Kroger Shares Fresh Food Trends for 2020

Kroger announced its top food trend predictions for 2020, insightfully curated by its culinary experiences team and product developers, chefs and innovators.

Kroger's Top Five Trends for 2020:

1. NOWstalgia

Consumers are increasingly seeking out foods and flavors that bring back fond childhood memories. New foods will continue to be added to grocery shelves that deliver nostalgic flavors in a reimagined way—charming customers of all ages and generations...

Mintel Announces Four U.S. Foodservice Trends for 2020 

Mintel has announced four trends set to impact the US restaurant industry in 2020, bringing new opportunities to appeal to diners based on specific dietary and lifestyle needs.

Amanda Topper, Associate Director, Foodservice Research at Mintel, outlines the trends and what they mean for restaurants in the year ahead:

Battleground: Foodservice

With more options for buying food and drink than ever, restaurants will lean into their ability to be a social gathering place, in addition to a place to refuel. To remain competitive, they will modify existing operations to...

Mintel: UK Sales of Meat-Free Foods Shoot Up 40% Between 2014-2019 

From meatless steak bakes to plant-based Whoppers, it seems that vegan food product launches are now in full swing as new research from Mintel reveals a nation hungry for meat-free foods.

Over the past two years, the number of Brits who have eaten meat-free foods has shot up from 50% in 2017 to 65% in 2019. Meanwhile, sales of meat-free foods have grown an impressive 40% from £582 million in 2014 to an estimated £816 million in 2019. Such is the popularity of meat-free food that sales are expected to be in excess of £1.1 billion by 2024.

According to Mintel research, the proportion of meat eaters who have reduced or limited the amount of meat they consume has risen from 28% in 2017 to 39% in 2019. Women are more likely than men to have...

Cargill Predicts Food Trends for 2020

Consumers' connection to their foods is driving change across supply chains throughout the food system. When considering the protein industry, innovation, convenience, nutrition, transparency, and sustainability are leading to new practices and products. Cargill has provided 10 trends influencing what, how, and the way consumers are expected to eat in the year 2020.

1. Growing appeal of protein 

U.S. consumers have a growing appetite for protein, with 55% of U.S. households saying high protein is an important attribute to consider when buying food. In fact, 65% of consumers often or always think about protein in their diets and...

NPD Group: Holiday Cheer Spurred Transaction Gains for Quick Service Restaurants in December

Quick service restaurant (QSR) chains, which represent the bulk of industry transactions, had four consecutive weeks of transaction increases in the retail month of December (December 2 through January 5) and were the primary contributor to the total industry gains in the month, reports The NPD Group. Casual dining chains, on the other hand, began the month stable but saw transaction declines in the last three weeks of the month. Midscale/family dining chains, despite a drop in the last week, finished the month flat, according to NPD’s CREST Performance Alerts, which provides a rapid weekly view of chain-specific transactions and...

National Retail Federation: Growing Emphasis on Convenience for Today’s Consumers

Today’s consumers increasingly prioritize convenience when it comes to purchases, and expect retailers to continue to offer innovative ways to save them time and effort, according to the latest issue of the Consumer View report released today by the National Retail Federation.

“Time is a precious commodity for today’s consumers,” NRF Vice President for Research Development and Industry Analysis Mark Mathews said. “Shoppers are busier with commuting to work, dealing with family obligations or catching up on schoolwork, among other things. Naturally, convenience factors are playing a larger role in their shopping experience.”

According to the report, 83 percent of consumers say convenience while shopping is more important to them now compared with five years ago. While consumers overwhelmingly opt for...

Gen Z and Millennial Consumers Naturally Favor Organic Foods and Beverages

The prevailing demographic of organic consumers skews in two directions. Most obvious are consumers who are upscale (including higher educational attainment and household income). Less obvious are younger adult consumers of the Gen Z (ages 18-24) and Millennial (ages 25-39) generations, reveals Packaged Facts in the new market research study Eating Trends: Generational Food, the final report in a five-part Eating Trends anthology.

“Millennials and younger members of Generation X tend to be the biggest users of organic foods, and much more likely than average to agree that they especially look for...

