A Scotch bonnet pepper shortage has tightened CPG supply chains, raising costs for Caribbean hot sauce makers. The shortage has complicated procurement for brands dependent on authentic Jamaican peppers.
BJ’s Wholesale Club strong post IPO run is meeting headwinds, as inflation, fuel volatility, tariffs, and tougher competition from Costco, Sam’s, and Walmart pressure traffic, same store sales, and investor confidence across the retail landscape.
Premium private label’s rise rolls on, as Walmart’s Bettergoods fuels premium tier growth and pressures stagnant brands. Emerging players with strong innovation and cultural pull can still win – even as inflation and shifting shopper behavior accelerate store brand adoption.
Fast-growing QSR and beverage brands are winning on personalization, customization, and protein-driven demand, with 7 Brew, dirty soda innovators, and chicken chains like Bojangles capturing surging consumer interest across CPG, foodservice, and retail in 2026.
Tariff shifts are adding new pressure points for food industry leaders as equipment duty cuts collide with volatile packaging and import costs, tightening forecasting, inflation exposure, and risk across supply chains.
World Cup crowds will drive a surge in beer and tourism spending, with host city stadium traffic in areas like New York and Kansas City spilling into nearby businesses. Foodservice experts expect 14.4 billion beers to be consumed, fueling a lucrative summer.
Support is growing for adults-only dining and dog-friendly restaurant spaces, especially among young adults. Lightspeed’s 2026 data show such Gen Z expectations are influencing restaurant designs and policy.
Cattle futures jumped as USDA confirmed a New World screwworm case in Texas, raising concerns for livestock, CPG, retail, and foodservice supply chains. Officials launched quarantines and sterile fly controls to prevent broader industry disruption.
Motor City Pizza Co.’s recall shows how an upstream ingredient issue can ripple across CPG, retail, and foodservice supply chains. A milk powder contamination risk tied to California Dairies triggered the voluntary action.
Not every seaweed innovation is suited for mass adoption. Explore the top three markets where seaweed is showing the most promise in terms of cost, benefits, and scalability – and why experts believe that this hype cycle could be the one that sends it into the stratosphere.
Starbucks’ rebound under new CEO Brian Niccol shows stronger traffic and improved execution. However, long term risks persist as competition intensifies, margins lag inflation, and younger consumers shift beverage purchases across QSR and foodservice.
Better-for-you frozen desserts are taking off as brands develop formulations with less sugar and artificial dyes and more functional perks like protein – without throwing off taste or texture. Here are the five healthiest options compiled by FI’s resident ice cream expert in collaboration with multiple registered dietitians and one food scientist.
Gen Z’s “modular eating” trend is gaining momentum, as young consumers build meals from snackable, mix and match components. Driven by hybrid work, solo dining, and social media, this behavior blurs categories and rewards brands built for convenience, texture, and discoverability.
WK Kellogg Co is pushing growth in the $10 billion cereal market with its new “SPOONS” on-pack nutrition system, tapping CPG demand for simpler ingredients, less sugar, more fiber, and more protein.
Walmart’s rare stock slide signals rising retail sector anxiety as fuel driven inflation, volatile tariffs, and shifting CPG, grocery, and foodservice dynamics pressure margins – even for the industry’s most consistent omnichannel giant – despite strong QSR share gains, ads, and AI momentum.
Private-label coffee is becoming a profit engine as retailers use premiumization, transparency, and flexible formats to meet rising consumer expectations. Retailers that elevate quality, storytelling, and assortment strategy are positioned to capture stronger loyalty and margin growth.
Beef prices are hitting records, yet industry insiders say loyal steak buyers are unlikely to walk away. Consumers may shift to cheaper cuts or add more eggs, chicken, and seafood, but true beef demand remains firmly intact.
