The Plight of the Hourly Employee: Low Morale, Long Hours and AI Fears
A new study shows that hourly employees are demanding more recognition from their employers along with increasingly flexible schedules.
Focus Archive
Buc-ee’s – Not Your Father’s Fuel Stop
Buc-ee’s has redefined the c-store by boasting the cleanest restrooms, a wide array of private-label goods, music, foodservice, and more.
Sugar Wars: High-Fructose Corn Syrup Under Siege
Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna (FL-13) has introduced what would be a paradigm-shifting legislative package intended to improve the dietary health of Americans by banning high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) and certain color additives in foods produced in the U.S.
Private Label Growth Pockets in Frozen Food
As consumers continue to stockpile frozen foods, retail operators are leveraging private labels to tap into that demand. Which frozen products are experiencing the most store brand sales growth? FI investigates.
3 Trends Spotted at the 2024 Summer Fancy Food Show
If you asked 100 attendees of the 2024 Summer Fancy Food Show what the hottest trend was, you’d likely get several different answers.
Pepsi Smart Can: Game-changer, or Marketing Gimmick?
PepsiCo has developed a so-called “smart can” that can deliver tailored, digital content. Experts are torn on whether or not the brand will get legitimate ROI on its investment.
Personalized Wellness on the Rise: 90% Seek Tailored Health Products
“The global wellness economy is booming across all sectors as people prioritize healthier choices,” noted David Knies, wellness and innovation expert at PA Consulting.
Missing the Mark – Private Label is Failing at Target
Everything is cyclical. There’s a pendulum at play for any brand investing heavily in the private-label game – as more house brands populate shelves with similar names and cheaper prices than their national brand counterparts, public perception of the parent company may swing along with the pendulum; in other words, some consumers may begin to question what they’re compromising when their carts are full of private-label goods instead of the national brands they may have been buying last week, last quarter, or last year. So swings the pendulum as a blade of commerce.
July Fourth Food Report: Grilling Burgers is 3x Cheaper than Dining Out
Grillers rejoice. Hosting a July Fourth cookout could cost less than it did in 2023 (if consumers prep more staples at home).
Dr. Praeger’s Targeting ‘Nutrition-Curious’ Consumers
Dr. Praeger’s is enjoying double-digit growth across several product categories, including veggie-forward burgers and those that mimic traditional meat. What’s the secret behind their success?
What’s the Big Dill? Suddenly, Pickles Are Everywhere
Pickle flavors proliferate in 2024, making their way into many of America’s popular snack items. Pickle power shows no signs of slowing.
The Secrets to Winning Gen Z’s Dining Dollars: Trust, Value, and Social Media
Building trust is imperative when attempting to win over Gen Z consumers – and that notion was reinforced by a study released Monday morning.
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.
Sealing the Deal: Certifications Become Competitive Edge for Food
Today’s consumer is interested in far more than just taste when it comes to the food they purchase. The values and the mission of the brands they buy from need to align with consumers’ beliefs. …
High-Fat Diets Linked to Anxiety
New research may make some consumers think twice before ordering a Quarter Pounder with Cheese, suggesting high-fat diets may fuel anxiety.
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.
Sustainably Sourced Chocolate: An Evergreen ESG Splurge?
Consumers frequently express a willingness to pay extra for products they perceive to be sustainable, but actual shopping behavior often tells a different story. What sets sustainably sourced chocolate apart from the rest?
Intermittent Fasting 101: How the Diet Trend is Reshaping Habits
Intermittent fasting is an approach to weight management that many people swear by these days. The simple act of reshaping how you eat – and strategizing when you eat — provides benefits that may improve one’s overall health. Here’s what you need to know.
Going Electric: Walmart Commits to Digital Signage
“The digital element presents an expanded shopper/marketer revenue stream for the company,” Zakowicz said.
Fountain of Youth? Collagen-Infused Beverages Show Big Potential
Collagen-infused drinks are catching on. Dr. Danielle Kelvas, for one, thinks using collagen – a protein that, among other things, gives skin its elasticity – as an ingredient can create ideal functional beverages.
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.
Innovation and Inflation: Dual Forces Shaping the Plant-Based Milk Market
Milk alternatives continue to hold the largest share of the plant-based category as innovations intrigue a broader group of consumers. But inflation remains a challenge and some varieties are facing more scrutiny from consumers.
Has Raw Milk Gotten a Raw Deal?
While cow’s milk has waned in popularity, the reputation of raw milk has curdled from being the only show in town to a product whose mere mention is fodder for the most heated of internet debates.
Trade Tensions Escalate: China Targets EU Pork and Dairy Amid EV Dispute
China is fighting back against EU anti-subsidy plans, and is collecting evidence for an investigation into EU pork and dairy products.
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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.
Brewing Change: Iced Tea Stealing Spotlight from Soda
Iced tea has enjoyed sweet success of late, and a new survey suggests the drink poses a serious threat to carbonated soft drinks.
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.
Fast-Food Chains Betting on Bite-Sized Snacks
These days, mini meals have major appeal for Gen Z. QSRs have taken notice, with new offerings like KFC’s Apple Pie Poppers.
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.
Harvard: Planetary Health Diet Can Lower Risk of Premature Death
A new study revealed that people who eat a according to a Planetary Health Diet may substantially lower their risk of premature death.
Plant-based Consumers’ Favorite QSRs
U.S. consumers love fast food and those who follow a plant-forward diet are no exception. Which quick service restaurants (QSRs) are plant-based consumers seeking out this year?
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.
Wild Results: Buffalo Wild Wings Promotion Pays Huge Dividends
The promotion, which started in mid-May, saw visits on Monday, May 27 increase nearly 56% compared to the average number of Monday visitors from the four months prior.