Laura Kennedy

Principal Analyst

AUG 2022 - JAN 2026 · 3.5 years

Define CB Insights’ retail technology narrative and expanding knowledge base into payments infrastructure, establishing leadership on emerging commerce trends. Translate proprietary data into high-impact research and executive briefings while partnering with go-to-market teams to drive renewals, upsells, and new client acquisition. Built proprietary research frameworks enabling clients to track competitors, evaluate vendors, and source strategic partners. Lead flagship startup rankings to elevate brand visibility and generate sales-qualified pipeline. Lead analyst training programs for CBI’s analyst team.

Principal Analyst, Consumer & Retail

JAN 2022 - JAN 2026 · 4.1 years

Led CB Insights' Consumer & Retail research practice, setting the research agenda and translating shifts in consumer behavior, technology, competitive dynamics, and emerging business models into strategic implications for Fortune 500 companies.

Senior Lead Analyst

JUL 2020 - AUG 2022 · 2.2 years

Established CB Insights’ retail technology coverage and positioned the firm as a trusted authority on how digital innovation was reshaping shopping.

Lead Analyst

OCT 2019 - JUL 2020 · 10 months

Senior Lead Analyst / Lead Analyst, Consumer & Retail

JAN 2019 - JAN 2022 · 3.1 years

Established CB Insights' retail technology and consumer innovation coverage, developing research that helped enterprise clients understand changing consumer behavior, anticipate market shifts, and identify new growth opportunities.

Vice President, Retail, Sales and Shopper Practice

FEB 2018 - SEP 2019 · 1.7 years

Served as U.S. retail-landscape and shopper-trends authority, advising global CPG clients on growth strategy, channel expansion, and retailer partnerships. Owned the retail research agenda and delivered forecasts, financial analyses, and advisory to drive commercial decisions and revenue. Directed content creation, executive education, and client engagement for Kantar’s retailer strategy forums and led custom advisory engagements for major U.S. CPG account teams. Managed and developed two senior analysts.

Director, Retail Insights: Walmart US, Home improvement

OCT 2015 - FEB 2018 · 2.4 years

Led Kantar Retail's research on Walmart in the U.S. as well as on the home improvement retail marketplace. Worked closely with CPG and general merchandise manufacturers to understand key retailer customers' priorities and align strategies. Engaged with clients via in-person events and classes, webinars, and written reports. Managed two analysts' work on home improvement, consumer electronics, and Target research.

Principal Analyst, Home improvement, Walmart US

AUG 2013 - OCT 2015 · 2.3 years

Maintained concentration on home improvement retailers. Began working closely with a team of analysts on Walmart's U.S. business, deepening understanding of its strategies and beginning to deliver speeches, reports, and other research on the retailer. Began managing another analyst to drive thought leadership on home improvement retail, as well as develop the analyst's skills in speaking, writing, and analysis.

Senior Analyst, Home Improvement, Consumer Electronics

MAY 2012 - AUG 2013 · 1.3 years

Analyst, Home Improvement, Consumer Electronics

OCT 2011 - MAY 2012 · 8 months

Junior Analyst, Home Improvement

APR 2011 - OCT 2011 · 7 months

Vice President, Retail Insights, Consulting Division

JAN 2018 - JAN 2019 · 1.1 years

Served as the U.S. retail lead for Fortune 500 consumer brands, designing syndicated and custom research programs that translated consumer behavior, shopping journeys, and retail channel dynamics into product innovation, portfolio planning, and growth strategy.

Director

JAN 2015 - JAN 2018 · 3.1 years

Led custom research engagements for CPG clients, translating consumer and shopper behavior into implications for brand, product, and growth strategy.

Principal Analyst

JAN 2013 - JAN 2015 · 2.1 years

Senior Analyst / Analyst / Junior Analyst

JAN 2011 - JAN 2013 · 2.1 years

Associate Editor

MAY 2010 - MAY 2011 · 1.1 years

Covered global consumer goods and marketing industries and education with an eye toward forecasting the outlook for related businesses.

Associate Editor, retail, advertising and marketing, education

JAN 2010 - JAN 2011 · 1.1 years

Weekly national business forecasting publication.

Reporter, business law; retail, advertising and marketing

JAN 2006 - JAN 2010 · 4.1 years

Weekly national business forecasting publication.

Researcher/reporter

JUN 2006 - JUL 2010 · 4.2 years

Intern

JUN 2005 - JUN 2006 · 1.1 years

Wrote articles and gathered and organized data on a broad range of topics for the Letter. Copy-edited and fact-checked articles as well as the Letter.

Senior Staff Writer

JAN 2004 - MAY 2006 · 2.4 years

Wrote weekly arts stories and bi-weekly TV commentary.

Staff Writer

OCT 2002 - JAN 2004 · 1.3 years

Intern for Senior VP of Investments

JUN 2004 - AUG 2004 · 3 months

Research assistant

JUN 2004 - AUG 2004 · 3 months