NPD Group: Most U.S. Consumers Read the Nutrition Facts Label

Food companies with annual sales of at least $10 million began following the federal government’s updated nutrition facts labeling rules on January 1. Since the majority of consumers, nearly 90%, do read the labels, it’s an important information source for them, reports The NPD Group.

The top two items consumers look for on the labels are sugars and calories, both of which had an update with the new labeling rules. Fifty-seven percent of consumers who read nutrition facts labels look for sugars, and 45% of adults say they look at the nutrition facts label to find information on calories, according to NPD’s Health Aspirations and Behavioral Tracking Service. On the new label, calories are...

REPORTER: Sustainability: The Deciding Factors For Consumers

The ways in which foodservice is delivering on brand promises to consumers are widening as sustainability is becoming increasingly important. While Nielsen expects shoppers to spend up to $150 billion on sustainable products by 2021, sustainability is starting to drive gains in categories from resource management to product packaging. On a global scale, 81% of consumers feel that it is “extremely” or “very” important that companies implement programs to improve the environment. Meanwhile, 70% of shoppers would “definitely” or “probably” change their consumption habits to reduce their personal impact on the environment... 

Packaged Facts: Affluent Consumers Favor Fresh, Local, and Simple Food Brands

The 42 million affluent food shoppers with household incomes of $150,000 or more exercise an outsize influence on the U.S. food industry, reports Affluent Food Shoppers, a market research report by Packaged Facts. Where affluent consumers grocery shop, how they grocery shop, and which food and beverage products and brands they purchase cause them to have a disproportionate impact on the bottom line of brick-and-mortar supermarkets and grocery stores.

When it comes to brand preference, many brands that are popular among affluent food shoppers share certain specific characteristics. Natural and organic brands garner much of the attention, but...

REPORTER: A 2020 Vision of Food Trends

As we bring in the new year, food trends from the previous decade are expected to expand while fresh concepts will emerge. Shifting demands for flavor innovation and health are steering menus to reflect sustainable ingredients, proving the prioritization of social responsibility is influencing the industry to respond creatively. Workforce trends are also underway, as global economic factors and labor concerns gain steam, and consumer behaviors are impacted. As these developments connect, they are predicted to create a lasting impression on the foodservice industry in the new year and going forward...

Consumer Confidence Index Dipped in December

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index decreased marginally in December, following a slight increase in November. The Index now stands at 126.5 (1985=100), down from 126.8 (an upward revision) in November. The Present Situation Index – based on consumers’ assessment of current business and labor market conditions – increased from 166.6 to 170.0. The Expectations Index – based on consumers’ short-term outlook for income, business and labor market conditions – decreased from 100.3 last month to 97.4 this month.

“Consumer confidence declined marginally in December, following a slight improvement in November,” said Lynn Franco, Director of Economic Indicators at The Conference Board. “While consumers’ assessment of current conditions improved, their expectations declined, driven primarily by...

Research and Markets: Global Meal Kit Market Report 

According to Research and Markets, the global meal kit market is expected to surpass $15.5 billion by the end of 2025. In the United States and Europe, the demand for meal kits is observed. The global food processing meal kit market is expected to grow significantly during the forecast period. The main factors driving the global market for meal kits are the world's rising working professional, a growing urban population, an increasing tendency to reduce food waste, and the availability of fresh food items.

The United States holds the major share in the global meal kit market, with a digital boom creating positive impacts. Subscription models and ordering meals online is growing tremendously due to...

Winsight's Digital Maturity Benchmark Study Ranks Grocery's Top Retailers 

Digital is sparking change in every market segment, and grocery is no exception. Evolving customer demand—coupled with continued increases in competition—is driving the business forward, forcing grocers to upgrade their digital capabilities if they are to thrive in a highly challenging business environment.

That's the overarching takeaway from the inaugural Grocery Digital Maturity Benchmark study, which was conducted by Incisiv and Winsight Grocery Business. The report provides the industry's first global assessment of grocery retailers' digital performance and identifies...

Nielsen: Top 5 Factors that Impacted Online Grocery Businesses in 2019 

As we close the book on 2019, brick-and-mortar drove the vast majority of grocery sales—particularly for fresh food—yet e-commerce maintained its meteoric rise.

