From center store basics to fresh perimeter, inflation is high and holding across retail grocery. The price per unit across all foods and beverages in the IRI-measured multi-outlet stores increased to 10.7% in the four …
Consumers’ perpetual sweet tooth for frozen treats continues to drive category sales, despite equally persistent supply chain challenges. In particular, the frozen novelty segment has been a powerhouse over the past few years, with April …
In 1974, the United Nations hailed the blue-green microalgae spirulina as possibly the “best food for the future.” Nearly half a century later, food and beverage manufacturers appear to be catching on. The spirulina market …
Colleges and universities are on the frontline of plant-based foodservice innovation as they cater to the Gen Z students who will help shape the future of menus. For additional insights, The Food Institute spoke with …
The global plant-based alternatives market could swell to $166 billion in the next decade, according to an updated forecast by Bloomberg Intelligence. Bloomberg’s May 2022 projections incorporated 2021 results into the Plant-Based Foods Poised for …
A recent webinar from market research firm IRI unpacked various snacking opportunities around the globe that are enticing shoppers amid current economic challenges and new patterns of consumption. Here are a few key takeaways: The …
Judging by online searches, veganism is not as hot as it used to be. The global popularity of vegan-related search terms appears to be slowing down, according to a recent analysis of Google AdWords data …
Berries were a powerhouse throughout the pandemic and the category continues to thrive as convenience and nutritional appeal keep consumers coming back for more. According to an April report by IRI, fresh berries are the …
As record high prices put a damper on bacon sales, retailers and producers are leveraging innovation to help drive consumer engagement. Per IRI data, dollar sales for bacon totaled $6.4 billion in the week ending …
During the Great Recession, consumers spent less, traded down, and cut back on many CPG purchases. A recent report from the IRI Recession-Proof Your Business series explored these behaviors to glean strategies for success in …
As a broader variety of plant-based protein alternatives enter the market, health-conscious flexitarians are turning a more critical eye towards ingredients and production methods. In 2021, consumer interest in clean label grew by 86% within …
In the seasonal candy playing field, Easter has been knocking it out of the park. Per IRI data, combined sales for chocolate and non-chocolate seasonal candy totaled $1.3 billion in the 7-week period ending April …
As consumers continue to blur the line between snacks and meals, the plant-based category is playing an active role in the space between. Seventy-eight percent of global consumers say their definition of snacks has evolved …
As rampant inflation tightens its grip across the food industry, many consumers are cutting back on grocery staples and trading down to cheaper items. All the while, higher-ticket prepared food sales are soaring. Comparative unit …
Retailers are digging up new ways to boost fresh mushrooms sales in the produce department and beyond, as consumer interest in fungi functionality continues to thrive. The global mushroom market size is expected to reach …
In a recent IRI webinar on consumer packaged goods (CPG) company performance in 2021, senior leaders from three of the category’s top performing companies — Michael Del Pozzo from PepsiCo, Gary Osifchin from Reckitt, and …
The pandemic era strengthened food and beverage trends like health, wellness and nostalgic indulgence. While contradictory at first glance, these behaviors are finding alignment as consumers redefine what constitutes “healthy” behavior. Health and wellness are …
On the heels of a stagnant sales year for store brands, Amazon and Kroger are bulking up their private label portfolios with plant-based products. Is category innovation on the horizon? The Food Institute Podcast · …
Alternative meat sales continue to plateau at retail following strong performance in recent years. Has plant-based meat reached its peak, or is this just a lengthy chapter in the emerging category’s evolutionary process? According to …
More major CPG companies are playing in plant-based, flagging the alt-protein category as a potential catalyst for growth. But industrywide, the depth of that value is not easily measured in broad strokes. “When you factor …
Shoppers have historically gravitated to store brands when economic times get tough. But despite record-high prices, private label food and beverage sales continue to dip below their national counterparts at retail. Overall, store brand dollar …
Cheese is pegged as the next growth category for plant-based dairy at retail, as quality innovations flourish and big players start to make inroads. Globally, the vegan cheese market is expected to expand at a …
Replicating bacon has been no small task for alternative protein producers, but new innovations in flavor and texture are bringing plant-based options ever closer to home. “Plant-based bacon is going to have its moment in …
The 10th annual Growth Leaders study from IRI and Boston Consulting Group (BCG) explores the top performing consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies of 2021 and strategies that enabled their growth. The total U.S. CPG industry …
Breakfast occasions were big business for retailers in 2021, with at home consumption remaining above pre-pandemic levels. However, many traditional breakfast categories saw mixed sales results. In a new report, Winning Breakfast, Generation by Generation, …
Consumers’ perception of chocolate as a functional indulgence has made it a growing target for plant-based exploration. The global vegan chocolate confectionery market is expected to reach $1.41 billion by 2028, registering a compound annual …
Pandemic challenges in 2021 impacted the plant-based industry in divergent ways, as more consumers experimented at home and operators across restaurants and retail prioritized inventory over innovation. “At retail, we are seeing the biggest [plant-based] …
Demand for coffee outside the home increased substantially in 2021, while traction at the grocery store remained strong – further solidifying the category’s overall appeal and adaptability to shifting consumer behaviors. According to a recent …
The bakery department bounced back in 2021, with the fresh perimeter making a full recovery and overtaking aisle bakery as the sales growth leader. Furthermore, perimeters that faired best were those that didn’t just try …
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is awarding $170 million to clinics and educational centers over a five-year period to conduct research for one of the largest, most diverse precision nutrition efforts in the country. …
The deli department was a grocery hotspot in 2021 and retailers are anticipating continued popularity in the year ahead. According to IRI data, deli department sales totaled $40.8 billion in the 52-week period ending December …
Ghost-kitchen startup Reef Technology is temporarily closing about one-third of its food trailers, reported Business Insider. (Jan 13) This activity comes on the heels of numerous operational challenges the delivery-only kitchen business has faced in recent …
More quick service restaurants (QSRs) are rolling out subscription services in the new year to leverage the pandemic pivot towards mobile ordering and remain top of mind with consumers. Throughout the month of January, Sweetgreen …
Demand for allergy free foods continues to rise as consumers encounter a broader variety of motivations to steer clear of certain ingredients.
Convenience stores have been reaping the benefits of pandemic-induced shifts in consumer behavior and many chains across the U.S. are targeting expansion, according to a Retail Tenant Expansion Report by real estate firm Stan Johnson …
