Consumers’ Top 10 Craveable Coffee Chains

Technomic polled consumers to rank their top coffee chains, finding consumers valued taste, specialty flavors, and high-quality beans.

Smart-Voice Technology: Coming Soon, to a Drive-Thru Near You

In a world of fast-changing consumer demands, the classic fast-food drive-thru window is evolving. From doubling lanes to fully digital menu boards, restaurants have made all kinds of improvements to the drive-thru service. With technology …

Functional Health, Global Flavors Driving Ingredient Trends

Consumers are redefining healthy eating with a growing taste for functional, authentic, and adventurous ingredients, according to a new report from Tastewise.

Holiday Spending Rises as Consumers Show Appetite for Experiences

This holiday retail season looked different than years past, industry experts noted. Retailers discounted heavily but consumers diversified their holiday spending to accommodate rising prices.

Experts Predict Asian Food Boom in 2023

To hear experts tell it, an Asian food boom has begun in America. During Tuesday’s Food Institute webinar – “What’s Ahead in 2023?” –Solomon Choi, CEO of Jabba Brands, noted that internationally-inspired hard seltzers and …

2023 Flavor Forecast: Expect Influx of French Cuisine

When it comes to classical cooking and decadent flavors, look no further than France. With centuries of tradition and innovation, excellent French cuisine is some of the most celebrated and sought after. Flavor giant McCormick …

Grocery Sticker Shock Has Changed Buyer Habits

Consumers who want to save money on groceries are turning to coupons, loyalty programs, and rewards while cutting back on snacks, a survey by Seattle retail technology platform Swiftly indicates. The online True Cost of …

Self-Checkouts Often Inaccessible to Disabled Shoppers

Disability-advocacy groups are calling upon retailers to address the issue of inaccessible self-checkout lanes.

Consumers Largely Positive Heading into 2023

Consumer spending habits and behaviors are shifting, with frugality taking a front seat in the face of rising prices and uncertainty over the economy, a new survey of consumer trends by Attest indicates. “Frugality is …

CEO: Food Allergy Issue Now an ‘Epidemic’ in America

Approximately 110 million Americans are directly or indirectly impacted by either a severe food allergy or food sensitivity in their household, prompting some in the food industry to call for increased transparency on labeling.

Meet the Two Biggest Enemies of Indoor Farming

Getting the vertical farming industry to reach its objectives will require much collaboration and benchmarking, industry insiders note.

Analysis: Consumer Spending Slowing, Even for the Wealthy

Due to the current inflationary environment, and with fears of a looming recession, analysis shows consumers are trading down in their spending, looking at less expensive brands and going for deals.

Experts Dish Regarding Latest Dessert Trends

A recent report by Technomic noted global dessert trends, revealing that 41% of consumers would welcome more vegan or dairy-free desserts on restaurant menus.

Keto, Upcycling Steal the Show at 2022 Private Label Event

ROSEMONT, Illinois – The 2022 Private Label Trade Show showcased product innovations from over 1,400 exhibitors and over 50 countries in food, beverages, household goods, and more. Among the food and beverage offerings, companies highlighted …

Consumers Break Black Friday, Cyber Monday Records

Despite recession fears, consumers were in a spending mood to kick off the holiday season, breaking Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales records.

Functional Beverage Market Continues to Gain Momentum

These days, an increasing share of consumers are looking for drinks that not only taste good, but also serve a beneficial function. These functional beverages contain ingredients that, theoretically, can help build and maintain health, …

Divergent Consumer Groups Influence Holiday Spending

While worries over inflation and the economy take precedent for a leading percentage of consumers, a sizable number are approaching the holiday season with a desire to live sustainable lives or have rewarding experiences.

Fledgling Brands Must Solve Problems to Break Through

How can fledgling brands break through to become well-received? Alison Cayne, creator of Haven’s Kitchen Sauces, revealed a few secrets in the latest “FI Live” event.

