Asian Food & Grocery Proliferates

According to recent data from Technomic, Asian casual-dining chains experienced sales growth of more than 24% in 2023 – nearly six times the average for casual dining as a whole. 

AI-Driven CPG Platform Keychain Adds Former Whole Foods Exec to Key Role

CPG manufacturing platform Keychain has appointed Mitchell Madoff to Head of Retail Partnerships. The Foxtrot transplant and former Head of Whole Foods Private Label brings with him an extensive background in CPG and private label spanning over two decades.

Going Electric: Walmart Commits to Digital Signage

“The digital element presents an expanded shopper/marketer revenue stream for the company,” Zakowicz said.

Hummus: The Original Plant-Based Dip

According to Brightfield research group, the top need states searched online with hummus over the past three years are functional health, digestive health, and sustainability, while the top nutrition states are low sugar, low carb, and high protein – all benefits from the humble chickpea.

Luxury Fruit is Now a Status Symbol

From $8 strawberries to $400 pineapples, a niche group of U.S. shoppers are paying top dollar for premium fruits.

Survey Shows In-Store Shopping Still Very Much Matters

While e-commerce continues to gain ground, most consumers still appreciate the in-store shopping experience, according to a new survey.

Survey Shows Retail Workers Prefer Practical Tools over AI

Today’s retail workers are most eager to be equipped with tools that help them tackle inefficient tasks, particularly when interacting with customers.

Top 5 Casual-dining Restaurant Chains by Sales

Olive Garden’s sales have bloomed even as the economy has wilted, topping the list of U.S. casual-dining chains in terms of systemwide sales.

Gone ‘til September: Huy Fong’s Sriracha is Orange and in Short Supply

Huy Fong doesn’t just lead the category in the United States – it by and large created the category over 40 years ago when it debuted its sriracha in 1980, fostering a dedicated fandom that has only grown via endless professional collaboration and licensing coupled with decidedly non-professional experimentation from hotheads coast to coast, kitchen to kitchen.

Dollar Stores Have Reached An Inflection Point

The performance of dollar store stocks suggested investors believed Walmart’s best days were behind it. They were wrong.

Frozen Heats Up the Market at Frozen IQ 2024

The agenda at Frozen IQ was very simple – to empower and grow the frozen food industry through the sharing of insights and opportunities.

Feeling the Squeeze: Orange Juice Prices Continue to Climb

Orange juice futures are up more than 400% since 2020, and the rising prices have consumers wondering if the juice is truly worth the squeeze.

Gut Feelings: Experts Largely Bullish on Prebiotic Sodas

Many industry experts believe prebiotic sodas represent a gut-health trend with real staying power as major soda brands appear poised to respond.

The Food Dye Dilemma: Manufacturers Navigate New Regulations

Are the days of artificial red coloring numbered? Perhaps, judging by recent regulations and subsequent moves by major food manufacturers.

Private Label Drives Summer Growth

For many major retailers, the latest quarterly results tell a familiar tale: consumers are fed up with high prices, spending less, and commodifying their loyalty by taking the best deal right now, regardless of whose logo adorns their grocery bag or shopping cart. 

Investors See Cava as the “Next Chipotle”

Cava has intrigued investors, as CEO Brett Schulman has argued that Mediterranean food is the “next large-scale cultural cuisine category.”

A Fork in the Road to Sustainability: Nestlé’s New Plant-Based Fork

The innovation is a key part of its commitment to eliminate or reduce plastics in packaging while scaling reusable and refillable systems.

BellRing, Simply Good Brands Illustrate Boundless Opportunities Within ‘Active Nutrition’ Category

Active nutrition brands BellRing and Simply Good Foods are thriving after acquisitions, providing a roadmap to success for other brands, too.

Certified Organic Products Break U.S. Sales Record in 2023

U.S. dollar sales for organic products approached $70 billion in 2023, marking a 3.4% increase YoY and setting a record for the sector.

