From Urban Markets to Suburban Sprawl: Grocers Testing New Territories

Across the U.S., national retailers are expanding both in their communities and testing new markets. Trader Joe’s alone expects 22 additional locations to open by year’s end.

Consumer Behavior Modifying Retail Seasons

The back-to-school shopping season has spread across multiple waves due to shifting consumer behavior. This trend may impact holiday shopping too, with retailers expecting slower sales growth.

Consumers Double Down on Convenience, Fresh

A new report reveals that 52% of consumers value convenience more than before. Grocers are responding by investing in convenience offerings, but face challenges competing with C-stores.

Death Sells: F&B Marketing with Masochistic Undertones on the Rise

The trend of brand names like Liquid Death or Death Wish Coffee points to a widespread shift toward shock value.

Jollibee: The Filipino Chicken Chain Winning Over America

Filipino chicken chain Jollibee continues to win over American customers and accelerate its growth. The chain’s leaders insist the keys to their success are rather simple.

Moving Targets: Does Pizza Hut’s New Box Signal a Return of Pandemic Trends?

Pizza Hut launched the Moving Box Table, a pizza box that doubles as a makeshift table for moving-day meals. This unique marketing tactic hints at a potential resurgence of strategies popularized in 2020.

Boar’s Head Recall Exposes Gaps in Food Safety Standards

In the wake of headline-grabbing Boar’s Head deli meat recall, industry experts say more safety standards and inspections are needed to prevent foodborne illness.

Earnings Show Why Major Foodservice Distributors Can Keep Taking Share

Despite declining restaurant traffic, major foodservice distributors reported strong performances in Q2. They remain confident in their strategies, including making long-term investments.

Extreme Weather Taking Toll on Crops, Livestock This Season

Extreme weather is damaging or destroying crops globally of late, especially coffee, cocoa and avocados – and climate scientists are concerned.

Four Key Themes at the Inaugural Newtopia Now Event

Mushrooms and protein-packed pastas stole the show at Newtopia Now this week. The Food Institute was on-site in Denver to note the latest industry trends.

The Top 5 Foods for Healthy Hearing

Recent research found that certain diets are associated with reduced risk of hearing loss. Even simply eating certain foods full of vitamins can help preserve one’s hearing, according to one audiologist.

Smart Money: Smart Carts Continue to Evolve, Boost Grocers’ Bottom Line

An evolving form of smart carts is helping grocery chains like Kroger, Price Chopper, and Schnucks offer painless and personalized shopping experiences.

Researchers: Antimicrobial Resistance, Superbugs Could Spur New Pandemic

Could a combination of the animals we eat and antimicrobial resistance eventually trigger another pandemic? Some university researchers fear that possibility is real.

3 Fall Flavors Poised to Surpass Pumpkin Spice in Popularity

The popularity of pumpkin spice has officially fallen like autumn leaves. According to a recent survey of 2,000 American adults by Talker Research, 58% of respondents reported that they now favor alternative fall flavors over pumpkin spice, and 45% reported fatigue with the once-beloved spice blend.

Japanese Company Unveils Revolutionary Diet Drink

A new drink is making waves with its unique approach to curbing hunger, transforming into a jelly-like substance once it reaches the stomach.

Meet the Modern ‘Click-and-Mortar’ Consumer

A new PYMNTS survey found roughly 40% of shoppers are “click-and-mortar” fans, either using their devices while shopping or ordering online and then picking up their purchases.

Study Puts Ultra-Processed Plant-Based Products Under Fire

A new study found that, for every 10% increase in calories from ultra-processed plant-based foods, there was a 5% increased risk of heart disease.

Circana: Consumers Increasingly Spending on Health and Wellness

The idea of health and wellness is evolving, as shown by a report that noted ways people are tapping into products to harmonize their lives.

Raising the Bar: How MadeGood and Bobo’s Snack Bars Became ‘Killer Products’

Two brands winning this back-to-school season are MadeGood and Bobo’s, according to a prominent CEO. The snacks’ allergen-free ingredients have won over Millennial parents.

Down Under Pressure: Outback Steakhouse Fighting to Win Back Diners

Outback Steakhouse has turned to value as its traffic dropped and it reduced locations. Industry experts are confident the 37-year-old chain can bounce back – provided it takes a few careful steps.

CEO of Chipotle Departs to Assume Leadership of Starbucks

Tuesday brought big business news, as Chipotle announced that its chairman and CEO, Brian Niccol, had accepted a similar post at Starbucks.

Down to the Bones: Juicy Marbles’ Primal Plant-Based Meat Experience

Alt-meat brand Juicy Marbles’ Baby Ribs aim to capture “the primal eating experience” ribs are known for, while delivering improved nutrition.

A for Effort: Parents, Administrators Improving School Lunches

As a new school year approaches, a survey shows parents are prioritizing nutrients and taste far more than cost when shopping for their kids’ school lunch items.

Recall Response 101: Strategies for Brands in Crisis

As recent product recalls show, the stakes are high when brands must respond to a recall. Experts share the necessary steps to keep a brand’s reputation intact during a recall.

Brazil Poised to Become Top World Food Exporter

The average Brazilian farmer was 46 in 2021, with the latest census putting the average age of U.S. farmers at 58 years old.

Lab-Engineered Potato Could Solve Age-Old Storage Issue

Researchers at Michigan State University have produced a breakthrough that promises better-tasting – and longer-lasting – potatoes.

Wawa, Red Robin Among Fastest Hirers in Tight U.S. Job Market

Indeed recently compiled a list the Top 15 companies hiring the fastest in the U.S., and the food industry was well-represented on the list.

Investors See Weak Earnings in Packaged Food as an Opportunity

The tough economic environment lately seems concentrated among lower-income consumers. Executives at Campbell and McCormick have pointed to particular weakness with that group.

Disease, Weather Devastating U.S. Citrus Industry

Citrus, once the dominant crop in Florida, has declined 92% in the past two decades, the victim of disease and extreme weather.

Cash or Credits? Walmart, McDonald’s Explore New Kind of Employee Compensation

New employee compensation initiatives at employers like McDonald’s and Walmart aim to make on-the-job experience count toward college credits.

5 Supply Chain Concerns to Watch in Late 2024

There are several global supply chain concerns for the second half of 2024. F&B executives are particularly concerned about geopolitical tensions and severe weather.

Pour It Over: New Bev50 Report Cites Rise of Impulse Purchases

Alpha-Diver’s latest Bev50 Report examines what’s currently driving consumer beverage purchases, leveraging their extensive U.S. database.

IFT FIRST 2024: Tackling Rising Commodity Costs with Innovation

Cost reduction was a central theme at the recent IFT FIRST industry event. Exhibitors offered a range of solutions to reduce costs in the short-term and future-proof supply chains in the long-term.

Are Collabs the Future of Marketing in F&B?

When brands collaborate, they tap into each other’s customer bases and brand equity. This synergy allows both businesses to reach a broader audience.

3 Key Takeaways from IFT FIRST 2024

From brain health to indulgent proteins, several evolving food industry trends were on display recently at the IFT FIRST 2024 expo. FI’s resident market researcher was on the scene, documenting the most intriguing innovations.

Dinner and a Movie: Can In-Theater Dining Save Struggling Cinemas?

The first half of 2024 featured a cold start for the domestic movie industry. Now, theaters across America are as focused as ever on making a “premium push” regarding their food and beverage offerings.