CEO: Marketing to Loyal Grocery Shoppers Imperative in 2022

Grocers must focus on solidifying loyalty among shoppers during economic turmoil, and a carefully considered advertising approach is key.

Analysis: Changing Pack Sizes Can Aid Grocers Amid Inflation

As many shoppers trade down brands in the wake of rising inflation these days, what retailers need to do to attract these customers differs based on their usual value proposition.

Report Shows Modern Consumers Demand Transparency from Brands

Industry insiders say retailers must offer deeper product information – beyond just labeling – to attract the attention of today’s consumers, many of whom demand environmentally friendly products.

Grocery Stores Diversify Pizza Offerings to Stay Competitive

As Americans aim to save on dining out amid inflation and restaurants battle labor and supply shortages, grocery stores strategize to please consumers’ pizza palates with frozen variety to deli and delivery convenience. Deli pizza …

‘Locavorism’ Trend Gaining Steam Despite Misconceptions

Eating local has developed a connotation for positive impact, from ethics to environment and even health, but how does the practice actually affect food systems, human systems and the planet? “There is not much evidence …

Amazon’s Grubhub+ Offering Signals New Approach to Loyalty

Food-based add-ins are playing a larger part in Amazon’s subscription plan, as retailers across the industry seek ways to combat fading customer loyalty and reduced spending. The addition of a year of Grubhub+ to Prime …

Some Pandemic Food Tech Here to Stay

An Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll of U.S. adults released July 5 reveals nearly half of U.S. adults want to ditch virtual activities and ordering groceries online – but they’d still like …

Report: Modern Consumers Snacking with a Purpose

Earlier in the pandemic, snacking complemented remote work and supplemented restaurant dining and continues to replace meals with added bonuses. This year, Grubhub’s infamous lunch promotion was prompted by 69% of New Yorkers surveyed saying …

Cold Beverages Red Hot at Coffee Fest 2022

CHICAGO – While coffee shops had previously been viewed as a “third place” to hang out and meet friends over a cup of hot java, shops are evolving to offer more cold beverages along with …

TikTok Expert: Authenticity Key for Food Brands Marketing to Gen Z

With an endless supply of content and more than 50 million daily users, there is no shortage of ways for brands to market themselves on TikTok – particularly to Gen Z. In fact, half of …

‘Everything Shortage’ Intensifying, from Condiments to Corn

Add condiments and corn to the abundance of shortages from the international supply chain crises. Australia’s low on lettuce, the Philippines are short on sugar, and sunflower oil is scarce in Spain, Bloomberg reported. Inflation, …

Gen Z Stakes Its Claim as The ‘Foodie’ Generation

Being a “foodie” is now a central component of the Gen Z identity, according to a recent study from Cassandra by Big Village. According to the report, Young & Hungry, Gen Z considers themselves the …

Summer Fancy Food Show Highlights What’s Next in Plant-Based

Plant-based was a unifying theme at the Specialty Food Association’s 2022 Summer Fancy Food show last week, with companies showcasing unique innovations across multiple food and beverage categories. With that, the plant-based specialty retail market …

Rising Gas Prices Prompt Changes in Shopping Habits

With gasoline prices topping $6 a gallon in some parts of the U.S., consumers have been rethinking their shopping habits, opting against multiple trips and turning to superstores and online solutions to cut down on …

Sunny Side Definitely Up for Plant-Based Egg Market

In a quiet evolution from shelf stable baking substitutes to refrigerated scrambles and beyond, plant-based eggs are on the rise. Consumer awareness of plant-based egg products has been increasing, but it is still a small …

Consumer Spending Shifts as Recession Warnings Loom

With COVID and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine buffeting supply chains, food availability and energy prices, economists are warning of dire times ahead as consumers shift spending patterns to cope with inflation. JPMorgan Chase & Co. …

Expert: Nutrition Should Be Focus for Plant-Based

When it comes to perceived health benefits, plant-based alternatives are at a pivotal juncture. On a recent Food Institute Podcast, Kerry Nutrition Scientist Nathan Pratt, PhD, RD, unpacked the challenges — and responsibilities — food …

Dollar Stores Cashing in Amid Inflation

Price-squeezed Americans are increasingly turning to discount stores, leading Dollar Tree and Dollar General to increase sales forecasts for the year. Dollar General even plans to open 1,110 new stores during the 2022 fiscal year, …

3 Tips for Grocers on Beating Inflationary Heat This Summer

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 …

Analysis: How Severely Will Inflation Impact Small Restaurants?

