The New America: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly
Political perceptions are shaping how Americans define value – and it’s not just about price. Today’s consumers demand empathy, convenience, and strategic engagement across life stages.
Political perceptions are shaping how Americans define value – and it’s not just about price. Today’s consumers demand empathy, convenience, and strategic engagement across life stages.
Beef prices are sizzling at $6.30/lb, and President Donald Trump’s fix – importing Argentine cattle – is sparking bipartisan backlash. Industry leaders warn the move may fuel geopolitical tensions without lowering consumer costs.
A major Amazon Web Services outage on Monday disrupted thousands of sites, including foodservice platforms, underscoring the industry’s digital dependence. Experts warn the cost could reach billions, as DNS errors rippled through operations and productivity worldwide.
Peet’s tops craveability rankings as consumers seek quality, innovation, and value in a $58.5 billion café market. From cardamom lattes to celebrity collabs, chains are brewing bold strategies to win loyalty amid rising prices.
Despite soaring cocoa prices and shifting consumer budgets, Halloween candy sales are anything but scary. Non-chocolate confections and TikTok-fueled innovations are keeping the sweet season alive, even as chocolate feels the squeeze.
The Whole Foods Trend Council has been busy this year understanding the forces driving consumer behavior. They found that minimally processed foods that simplify the grocery experience while packing a punch will reach new heights in 2026.
Heavy soda — an ultra-sweet, syrup-heavy twist on fountain drinks — is gaining viral traction and nostalgic appeal. With minimal operational lift, it offers high-margin potential and Gen Z buzz for savvy beverage retailers.
Elliott Management just invested $4 billion in PepsiCo, betting it can fix what fizzled. The activist investor envisions a turnaround – assuming legacy brands can still thrive in a GLP-1 world.
Tom Holland and Robert Downey Jr. have fused star power with beverage innovation, launching coffee-beer crossovers that tap into Gen Z’s desire for a booze-less buzz. Their authentic friendship fuels a savvy play in functional, premium CPG.
Crab Rangoon is riding a wave of nostalgic virality, evolving from comfort food to cultural icon. Its playful reinventions and mass appeal offer operators a low-barrier entry into high-impact, trend-driven dining.
At Groceryshop 2025, leaders tackled topics such as value-driven shoppers, evolving retail media, and AI’s seismic impact on grocery. From TikTok disruption to digital twins, the future of food retail is already knocking.
PepsiCo has helped launch Food For Tomorrow to champion regenerative agriculture across 10 million acres by 2030. The initiative blends data, storytelling, and science to future-proof farming and the global food supply.
The Latin American consumer is complex and multifaceted, reflecting the many cultures of the region.
Congress brewed up the “No Coffee Tax Act” to slash tariffs and tame surging bean prices. But with climate shocks and record demand, the fix may need more than a legislative shot.
As consumers continue to take their health and wellness goals seriously, GLP-1 drug usage will continue to grow. With as much as 20% of U.S. adults taking or considering the medication, the food and beverage industry must adapt to these consumer need states.
Beef prices have shot past inflation benchmarks, driven by supply shocks, tariffs, and parasite outbreaks. As consumers pivot to poultry, food leaders face a meaty challenge in forecasting demand and managing margins.
TikTok’s reported U.S. transfer deal clears a path for continued growth in food-driven commerce and influencer marketing. With $24 billion in economic impact, the app remains a vital ingredient in Gen Z engagement and restaurant discovery.
Starbucks is diving into the booming “proffee” trend with protein-packed lattes and cold foam, now a permanent menu fixture. As rivals race to meet protein-hungry consumers, functional coffee is brewing billion-dollar growth.
Hispanic consumers are reshaping the food industry with health-driven choices, flavor curiosity, and rising purchasing power. Brands ignoring this shift risk falling behind as authenticity and wellness become the new growth frontier.
Fall flavor innovation is heating up as brands blend nostalgia with novelty – think cranberry punch, chai spice, and pumpkin chipotle. With 66% of consumers shifting food habits, the time appears right to capture seasonal cravings.
Energy drinks are thriving as price-conscious consumers pivot from costly coffee to functional, flavorful alternatives. With wellness claims and nostalgic flavors, the category is stealing share from traditional caffeine formats.
Plant-based dairy is driving the next generation of plant-based growth through innovations in milk, yogurt, and cheese, eclipsing plant-based meat’s claim on the market. Despite yogurt and cheese’s modest menu penetration, they represent the fastest growers in the category.
Despite its ghoulish aesthetics, Liquid Death’s community is surprisingly wide: “people drink things and they like to laugh,” adroitly summarized Liquid Death creative VP Andy Pearson in an interview with The Food Institute. This has …
Taco Bell is revamping last year’s Decades Menu with a Y2K spin, featuring iconic menu items from 2001-2010. The overt play for nostalgia has been effective for the QSR chain in the past, and this year it’s doing more to support the initiative.
Spinach and lettuce prices spiked dramatically in July, with producer prices rising over 130% month over month due to tariffs, labor shortages, and climate-related stress. As fresh vegetable inflation accelerates, analysts warn of looming price hikes for consumers and intensified strain on the produce supply chain.
Pumpkin spice may still reign, but pecan is surging as fall’s breakout flavor, with a 28% spike in DoorDash orders. From Snickers to Starbucks, operators are betting big on this Southern staple’s appeal.
Economic headwinds are shaping consumer shopping behaviors, with looming tariffs affecting consumers’ perceptions of imported foods…
Amazon’s $10B grocery blitz just got fresher, as Prime members in 1,000+ cities now get free Same-Day Delivery on perishables. With Whole Foods integration and bold logistics, Amazon’s rivals have cause for concern.
Tariffs are rattling global supply chains and inflating costs across the food industry, with India boycotts and U.S. shoppers trading down. As inflation bites, legacy brands brace for deeper margin pressure.