FI Fast Break audio news: May 21, 2025
The latest FI Fast Break news podcast discusses how trade tensions continue to drive consumers to tighten their wallets.
Tag: CPG > Page 2
The ‘Return to Real’ Trend: Why ‘Simple’ is the New Superfood
The “Return to Real” trend signals a growing consumer shift toward authenticity–favoring simple, transparent ingredients and tangible, in-person experiences over hyper-enhanced, tech-driven products. For food industry leaders, this presents a chance to embrace nostalgia, highlight natural ingredients, and rethink marketing strategies to align with consumers’ craving for genuine connection.
How 2D Barcodes Could Revolutionize Retail
The UPC has long been a staple in food retail—but 2D barcodes are poised to take its place and transform how manufacturers, retailers, and consumers connect. In this on-demand webinar, experts from GS1 US and …
CPG Shake-Up: Tariffs and GLP-1 Drugs Challenge Brands
With ingredient bans, rising tariffs, and the influence of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, the CPG industry faces a pivotal moment. Forward-thinking brands that embrace strategic supply chain shifts and data-driven consumer insights are most likely to emerge as winners, experts say.
New and Next by Nestlé: Seize Upon the Comfort Food Trend
Comfort food remains a powerful force in the food industry, with brands like Stouffer’s leading the way in reinventing beloved classics to align with evolving consumer tastes. As restaurants lean further into “permissible indulgence,” the opportunity to customize and elevate familiar favorites presents a lucrative avenue for operators.
FI News Review (May 9, 2025): Top Food and Beverage Stories
Packaging Innovations Help F&B Brands Meet Sustainability Goals
As consumer demand for sustainable packaging increases, brands like Frugalpac and KIND Snacks are making bold moves to redefine industry standards, with Frugal Bottle’s rollout at Target and KIND’s curbside-recyclable wrapper pilot setting new benchmarks for eco-conscious innovation. Other brands are expected to follow their lead.
General Mills Sounds Short-, Long-Term Alarms
General Mills faces mounting challenges such as market volatility and cautious consumer behavior, as tariff pressures also begin to weigh on its performance. It begs the question: Can legacy brands reclaim their once-unshakable dominance?
CPG Brands Eye Success by Connecting Data Sets
Consumer price sensitivities, plus tariff uncertainty, have added up to tumult for CPG brands in 2025. “Whether it’s tariffs or the tightening of consumer wallets, CPG brands are trying to figure out how to get …
Power Players of the Aisle: CPG’s Fastest-Growing Brands Revealed
The Circana CPG Growth Leaders report revealed how top-performing brands like Constellation Brands and Celsius energy drinks leverage innovation, personalization, and exclusive partnerships to drive consumer loyalty. The research underscores the importance of authentic connections for sustained growth.
The Well Network Celebrates First-Year Anniversary and Expands Programming in 2025
How Food and Beverage Can Contend with Uncertainty
Lou Biscotti from CBIZ explains how uncertainty, tariffs, geopolitical tensions, and inflation are impacting the food and beverage industry.
FI Spotlight: What’s Behind Final Boss Sour’s Social Media Domination?
Threatened Mexico Tariffs Have CPG Manufacturers Scrambling
The Trump administration’s 25% tariff on Mexican goods has left F&B companies scrambling to respond. Many are making contingency plans.
Big Food, Big Trouble: Small Brands Steal Share Amid Inflation
Major food companies are losing market share to smaller, often regional brands as consumers – especially Gen Zers – seek out more affordable options. This shift, driven by social media and changing consumer preferences, poses a significant challenge to established brands that rely on measures of success like shelf space and distribution.
Why Wellness is Important to NBA Champion John Salley
FI Spotlight: How Nordic Culture Inspired This Food Trend
Ramping Your Brand
Dr. James Richardson, author of Ramping Your Brand and owner of Premium Growth Solutions, shares some of the pitfalls many early-stage CPG brands make, and highlights some of the pathways to success.
The Well Network Kicking Off Expo West Week with its First-Year Anniversary Celebration
Global Street Food Takes Over Frozen Aisle
Global street food is hot: contributing over $543.5 million in frozen aisle CPG sales over the past two years.
FI Spotlight: Unboxing the Specialty Food Association’s New Winter FancyFaire Show
Executive Chef: Latin Flavor Explosion Has Only Just Begun
Twin Peaks’ executive chef predicts spicy flavors will continue to dominate menus, as consumers increasingly crave regional dishes from Latin America, like birria tacos. Now, more than ever, diners are embracing authentic cuisine.
5 Key Ingredients for Healthy Meals in 2025
Chickpeas, miso, and tahini are among the versatile, nutrient-rich ingredients to watch, according to longtime culinary expert Chef Dennis Littley. After all, modern consumers demand dishes that are packed with protein, fiber, and probiotics.
The Specialty Shift: Health, Premiumization, Value Will Shape 2025
The demand for better-for-you products is driving shifts across the food industry, prompting demands for premium ingredients and transparent messaging. Consumers are also embracing bold flavors, premiumization, and redefined notions of value, as noted in the 2025 Specialty Food Industry Outlook Report, which FI co-authored.
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Flower Power: Gen Z Craves Floral Menu Innovations
As consumers wish for better spring weather, recent data shows that floral flavors are growing in popularity, particularly among Gen Z and younger consumers. FI spoke with an industry expert about these nascent trends and their deeper implications.
Baily Foods’ Secret to Authentic Asian Cuisine
Innova Market Insights recently noted that two in three consumers are open to trying new international food, with Asian cuisines ranking second most popular for meals (after the consumer’s local cuisine). And, according to a …
Specialty Food Spotlight: Sampling Year Ahead With Winter Fancy Food Show
The quest to lower one’s biological age, which reflects physiological health rather than years lived, could soon reshape the health and wellness landscape, driven by advancements in aging research. The F&B industry has a unique opportunity to innovate products that support longevity.
Beyond Price Hikes: How CPGs Stay Competitive
As CPGs can no longer guarantee price increases as a surefire way to maintain positive margins, they’re looking to other solutions. Premiumization and brand acquisitions are two methods stakeholders will leverage in the coming year.
Specialty Food Association Announces New Winter FancyFaire* Event
The Great CPG Shakeup: Brands Are Getting Smarter in 2025
The CPG category is undergoing a significant transformation, blending AI, retail media networks, and social shopping to create deeply personalized experiences. These innovations are reshaping shopping into a seamless experience for consumers.
FI Spotlight: An Inside Look at the 2025 Winter Fancy Food Show
Food Industry Outlook: Where Are We, Where Are We Going?
Retail volume sales are up for the first time in three years; however, restaurant visits are down, to the chagrin of foodservice. In an FI webinar, experts discussed where the industry is heading in 2025.
FI Spotlight – Breaking into the Gluten Free Market: Tips for CPG Success
Withum Advisory Firm and The Well Network Host CPG Panel As Holiday Shopping Hits High Gear
Retail Opportunity: Private Label Wins Heading Into 2025
The private label category continues to enjoy seismic growth, slated to reach 24% by 2030. In a recent webinar, stakeholders discuss why the category has endured success, and what’s ahead in 2025.
