Target plans to expand next-day parcel delivery to 35 of the 60 largest US metropolitan areas by the end of October, with plans to add 20 more cities next year. Target is also testing a new shipping strategy in the Chicago market to improve speed and reduce costs.

Tyson Foods and other companies that make novelty chicken nuggets have to coordinate multiple functions to create a satisfying product, including precision shaping, refining the automated breading process and inviting customer feedback. Nuggets in child-friendly shapes and options linked to favorite sports teams have been strong performers for chicken companies this year.

Albertsons is working to enhance the grocery shopping experience through personal product recommendations and natural conversations via a partnership with Google Cloud to create the Conversational Commerce agent in its Ask AI tool. The tool, available in all Albertsons banner store apps, detects shopper intent and preferences in real time; early results have shown increased basket sizes and customer engagement.

Meat sticks have become a popular snack as the product has evolved from being seen as unhealthy to a convenient, protein-rich option. Companies are differentiating themselves through product variety and catering to dietary preferences and restrictions, further driving market growth.

Registration is now open for our upcoming webinar on building a sustainable future. Hosted in partnership with Tetra Pak and taking place on October 7 at 1:30 p.m. From global strategy to local action, Tetra Pak shares how transforming recycling infrastructure and reducing environmental footprints across the value chain drives measurable progress for people, the planet and the future of food. Register here.

Experience packaging and processing solutions firsthand and explore all possibilities for your brand. Latest innovations from 2,500 exhibitors will help get you ahead of trends, move projects forward and give you a clearer sense of next steps to solve challenges holding you back. Join SmartLabel by Consumer Brands Association's Rishi Banerjee Sept. 29-Oct. 1 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nev., and join your peers from across the packaging and processing world for an experience that will change your perspective and drive your success in unexpected ways. Consumer Brands Members attend for FREE. Click here to register.

Keurig Dr Pepper Chief Marketing Officer Drew Panayiotou is leading a marketing overhaul that consolidates agencies, emphasizes data-driven strategies and adopts Silicon Valley-inspired practices such as agile teams. The "full-stack marketing" approach aims to balance short-term performance with long-term brand building, exemplified by a partnership with Disney Advertising to enhance digital ad targeting and integrate Dr Pepper's "Fansville" into college football broadcasts.