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 identify unknown shoppers (beyond loyalty programs), unify first-party data, and then activate audiences across the open web, video, and CTV—with closed-loop measurement back to the register. For CPGs, that means scalable, hard-to-reach audiences at regional grocers and convenience—plus transparent IROAS (incremental return on ad spend).

• How identity beyond loyalty unlocks true scale for regional grocers

• Why POS item-level data is the “crown jewel” for targeting & measurement

• How Rippl aggregates retailers into a national-scale network for CPG spend

• Practical ways CPGs use these audiences for off-site media (Google, Yahoo, TTD, CTV)

• What metrics matter most (closed-loop transparency & incremental ROAS)

When every campaign targets real purchasers—and reports back to POS—you move from “awareness” to accountable revenue.

00:00 — Intro to GroceryPulse + guest setup
03:03 — Steve’s journey: UCR track → global tech → startups → CRO at Bridg
05:56 — Retail media’s rise & why it matters to grocers/CPGs
08:51 — Identity beyond loyalty: closing the “unknown shopper” gap
12:01 — Using purchase data for competitive advantage
14:51 — Building a retail-media network for regional grocers & C-stores (Ripple)
17:47 — Connecting transactions to anonymized, enriched shopper profiles
20:49 — What this unlocks for CPG targeting, activation & measurement
24:29 — Defining customer personas with real purchase behavior
26:03 — Retailer & CPG pain points—and how identity solves them
29:27 — POS data as the crown jewel: targeting + closed-loop proof
32:08 — Bridging the retail marketing gap beyond loyalty programs
34:06 — Getting precise with ICPs (who, where, how to reach)
38:54 — Common hesitations & easy on-ramps for retailers/CPGs
41:22 — Success metrics: sales lift, ROAS, incremental ROAS
44:02 — What’s next: growth, scale, and transparency in 2025

• Bridg / Rippl: Audience building, activation, and POS-based measurement

• Request a demo (Rippl ): https://www.ripplnetwork.com/

• Learn more (Bridge): https://www.bridg.com/

• Will be published on all major boradcasting sites:

  YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and more!

• Steve Dietch — LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevendietch/

  steve.dietch@bridg.com

• George Goodwin — LinkedIn

  https://www.linkedin.com/in/number-one-marketer/

  george@innovaragency.com

  podcast@innovaragency.com

• Innovar Marketing Agency — www.innovaragency.com/blog

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 importance of independent grocers as community anchors- How COVID-19 highlighted grocery stores as essential hubs- The role of legislation and advocacy in shaping grocery operations- California’s influence as a “crystal ball” for future laws nationwide- Why compromise is crucial in the legislative process- Opportunities for technology and innovation in retail- Recruiting and educating the next generation of grocersRon also shares humorous stories from his early days in grocery and sheds light on the challenges—and opportunities—that define today’s grocery industry.👉 Whether you’re a grocer, CPG brand, or industry professional, this episode offers real-world insights on policy, leadership, and growth.📌 Chapters00:00 – Introduction to Ron Fong and CGA01:31 – Growing Up in the Grocery Business04:15 – From Grocer to Lobbyist: A Career Journey10:23 – Experiences and Changes in the California Legislature16:35 – The Importance of People in Business22:32 – Grocery Stores as Community Hubs30:54 – Understanding Lobbying and CGA's Role33:32 – Wacky Laws and Legislative Challenges34:51 – The Evolution of Environmental Legislation43:08 – California's Influence on National Legislation51:11 – Balancing Interests: Chains vs. Independents56:07 – The Future of Grocery: Education and Innovation🔗

Links & ResourcesCalifornia Grocers Association (CGA) –

Website: https://www.cagrocers.comContact CGA: https://www.cagrocers.com/about/contact-us/

Phone: (916) 448-3545

California Grocers Association | Gather California 2025September 21 – September 23, 2025

The Westin Rancho Mirage Resort

Podcast Home: https://grocerypulse.comListen to more episodes: https://grocerypulse.com/podcastRead the GroceryPulse

Blog: https://grocerypulse.com/blog

Watch all episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@grocerypulseInnovar Marketing Agency – Blog (grocery/CPG marketing insights):

https://www.enjoykobu.com 👉 Don’t forget to subscribe for more conversations with the leaders shaping the future of retail & grocery.

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 over 100 retail thought leaders. Together, George and Chase dive into:

• 🚀 How RetailWire became a trusted voice in grocery & CPG

• 🛒 The role of media & storytelling in shaping retail strategy

• 🤖 Why AI is both an opportunity and a challenge for grocers & brands

• 💡 How authentic, founder-led voices drive trust and customer loyalty

• 📈 Why 67% of retail execs use digital media to guide business decisions (NRF)

• 🌎 The rise of retail roundtables & peer-to-peer knowledge sharing

Whether you’re a grocer, CPG founder, retail operator, or marketer, this conversation will give you fresh insight into how media, community, and technology are reshaping the future of retail.