Half of all small business owners and nearly three-quarters of restaurateurs fear inflation will drive them out of business this year, the Alignable Small Business Inflation Poll indicates. “It’s the mom-and-pop diners and the small, …

A Closer Look at Alcoholic Beverage Trends

Steve Ramirez is a Vice President and Relationship Manager with City National Bank’s food and beverage group. Based in Los Angeles, he provides cash flow, asset-based lending, real estate and equipment financing expertise to family …

Mexican Food Hotter than Ever

Even a lingering pandemic has done little to slow the momentum of Merkado, an independent restaurant serving Mexican comfort food in San Francisco. The establishment, which features a menu inspired by Yucatán and Jaliscan cuisine, …

Convenience Store ‘Grab-and-Go’ a Growing Meal Option

The convenience store long has been a place where one could grab a quick slushy on the way home from school or a bag of chips on the road. But a funny thing has happened: …

Analysis: What’s Driving Growth in Specialty Food

Once a niche, hard-to-find category, specialty food is becoming a staple in consumers’ kitchens. KeHE Distributors President and CEO Brandon Barnholt recently joined The Food Institute Podcast to discuss specialty food trends, factors affecting the industry, and …

Expert: Brands Must Consider Emotional Factors of Inflation

How will consumer behavior shift as prices climb amid inflation? Most c-suites – in food business, and beyond – are inadvertently approaching this question with a purely rational framing, evaluating the marketplace as if every …

As Inflation Rises, Consumers and Food Companies Pivot

It’s been four decades since consumers were slapped with a double whammy of rapidly rising food and gas prices. In the 1970s and early 1980s consumers coped by switching to generics, changing their diets, and …

3 Strategies for CPG Success During a Recession

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 …

Deli Prepared Foods Thriving Despite Inflationary Squeeze

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 …

3 Key Shopping and Dining Trends Forming in `The New Normal’

Like many things, consumer behavior has changed over the past two years. In fact, a new report from Placer.ai found that hybrid work, increased economic uncertainty, and more leisure activity, dramatically accelerated the rate of …

7 Ways CPG Companies Accelerated Growth in 2021

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 …

Report: Bacon, Refrigerated Snacks Big CPG Winners Since 2020

Consumer data analysis firm Catalina reports two years into the coronavirus pandemic, Americans are snapping up certain packaged foods at a rapid clip, and there’s little evidence the trend is slowing much. Bacon, refrigerated snacks …

Kerry: Health, Wellness Primary Concerns for Modern Consumers

What’s the mindset of the average American consumer in 2022? Kerry, a global food company, examined that question last week in a webinar titled “How America Eats: Creating Data-Driven Success for Food Brands.” “We’ve been …

Functional Beverage Market Percolating

In 2022, consumers have a growing thirst for functional beverages. The global functional beverage market size was estimated at nearly $120 billion (USD) in 2021 and, according to researchandmarket.com, is projected to grow at a …

Can Indulgent Treats Improve Health and Wellness?

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 …

Can Meat Industry Maintain Record-Setting Sales?

The recently released 2022 Power of Meat report indicated pandemic-induced inflation sent meat prices soaring, with sales hitting a record $81.8 billion in 2021, an increase of 0.3% from the previous year. Those record sales …

Analysis: Putting the ‘Pegan’ Diet Craze Under the Microscope

In recent years, many diets have become popular for anticipated benefits and attractive trade-offs, as people try to balance proper nutrition with habits that align with their lifestyle values. In today’s market, methods of food …