Peter Gialantzis is the Chief Merchandising Officer at Pod Foods, a logistics-enabled, data-powered B2B marketplace for wholesale food distribution. With experience at powerhouse retailers like Whole Foods and Lucky’s Markets and leadership roles at KeHE, he brings a wealth of industry knowledge to Pod Foods. Peter is passionate about using real-time data and analytics to empower brands and retailers, striving for a grocery ecosystem prioritizing accessibility to quality foods. A believer in disruptive innovation, he aims to shift market share from large to smaller, innovative CPG brands, fostering growth and consumer choice in the retail landscape.

In an increasingly competitive marketplace, the traditional grocery distribution model poses significant challenges for small, emerging food brands striving to gain visibility alongside industry giants. Could data and transparency be the key to breaking the barriers that keep innovative products from reaching consumers?

Peter Gialantzis, a passionate foodie and lifelong student of the food industry, shares tips for reshaping retail distribution for emerging food and beverage brands. As a committed disruptor, he elaborates on their revolutionary approach towards grocery distribution by leveraging technology, transparency, and data analytics. He shares insights into the future of social media and technology in enhancing retail success. The discussion highlights the challenges brands and retailers face and how they offer a solution by functioning as a secondary source of supply with national reach, providing brands with a significant competitive edge.

On this episode of the Firebelly Social Show, Duncan Alney talks with Peter Gialantzis, Chief Merchandising Officer at Pod Foods, about the transformative world of grocery distribution. Peter discusses Pod Foods' role in curating and expanding shelf space for niche products in retail, the unique match-making strategy it implements between retailers and brands, and the significance of connecting direct-to-consumer data with brick-and-mortar strategies.