Tuesday, January 12, 2010-Alice.com announces a new eCommerce platform that enables manufacturers to launch their own branded webstores that tie into the Alice.com retail experience (full release here and coverage in the Wall Street Journal here)

Today, January 14, 2010-P&G announces that it is testing a new “eStore” to sell its products directly to consumers online (news here)

CPG manufacturers have been talking about selling direct for years; 2010 is shaping up as the year that we finally see an aggressive move online.

It is a really exciting time to be in the Consumer Packaged Goods industry.  The next five years will see a huge number of changes in CPG.  In our roles at Alice.com, we follow this innovation obsessively.  We track it, discuss it, and debate it.  We started this blog to share our work with you, and (hopefully) allow you to join the conversation.

Some of the questions we hope to discuss with you on this blog include:

• How are CPG brands using today’s technologies to have a closer relationship with their consumer?
• How is CPG advertising evolving to become more accountable and relevant to consumers?
• What will coupons look like in the future?
• How will Gen Y shop for CPG?
• Will Private Label goods continue to gain market share and alter channel relationships?
• How will CPG marketers leverage shopper marketing and other data-rich opportunities?
• As marketing channels continue to fragment, how with CPG brands keep their brands top of mind for consumers?
• What new retail models and technologies will change how we buy CPG?
• Will the ghost of Webvan continue to cast a shadow over the online CPG space?

If you are interested in these questions, we hope you subscribe and join in the discussion.  Thanks for reading!