From Data to Decisions: My Journey Through 84.51° and Kroger
When I look back at my career journey so far, I see a clear thread: data has been at the center of everything I’ve learned and everything I’ve grown passionate about. My time at 84.51° and Kroger didn’t just give me careers— it gave me a perspective on how analytics shapes brand strategy, consumer loyalty, and the future of retail.
Starting with 84.51°: Where Data Meets the Customer
My first full-time role was as a Loyalty Marketing Consultant Associate at 84.51°, Kroger’s data science and analytics subsidiary. From day one, I saw how data isn’t just collected — it’s transformed into insights that drive business decisions at scale.
At 84.51°, I worked with loyalty data and customer insights that revealed the power of retention. Programs like Kroger Plus weren’t just discounts; they were sophisticated data engines, capturing purchase behavior, coupon redemptions, and repeat visits. One of the most important insights I learned was that it costs up to seven times more to acquire a new customer than to retain an existing one.
That statistic reframed how I thought about brand growth. Retention wasn’t just a metric — it was the foundation of long-term profitability. I realized that loyalty is a strategy, not an afterthought.
Working with analytics teams, I also came to understand that data isn’t just about efficiency — it’s about empathy. Each number represented a real customer’s choice: a weekly stock-up, a seasonal splurge, or a quick trip for convenience. When those patterns were connected, they became powerful stories that could predict needs, personalize experiences, and build stronger relationships between brands and their customers.
Returning to Kroger: An Analyst’s Perspective During My MBA
During my MBA, I had the opportunity to return to Kroger as an Enterprise Sourcing Intern. This time, I stepped into an analyst role, where I worked with supplier data and sourcing strategies. My projects included evaluating cost structures, analyzing trends, and helping support negotiations that could improve Kroger’s forward-looking profitability.
This role was where my experience came full circle. At 84.51°, I had learned the science of customer insights. At Kroger, I now had the chance to apply analytical thinking to the supply chain and sourcing side of the business. I wasn’t just observing how analytics informed strategy, I was directly building the models, interpreting the numbers, and presenting insights that shaped decisions.
It was also where I learned the importance of communication. Data on its own wasn’t enough. I needed to tell the story behind the numbers in a way that made sense to cross-functional partners, from category managers to suppliers. That storytelling piece — connecting data to decisions — became just as important as the analysis itself.
Lessons Learned Along the Way
Reflecting on my journey across 84.51° and Kroger, three lessons stand out:
Retention is more powerful than acquisition. Long-term loyalty drives consistent growth, often more efficiently than chasing new customers.
Data without action is just noise. Insights only matter when they create real-world improvements for customers and the business.
Analytics is both technical and human. Numbers provide rigor, but it’s the story behind them that builds trust and drives change.
Closing Reflection
Working at 84.51° taught me to respect the science behind every business decision. Returning to Kroger as an MBA intern gave me the opportunity to apply that science as an analyst, turning data into sourcing strategies that impact profitability and customer value.
These experiences didn’t just teach me analytics — they taught me perspective. Data is only as powerful as the story it tells and the trust it builds. That’s the mindset I carry into every project and every role: to use analytics not only to measure outcomes, but to shape decisions that matter for both brands and customers.