Breaking the Ice: The Chill, Crunch, and Pleasure of Freeze-Dried Candy

When scanning a candy store in 2024, customers will notice a developing trend: freeze-dried products, apparently, are the coolest. Candies like Skittles and Jolly Ranchers can now be found in freeze-dried variations.

Drinks Catering to Gen Z Steal the Show in Chicago

The event’s exhibitors focused on foods, drinks, and equipment designed to help foodservice operators create unique taste experiences. Beyond offering crave-worthy fusion dishes and fun iced beverages, exhibitors offered a wide array of vending machines on the show floor.

Falling Stars: Inflation Cuts Into Retailers’ Ratings

The most recent rising trend in retail is lowering one’s expectations of retail. This year, clothing companies tended to fall the worst, followed closely by QSRs, big box stores, and grocers, in that order.

Three Key Trends from NRA 2024

The food-away-from home industry gathered in Chicago between May 18 and May 21 for the 2024 National Restaurant Association Show (NRA 2024).

Bold BBQ Sauce Flavors Winning Over Consumers

Barbecue sauce is ubiquitous in retail and many brands want in on the party. The battle for the barbecue-sauce dollar has inspired brands to get creative, often taking spiciness to the next level.

Consumers Have Forced the Value Wars

Food prices are up; consumer confidence is down. Many QSRs and retail outlets reported losses in the last quarter. The Value Wars are here.

Anti-Diet Movement: Marketing Ploy or Healthier Relationship with Food?

The so-called “anti-diet” movement aims to move people away from an obsession with weight loss and toward a healthier relationship with food.

Cooking Up a Storm: Gen Alpha Kids Have Become Tiny Tastemakers

Don’t look now, but Gen Alpha’s influence in the food industry is rising due to its increasing interest in cooking.

Walmart Earnings Seem Optimistic for The Food Industry. Its Strategy Might Not Be

Retail giant Walmart is hardly moving like a lumbering incumbent, but rather at a pace more like that of a startup. That seems a terrifying prospect for the rest of the industry, said FI’s resident stock analyst.

Key Takeaways from The NGA Show 2024: Improving Shopper Experience

Shopper experience in the physical store is often what truly differentiates the independent grocer from brick-and-mortar chain stores and online e-commerce competitors like Amazon.  The right mix of products, priced right, offered in the right place, and services delivered by welcoming staff in a pleasant environment are essential to building sales and customer loyalty.

In Today’s Market, What Defines Value?

Many consumers feel they can’t win on cost alone – they also need an experience, or at least a decent reason to visit a brick-and-mortar store.

To Many Americans, Eating Fast Food is Now a Luxury

According to a new survey from Lending Tree, a staggering 80% of consumers now consider fast food a luxury because it’s so expensive.

Behold, ‘Kitchen Table Travelers’: Ajvar Is Spreading

Ajvar is a Yugoslavian relish that became popular after World War II. Made primarily from sweet bell peppers and eggplants, ajvar can be sweet (traditional), piquant (common), or scorching hot. Ajvar can be spread on bread or enjoyed as a side dish due to its thicker and more viscous texture.

Opinion: Automation Serving up Invaluable Efficiency for Restaurants

Restaurant automation reduces service time, increases consistency, and eliminates labor from the restaurants that use it.

Food Meets Fashion in NYC

On Thursday, May 16, The Food Institute is taking over the headquarters of Hugo Boss in downtown Manhattan to discuss food, finance, and fashion.

C-Stores Draw Market Share From Grocery, Retail

Casey’s and Maverik are highlighting breakfast while Buc-ee’s and Rutter’s are leveraging increased square footage and store footprints to drive sales and steal market share away from grocers and retailers.

The Next Big Thing in CPG? Shelf-Stable Products

With grocery refrigeration space tight, manufacturers are looking at producing shelf-stable products to cut waste and improve profits.