am I saddened by it?

Speaker B:

You know, not directly because I think it also speaks to, you know, them being at the forefront of trying new options and bringing different flavor combinations forward.

Speaker C:

You and me both.

Speaker C:

I went on the website yesterday too.

Speaker C:

in their products by I think:

Speaker C:

So yeah, a lot happening in the food industry right now.

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About the Podcast

Omni Talk Retail
Omni Talk Retail provides news, analysis, and commentary on the latest trends and issues in the retail industry
Omni Talk Retail provides news, analysis, and commentary on the latest trends and issues in the retail industry. It covers a wide range of topics related to retail, including e-commerce, technology, marketing, and consumer behavior. The podcast regularly features industry experts, Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga, as well as retail thought leaders who all share their insights and perspectives on the latest developments in retail.

About your hosts

Anne Mezzenga

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Anne Mezzenga is an entrepreneurial Marketing Executive with nearly 20 years in the retail, experience design, and technology industries.

Currently, she is one of the founders and Co-CEOs of Omni Talk.

Prior to her latest ventures, Anne was most recently the Head of Marketing and Partnerships for Target’s Store of the Future project. Early in her career, Anne worked as a producer for advertising agencies, Martin Williams and Fallon, and as a producer and reporter for news affiliates NBC New York and KMSP Minneapolis.

Anne holds a BA in Journalism from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities.

When Anne is not busy blogging, podcasting, or sharing her expertise with clients, she loves spending time with her husband and two boys and partaking in all the Minneapolis food scene has to offer.

Chris Walton

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