This push-and-pull between the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry’s brick-and-mortar foundation and e-commerce growth engine didn’t lure shoppers completely out of stores but encouraged them to dabble. Considering three-fourths of American adults buy both online and offline, grocers can better activate the levers to meet consumers where they are and encourage grocery shopping on their e-commerce platforms.

Understanding the factors that drove shoppers online purchase decisions in 2019 will help...

Technomic: Retail Foodservice Purchases on the Rise Compared to 2017 

Technomic found that 66% of consumers purchase prepared foods from retail at least three times a month, compared to 55% in 2017. Technomic’s 2019 Retail Foodservice Consumer Trend Report takes a look at what’s driving this growth, including recent retailer investments in foodservice menu variety and quality.

“Regularly scheduled grocery trips drive many prepared foods purchases as consumers appreciate being able to take care of grocery shopping while also having access to a freshly prepared meal or snack,” explains Bret Yonke, manager of consumer insights at Technomic. “Moving forward, full-service restaurant and food hall experiences will begin to...

Nielsen: Bridging the Gap to Better Eating in America 

Americans want to eat healthfully. And it’s this intention to eat better that should serve as a guide for food and beverage companies into 2020 and beyond.

We’re all human, and that means we don’t always do as we say. But there are reasons for that. Some are logical, others are emotional…but the gap is real. And the smartest companies are dialed into the nature of human behavior. They’re evolving and maneuvering to bridge the gap between what people want and what stands in the way of following through on those wants. If consumers have an intent to change, even at a subconscious or subliminal level, marketers need to do everything they can to...

Hunter Releases Annual Food News Study 

or the first time in the history of the HUNTER Annual Food News Study, a social media-led story broke through as the most memorable story of the year, with news of the Fast Food Chicken Sandwich Throwdown On Twitter ranking as 2019's No. 1 food news story. What's not new is the presence of fast food in the number one spot. From 2010 to 2019, nearly half of the top food news stories were related to fast food. Throughout the past decade, food safety, social policy and menu evolutions consistently made for memorable headlines, underscoring the impact fast food establishments have in food and contemporary culture.

"Americans are hungry for food news. Nearly half believe that food and nutrition stories are more important than other types of news stories," said Heddy DeMaria, Chief Insights Officer of HUNTER. "Our annual study not only helps to identify which stories are capturing the most attention but also measures...

Mintel Announces Global Food and Drink Trends for 2030 

Mintel has announced three key trends that will shape the global food, drink, and foodservice industries over the next 10 years:

• Change, Incorporated: Successful companies will be those that improve the health of the planet and its population.
• Smart Diets: Technology will enable consumers to construct hyper-individualised approaches to physical and mental health.
• High-tech Harvests: Consumer trust in food science and technology will strengthen as these become vital tools to save the food supply.

Expect to see consumers further prioritise plants in their diets, with the planet’s health in mind as much as their own. From beer made from...

Survey Finds that Dining Experience Beats Convenience when U.S. Consumers Make Restaurant Choices

While Americans are addicted to the convenience that mobile devices offer, new research suggests that more consumers prefer to slow down and enjoy the in-restaurant dining experience over online ordering and delivery services. The research also found that food quality and consistency are what sway consumers' choices the most, when selecting a restaurant for either dining in or takeout.

A nationwide survey of more than 1,000 U.S. consumers by facilities management leader Vixxo found that two in three Americans still prefer dining in restaurants (62%) over takeout or delivery (34%). The findings – which were surprisingly consistent across all demographic groups – suggest that people prefer their meals to be...

Technomic Releases 2020 Global Restaurant Trends 

The end of another decade offers a great opportunity to reflect on just how dynamic and fast-moving the restaurant industry truly is. Plant-based “meats,” third-party delivery apps, social media-friendly dining spaces—these were not much more than blips on the radar in 2010. But in 2020, they are essential and vital to the industry.

Looking ahead, expect to see many of last year’s macro trends evolve and mature, while quick-moving fads burn bright and fade. We can also expect the unexpected—a viral video that sparks the end of plastic straws, restaurant brands that mushroom from one to 1,000 locations seemingly overnight—all seems...