00:00 – Welcome to GroceryPulse01:01 – Meet Chase Binnie, CEO of RetailWire03:00 – RetailWire’s 23-Year Journey & 1M Readers06:00 – How Media Shapes Grocery & CPG Decisions09:00 – AI in Retail: Hype vs. Real Value12:00 – Founder Stories & Authentic Branding18:00 – The Rise of Roundtables & Peer Learning23:00 – Pepsi x Poppy & the Power of Founder-Led Brands26:00 – Marketing, Attention & the Human Element30:00 – Leadership, Creativity & What Makes Chase Smile36:00 – The Future of Retail Media & RetailWire’s Next Moves

🌐 Learn more about RetailWire → retailwire.com
📧 Connect with Chase Binnie → LinkedIn / sales@retailwire.com

🎧 Listen to more episodes of GroceryPulse → Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube
📧 Be Featured on GroceryPulse → marketing@innovaragency.com

🥤 Our Sponsor: Kōbu Kombucha Powder – Fuel your gut health, hydration & energy in one refreshing stick.
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⏱️ Chapters🔗 Resources & Links

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 touches on the challenges retailers face in food safety compliance, the future of food safety technology, and the operational wins experienced by retailers using Opsense. Throughout the discussion, Gavurin emphasizes the need for technology that simplifies processes and enhances customer experience, while also sharing personal insights on maintaining a sharp entrepreneurial spirit.

Takeaways

• Smart technology is revolutionizing food safety and compliance.
• Food waste in the U.S. amounts to over $218 billion annually.
• Opsense was inspired by the needs of mid-sized grocers.
• Real-time monitoring can prevent significant food loss.
• Independents are quicker to adopt new technology than corporates.
• Data collection is crucial for identifying patterns in food safety.
• Store walks are essential for maintaining operational efficiency.
• Automation can free up employees to focus on customer service.
• The metric of 'saves' is vital for understanding operational success.
• Peace of mind is a key benefit of using Opsense.

• 
  

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Smart Technology in Grocery

03:19 The Inspiration Behind Opsens

06:30 The Impact of Food Waste

10:42 Implementing Technology for Efficiency

15:40 Tips for Reducing Food Loss

20:32 The Importance of Store Walks

24:10 Enhancing Customer Experience through Automation

28:08 Challenges in Food Safety Compliance

32:37 Future Trends in Food Safety Technology

39:00 Predictive Analytics in Retail

42:55 Operational Wins and Metrics

50:19 The Importance of Non-Negotiables

53:52 Finding Joy in Everyday Moments

01:03:35 Lessons Learned in Scaling a Business

🎧 Listen Now⁠Spotify⁠ | ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ | ⁠More Platforms & Show Notes⁠

We’re always looking for leaders in grocery, retail, and CPG with a story to share.

🌐 Learn More: ⁠www.opsense.com⁠ 📧 More Info⁠

• ⁠https://www.innovaragency.com/blog/-smart-tech-in-grocery-how-opsense-is-helping-grocers-prevent-loss-boost-compliance-reduce-food-waste

• ⁠What Does Kōbu Mean? The Inspiring Roots Behind Kōbu Kombucha Powder, the Trending CPG Product⁠

🚀 Want to Be Featured on GroceryPulse?🖨

📧 Email: ⁠⁠podcast@innovaragency.com⁠⁠

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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 prototyping, gathering user feedback, and launching the Handycart into stores across the country. CJ highlights the importance of employee satisfaction, the value of U.S.-based manufacturing, and the growing demand for practical tools that make retail work faster and easier.

From improving retention to streamlining in-store resets, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to bring a purpose-driven product to life—and how a focus on usability, quality, and innovation can lead to game-changing results.

🎯 Key Takeaways:

✅ Handycart was born from real-world retail challenges
✅ CJ’s 30+ years in sales guided the development process
✅ Prototyping and user feedback led to continuous product improvements
✅ The cart boosts efficiency, saves time, and reduces employee fatigue
✅ U.S. manufacturing ensures high-quality and consistent builds
✅ It’s being used beyond grocery—in hardware stores, CPG resets, and more
✅ Employee satisfaction is a key factor in retention and productivity
✅ Positive testimonials are driving organic growth
✅ CJ continues to innovate based on customer needs

⏱️ Chapters:

00:00 – Introduction to Handycart Workstation
02:55 – The Journey of CJ Warstler
06:02 – Designing for Real Retail Challenges
09:08 – The Power of Prototyping and Feedback
12:00 – Market Launch and Customer Response
14:53 – Boosting Employee Efficiency and Morale
18:15 – The Case for U.S. Manufacturing
20:56 – Handycart in Grocery, Hardware, and More
23:48 – User Testimonials and Field Results
26:55 – What’s Next: Product Expansion and Innovation

📖 Read the Full Write-Up
🔗 Smart Tech in Grocery – How OpSense is Helping Grocers Prevent Loss, Boost Compliance & Reduce Food Waste

🎧 Listen Now
Spotify | Apple Podcasts | More Platforms & Show Notes

We’re always looking for grocery, retail, and CPG leaders with a story to share.
📧 Email: marketing@innovaragency.com

Fuel your gut health, hydration, and daily energy — all in one refreshing powdered drink.
🌐 Preorder Now: enjoykobu.com/pages/preorder

The workstation built for retail efficiency — now in grocery, hardware, and beyond.
🌐 Visit: thehandycart.com
📧 Contact CJ: sales@thehandycart.com

🚀 Want to Be Featured on GroceryPulse?🛒 Our Featured Sponsor – Kōbu Kombucha Powder🛠 Interested in HandyCart?