Pizza Hut is using nostalgic décor to revive traffic and pique curiosity, but experts say that any long-term gains will hinge on consistent food, service, and cultural relevance. The chain must be able to turn feel-good memories into repeat visits to outperform its rivals in a fiercely competitive pizza market.
Instability at the Strait of Hormuz threatens a global agrifood shock that could quietly reshape fertilizer access, freight costs, and food production long before consumers notice. Food manufacturers, retailers, and restaurants face rising systemic risk as efficiency driven supply chains meet mounting geopolitical volatility.
Men may not call it beauty, but they are increasingly looking for products promising better skin, hydration, and longevity. Two appearance-focused trends are presenting opportunities for brands to launch functional drinks reframed around performance and optimization over mere aesthetics.
Hourly restaurant workers are facing severe financial strain as new survey data shows widespread stress, skipped meals and reliance on costly stopgap measures. Experts warn operators that burnout, low pay, and unstable schedules demand meaningful workforce reforms.
“Pill fatigue” is rising as consumers juggle oversized supplement stacks that feel costly, confusing, and unsustainable. Experts say the near-term will favor simpler, food forward formats and consolidated nutrition that replaces sprawling pill regimens.
Packaging costs are climbing as the Iran conflict disrupts oil, aluminum, and plastics, tightening supply chains and pressuring CPG margins. Food manufacturers face tough choices as safety rules limit material changes and volatility persists.
Fusion flavors, beverage experimentation, and a renewed appetite for real meat dominated the 2026 NRA Show. The show floor made clear that consumers want bold flavor play, flexible formats, and familiar indulgence elevated with fresh ideas.
Snacking is booming even as Americans chase healthier eating, with taste still driving most choices as better-for-you options gain ground. SPINS data shows that emerging flavors, functional ingredients, and premium nutrition are reshaping what households buy and why.
Wellness and global texture play were on display at the NRA Show 2026. Many operators featured multi-sensory comfort foods. Plus, exhibitors showed how restaurants can meet demand for healthier choices while still delivering visual flair and craveable indulgence.
A select few restaurants are holding their ground in a strained consumer economy, as diners cut weekday visits but still spend on celebrations and experience-driven meals. Restaurants like Fogo de Chão are leaning into occasion-based dining to keep traffic steady, even as sentiment weakens.
Retailers are missing a major at home dining opportunity as Circana data shows dinner occasions with guests drive far higher spending than current strategies capture. New occasion-based insights reveal where retailers and CPGs can unlock meaningful growth by aligning merchandising, promotions and product development with how people actually eat at home.
Though voice AI systems improve drive-thru speed and accuracy, many diners still find the experience unsettling. A concept called the ‘uncanny valley’ could offer insight into why diners say they’d rather have a human take their order – even if AI is more likely to get it right.
BMO’s 2026 Global Farm to Market conference spotlighted rising fertilizer costs, protein-rich food demand, GLP-1 eating trends, and gene-edited crop innovation as food and agriculture companies navigate inflation, energy volatility, and shifting consumer expectations.
Consumers are pushing back as food prices climb and product quality slips, forcing brands to prove their value instead of relying on loyalty. Experts warn that transparency, experience and truly differentiated products matter more than ever in defending price.
GLP-1 drugs are reshaping consumer behavior as shoppers eat less, cook less, and seek convenient, small-portion meals marketed as GLP-1 friendly. Food companies are racing to protect revenue by pushing nutrient-dense, protein-forward products tailored to these shifting habits.
Delta is dropping free snacks and drinks on short flights, sparking backlash from loyal customers who see the move as another cost-cutting measure. Critics warn the shift risks eroding customer trust at a moment when airlines can’t afford missteps.
At the 21st annual BMO Global Farm to Market conference, industry leaders discussed the impact of market volatility on agribusiness. Private label, prepared food convenience, and better-for-you beverages emerged as clear growth levers.
Irresistible Foods Group President John Linehan explains why leadership, innovation, and organizational capabilities will define competitive advantage in the future of food and beverage.