NPD Group: Thanksgiving Week is Synonymous with Food but Not with Restaurant Transactions

Restaurant transactions for Thanksgiving week, the week ending December 1, were down 7% compared to same week last year (Thanksgiving was a week earlier in 2018), reports The NPD Group. Restaurant transactions declined by 8% for both the casual dining and quick service restaurant segments during Thanksgiving week, according to CREST Performance Alerts, which provides a rapid weekly view of chain-specific transactions and share trends for 73 quick service, fast casual, midscale, and casual dining chains.

Midscale/family dining restaurants, which offer sit down breakfasts, pies, and other desserts, realized an 18% increase in transactions during Thanksgiving week compared to same period year ago. Restaurant transactions for...

Nielsen Releases Report on American Consumers' Eating Habits 

There’s room to grow for companies trying to win with healthy foods in America. The billions in sales growth from fresh foods (+$4.6 billion), organics (+$925 million) and foods that support plant-based diets (+982 million) can often be mistaken as signs of health-food saturation. But the reality is, consumers aren’t eating as well as they’d like to. And that’s an opportunity for growth in consumer packaged goods (CPG).

The gap between intention to eat better and action isn’t from lack of trying. Nearly all (99% of) Americans have purchased a low-fat food or beverage item this year, but households only do so about twice a month. Similarly, U.S. homes are only buying...

Grubhub Launches Annual "Year In Food" Report Highlighting the Top Trends in 2019

Grubhub, the nation's leading online and mobile food-ordering and delivery marketplace, today released findings from its annual "Year in Food" report. To find out what food trends shaped the year (or didn't), Grubhub analyzed tens of millions of orders placed by more than 21 million diners on its platform to uncover the flavors and tastes rising up the ranks among today's diners. Additionally, diners will receive their personalized "Taste of 2019" to get a glimpse of their favorite cuisines, menu items, and ordering habits throughout the year.

Key takeaways from the 2019 "Year in Food" report includes...

Restaurant Gift Card Use Trends Up

Gift card season is officially upon us. And though the majority of Winter holiday shoppers are focused on gift cards for top retailers, it’s important not to overlook the growing use of gift cards to popular restaurants and coffeehouses.

In the recent report Eating Trends: Restaurant Use, Packaged Facts states that between 2011 and 2019, the share of adults who buy gift cards overall has declined by five percentage points, to 39%. However, purchase of gift cards specifically for restaurants or coffeehouses is up by three percentage points, to 20%. Usage has steadily increased each year since 2011. As a result, growth in use of restaurant gift cards, much like growth in the use of restaurant coupons, is...

Thanksgiving Weekend Draws Nearly 190 Million Shoppers, Spending Up 16 Percent

A record 189.6 million U.S. consumers shopped from Thanksgiving Day through Cyber Monday this year, an increase of 14 percent over last year’s 165.8 million, the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics said today.

“Americans continue to start their holiday shopping earlier in the year, and Thanksgiving is still a critical weekend for millions,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “Whether they’re looking for something unique on Main Street, making a trip to the store or searching for the best deals from their mobile device, this is when shoppers shift into high gear. With the condensed holiday season, consumers are feeling the pressure to get their shopping done in time. Even those who typically wait until...

OpenTable Reveals Dining Trends for 2019

Before closing the menu on 2019, OpenTable released a retrospective look back at this year's most popular dining trends. From trending reviews to dining behavior across the country, this year's diners are looking to have their cake and eat it too.

"We hit a major milestone this year - 10 billion diners seated, using our software. To put that in perspective, that's more than the world's population," said Andrea Johnston, COO at OpenTable. "This year alone, we sat over 283 million diners who gave more than 13 million reviews. This uncovered a treasure trove of food trends and shifts in behavior to provide insightful context as to how people are eating in 2019."

On OpenTable's plate in 2019, diners moved towards more health-conscious dining preferences. Alternative diets are...

Nielsen Identifies Unique Sustainability Opportunities to Foster Trust with Consumers

More and more, consumers are factoring a product’s sustainability attributes into their purchasing behavior—and are even redefining what constitutes healthy to include the health of the world at large. As we’ve noted earlier, 73% of global consumers say they’re willing to change their consumption habits to reduce their environmental impact. This increasingly vocal majority could translate to big opportunities for brands that manage to effectively communicate the sustainability of their products.

