AI-powered shelf intelligence is becoming grocers’ secret weapon for Super Bowl Sunday and Valentine’s Day demand surges. Real time, SKU level insights help retailers prevent out of stocks, deploy labor strategically, and keep high stakes shopping windows fully supplied.
Bankruptcies are swelling across the food sector as rising labor, ingredient costs and higher interest rates squeeze already thin margins. It appears some F&B companies may face a reckoning amid a volatile market in 2026.
Spicy foods are surging as global flavors, TikTok trends, and “swicy” mashups reshape consumer expectations. With demand rising for heat that adds character, brands are racing to innovate with new menu items.
Tractor Beverages built a sizable foodservice business through syrup concentrates and Chipotle bubblers, but inconsistent branding left it with surprisingly low consumer awareness. Its jump into retail now looks less like a natural omni channel evolution and more like a near from scratch brand launch.