High Tolerance: How Functional THC-infused Drinks & Snacks Could Alter the Industry

THC is one of the fastest growing ingredients in foodservice, increasingly legal, and visible amid a key demo—the millennials.

Thanksgiving 2022: Cost to Dine Out Versus Eat In Shrinking

The common wisdom is that it’s cheaper to eat a home-cooked meal than to dine out or order in, but with dining-out prices increasing at a slower rate than grocery prices, that old adage may …

How Data Builds Brand Loyalty

The inflationary environment means grocers need to fight hard to retain their customers, and data is one of the most important marketing tools at their fingertips.

‘Contextual Commerce’ Reimagines Need-based Shopping

Grocers seeking the full potential of their digital platforms may want to investigate contextual commerce, wherein they present products to customers based on their wants and needs rather than the contents of traditional store aisles.

Survey: Despite Inflation, Americans Embracing Food Delivery

According to a new survey, on average, consumers spend $13 per order on so-called “hidden” delivery fees. Despite such fees, young adults seem willing to pay.

Kerry Unveils Flavor Trends to Watch for 2023

This article is written and sponsored by Kerry. Each year, Kerry evaluates trending flavors and tastes across five key categories: sweet, salty snack, savory, hot and dairy-based beverages, and cold and water-based beverages. Within each category, …

Survey Reveals Four Ways Americans are Cutting Food Costs

Inflation is hitting Americans hard and is causing most to cut back everyday items. A recent survey from Attest proves that food and beverages are not immune to necessary cutbacks. Dr. Lin Carson, CEO of …

Whole Foods Top Trends Highlight Brands on a Mission

What are Whole Foods top trends for food in 2023? Brands with a mission ranked highly in this year’s report.

Survey: Purpose-led Brands See Far Higher Revenue Growth than Incumbents

A new survey shows the value that having a clear sustainability mission can have for purpose-led brands in the CPG space.

Survey: Retailers Must Strategize to Maximize Potential Amid Inflation

If inflation continues to rise, 57% of retailers will continue to boost everyday prices, according to a new survey. Should this occur, retailers need to take care as they chart their path forward.

Experts’ Top 3 Flavor Trends to Watch in 2023

New flavor trends are emerging at the intersection of persistent food inflation and pent-up consumer demand leftover from COVID lockdowns.

Survey: Tracking Gen Z Food Preferences

Here are key stats on what, and where, Gen Z is eating these days, according to Piper Sandler’s Fall Taking Stock with Teens survey.

Report: Loyalty Members Defying Inflation with Higher Spending

Loyalty spending reached the highest point on record across all restaurant and convenience store concepts in 2021. This traction reflects the value of loyalty programs as a source of revenue during inflationary periods. According to …

Gen Z Expert: Authenticity Key to Effective Influencer Endorsements

Six months into the Kim Kardashian Chief Taste Consultant experiment for Beyond Meat, the stock is trading lower than ever. In today’s truth- and value-centered market, do influencer endorsements help or hinder a product?

Food Prices Negatively Impacting Consumers’ Outlook on Inflation

Food inflation has been a major contributor to CP’s steady climb, and is negatively impacting consumers’ outlooks on inflation in the future.

Millennials, Gen Z Key to Plant-Based Advancement

Despite industry-wide challenges, both dairy and meat plant-based alternatives are forecast to grow through 2024, driven almost entirely by Millennials and Gen Zers. According to a recent report by The NPD Group, these plant-based consumers …

Energy Crisis?: What Bang’s Financial Woes Signify for Energy Drinks

The maker of Bang energy drinks recently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, but the overflowing energy drinks category appears to be on relatively solid footing for the foreseeable future.

Survey Suggests Takeout, Deliveries Increasingly Popular

Inflation be damned, consumers are ordering more delivery and takeout orders today than they were prior to the recent increase in the cost of living. New global research shed light on consumer behavior and delivery …