Prime Day takeaways, the end of Rite Aid, and Gen Z’s changing drinking habits
Modern Retail Podcast
· with Alex Tomlin and Zach Poelma
· October 11, 2025
· 55 min
Summary
This episode unpacks critical shifts in consumer behavior and market dynamics for ecommerce operators. Learn how Amazon Prime Day reflects new shopper priorities, the challenges facing traditional retail as seen with Rite Aid's struggles, and how Gen Z's health and budget consciousness is reshaping the alcohol industry, offering vital lessons for product development and marketing strategies.
Key takeaways
Analyze your Prime Day performance to identify shifts in consumer spending and product category preferences, adapting your future sales strategies accordingly.
Evaluate your business's resilience against online competition and changing consumer healthcare landscapes by learning from the struggles of traditional pharmacies like Rite Aid.
Develop products and marketing campaigns that resonate with Gen Z's demand for health-conscious and budget-friendly options, as exemplified by trends in the alcohol industry.
Explore innovative product developments, like lower ABV drinks or 'cleaner' ingredients, to cater to evolving consumer preferences and create new market opportunities.
Assess your supply chain and distribution strategies to ensure they are agile and adaptive to rapid market changes and generational shifts in consumer behavior.
This week on The Modern Retail Podcast, co-hosts Gabriela Barkho and Melissa Daniels unpack how Amazon’s latest Prime Day reflected shifting shopper priorities, and what the end of Rite Aid indicates about the pharmacy industry’s future. Then (20:50), they’re joined by Bacardi’s Alex Tomlin and Southern Glazer’s Zach Poelma to explore how Gen Z’s health- and budget-conscious habits are transforming the alcohol category — from the rise of the spritz to healthier, cleaner cocktail ingredients.
Frequently asked about this episode
What does this episode say about consumer behavior shifts?
Analyze your Prime Day performance to identify shifts in consumer spending and product category preferences, adapting your future sales strategies accordingly.
What does this episode say about generational marketing?
Evaluate your business's resilience against online competition and changing consumer healthcare landscapes by learning from the struggles of traditional pharmacies like Rite Aid.
What does this episode say about product innovation?
Develop products and marketing campaigns that resonate with Gen Z's demand for health-conscious and budget-friendly options, as exemplified by trends in the alcohol industry.
What does this episode say about retail disruption & adaptation?
Explore innovative product developments, like lower ABV drinks or 'cleaner' ingredients, to cater to evolving consumer preferences and create new market opportunities.
What does this episode say about consumer behavior shifts?
Assess your supply chain and distribution strategies to ensure they are agile and adaptive to rapid market changes and generational shifts in consumer behavior.
