Target is slashing prices on 3,000 grocery and essentials SKUs ahead of a shaky holiday season, reigniting retail’s value wars. As inflation-weary consumers hunt for deals, global grocers are racing to stay in their baskets.
Once a natural foods juggernaut, Hain Celestial is now a cautionary tale of over-acquisition and underperformance. After a decade of turnarounds, the cupboard of fixes appears bare, and time is running out.
A deadly Listeria outbreak tied to ready-to-eat pasta has triggered massive recalls and renewed scrutiny of sanitation lapses. Experts warn that cold-loving pathogens and hyper-efficient supply chains are a recipe for cross-brand disaster.
Fiber is shedding its stodgy image and emerging as a gut-health powerhouse, flavor-forward snack hero, and even a microplastic-fighting ally. From baby formula to seaweed chips, it’s the next big thing in functional food.
Coffee raves are transforming cafés into wellness-driven, daytime social hubs and boosting margins in the process. As Gen Z redefines nightlife, savvy operators are brewing community, culture, and commerce, all in one.
Plant-based brands, unique textures, and bold global flavors are reshaping the ice cream category. As billion-dollar deals churn, brands are focused on innovation in a competitive, sensory-driven market.
Retail media is evolving fast, and streaming platforms are the new battleground. With managed services and precision targeting, even small food brands can now play big in the personalized, data-driven media landscape of 2025.
Two AI experts just made their boldest move yet: launching Gambit, a kitchen assistant that automates cooking with precision. It’s a game-changer for food technology innovation. Sponsored by Gambit Robotics.
McDonald’s is betting on nostalgia to reignite value leadership, reviving Snack Wraps and Extra Value Meals. But the real play is digital: boosting app usage to drive traffic and reshape consumer perception.
Now that the plant-based market has matured, it must contend with many of the same problems as the meat industry, including eking out margins as consumers tighten their wallets. However, dairy alternatives continue to be a bright spot for the sector.
Grubhub and Instacart’s unlikely alliance fills strategic gaps for both, fueling Wonder’s super app ambitions. It’s a calculated surrender on grocery that unlocks possibilities for a full-spectrum mealtime dominance.
KFC’s U.S. sales are in free fall, even as chicken sizzles across the industry. Yum! Brands’ bold pivot to “Saucy” signals a reinvention, but is it too late for KFC’s comeback?
Consumers are craving connection and comfort as Thanksgiving approaches, but inflation is reshaping how they celebrate. Value-driven choices are influencing holiday traditions, resulting in predictions for pared-down menus.
As diners tighten their belts, value-driven promotions and loyalty perks are proving key to filling restaurant seats. With rising costs and waning confidence, restaurants must deliver far more than just a meal.
As automation and cost-cutting drive sweeping F&B layoffs, experts urge job seekers to sharpen their networking, recruiter outreach, and LinkedIn tactics. Even execs must rethink how they navigate today’s volatile hiring landscape.
GLP-1 drugs are shrinking appetites and supercharging demand for nutrient-dense, snackable formats. Precision eating is rewriting menus and appears to be reshaping the future of food, drink, and wellness.
Kelley Blue Book’s “Fork in the Road” guide spotlights the top car-friendly fast-food picks for mess-free mobile dining. Boneless bites are on the rise, highlighting shifting consumer preferences in QSR innovation.
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.
GoSpotCheck by FORM brings real-time visibility and control to produce and meat departments – helping grocers reduce shrink, optimize labor, and improve margins through data-driven execution.
Beyond Meat’s financial struggles haven’t stopped retail traders from sending its stock soaring more than 600% in a week. As the plant-based pioneer swaps debt for equity, it’s become the latest unlikely star in the bizarre saga of meme stocks.
Michelob Ultra didn’t just sell beer, it sold a lifestyle, and now it’s America’s best-selling beer, by volume. Its secret, according to marketing experts? Relentless consistency, wellness-driven branding, and staying in its lane.
Emerging brands are ditching ad agencies and building in-house content studios to control speed, cost, and creativity. Owned media is no longer optional – it’s the new engine of consumer marketing and brand memorability.
A coffee chain in Hawaii is turning stale brew into a brand asset with its new “Rescube” campaign – coffee ice cubes that fight dilution and waste. It’s a strategic play on quality, sustainability, and storytelling.
Mintel’s 2026 forecast urges brands to embrace empowered aging, algorithm-free authenticity, and affection-driven design. Food leaders can tap into these shifts to craft experiences that nourish identity, connection, and purpose.
In the latter stages of 2025, restaurant growth hinges on pairing value with innovation. From Taylor Swift tie-ins to smart nostalgia, brands that deliver memorable experiences at fair prices are winning foot traffic across formats.
Pizza’s delivery dominance is melting fast, as third-party platforms slice into its turf. With legacy chains stagnating and investor appetite waning, the industry must cook up a fresh edge.
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.
AI is transforming food industry operations, marketing, and media fast and affordably. Brands that reinvest AI-driven savings into quality, transparency, and innovation will lead the next wave of consumer trust and growth.
Despite investor jitters and industry shakeouts, Impossible Foods founder Patrick Brown recently told FI he remains bullish on alt-meat’s future. With tech advancements and health-driven messaging, plant-based protein may yet win over skeptical consumers.
Gen Xers may represent the “forgotten generation,” but their loyalty, functionality-first mindset, and $39 trillion inheritance make them a retail force. Ignore their evolving wellness habits and omnichannel expectations at your brand’s peril.
Green hydrogen, carbon removal, and circular design are reshaping sustainability – but not without hurdles. Experts urge food industry leaders to embrace regenerative models and rethink profitability through the lens of strong sustainability.
At the 2025 NACS Show, protein-packed innovation and caffeine reinvention stole the spotlight, catering to health-conscious and novelty-seeking consumers alike. More than anything, convenience retail is getting a functional facelift.
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.