In our April 2019 Omnibus study of more than 21,000 U.S. households, we analyzed consumers’ attitudes toward a cohort of sustainable attributes across 13 product categories. We found that across the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry, consumers prioritize “environmentally friendly” and “recycled packaging” as...

NPD Group: Growth in Mobile Holiday Shopping Benefits Stores

Twenty-five percent of online shoppers plan to use a smartphone for holiday shopping, and they are more likely than those who use other devices to buy online and pick up in store (BOPUS), according to insights from the 2019 Holiday Purchase Intentions Survey from The NPD Group. Smaller mobile screens have been taking on more of the shopping workload in recent years, growing from just 19% two years ago, and this can be a positive thing for physical retail doors.

“The consumer’s adoption of mobile shopping can lead them to the store, where most impulse spending takes place,” said Marshal Cohen, chief industry advisor, The NPD Group. “This further demonstrates the importance of a seamless retail approach in keeping up with...

Consumer Confidence Index Declined Slightly in November

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index decreased in November, following a slight decline in October. The Index now stands at 125.5 (1985=100), down from 126.1 in October. The Present Situation Index – based on consumers’ assessment of current business and labor market conditions – decreased from 173.5 to 166.9. The Expectations Index – based on consumers’ short-term outlook for income, business and labor market conditions – increased from 94.5 last month to 97.9 this month.

“Consumer confidence declined for a fourth consecutive month, driven by a softening in consumers’ assessment of current business and employment conditions,” said Lynn Franco, Senior Director of Economic Indicators at The Conference Board. “The decline in the Present Situation Index suggests that economic growth in the final quarter of 2019 will remain weak. However...

Nielsen: New Shoppers and Nuanced Category Sales will Drive Holiday Shopping 

This holiday season is one of extremes—featuring both amplified challenges and opportunities for every retailer and brand. The challenges are plain to see: A later-than-usual Thanksgiving means fewer post-feast shopper moments, and a heightened omnichannel chess match around an array of expedited, reduced-cost and free delivery models raises the stakes across the board.

But the omnichannel landscape is far from settled, no matter which lens you view it through. With consumers demonstrating disloyalty at historic levels, and with still significant untapped growth in the online space, retailers and manufacturers across the consumer packaged goods (CPG) landscape have...

Half of Holiday Shoppers Have Already Started

More than half of consumers have already started their holiday shopping and nearly a quarter of purchases have already been made, according to the annual survey released today by the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics.

“This is further evidence that the holiday season has grown far beyond the period between Thanksgiving and Christmas,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “Thanksgiving is still a hallmark of the season, and there’s billions of dollars in shopping still to come. But many consumers have already been shopping for weeks, and retailers are increasingly adapting to that.”

The survey found 56 percent of consumers asked during the first week of November had already begun their holiday shopping, about the same as...

Packaged Facts: Food E-Commerce Sales will Increase 32% Annually

Online sales of food and beverages in the United States reached $17 billion in 2018, making the U.S. the second largest food e-commerce market in the world with 15% of global sales, according to U.S. Grocery Market Focus: The Amazon Food Shopper, 2nd Edition, a new report by market research firm Packaged Facts.

Through 2023, food e-commerce sales in the U.S. are forecast to increase 32% per year. As the availability of online grocery shopping expands and consumers begin to embrace online shopping for its convenience compared to shopping in-store, sales are expected to rise dramatically.

"This is undoubtedly a market that is ripe for...

Nielsen: 7 Important Factors that will Shape the Future of Convenience Retail 

Across the U.S. retail landscape, we believe convenience stores will grow faster than all other offline channels over the next five years, reflecting the hyper focus consumers are putting on expediency. Convenience stores, however, are no longer just competing against other convenience store players. Channels are blurring and C-stores now compete with an array of players that include: quick serve restaurants, smaller formats of grocery and mass and drugstores that are increasingly focusing efforts on fresh and fresh prepared/grab-and-go offerings. Additionally, digital transformation and the consumer’s growing desire for frictionless retail has raised the bar for convenience retailers and their approach to technology adoption.

As a new decade of convenience retail unfolds, these are seven important factors that will shape the future of the convenience industry as we know it...

Technomic: Brands Must Differentiate to Stay Ahead as Competition for Breakfast Heats Up

As more players fight for share, breakfast wars are intensifying. Technomic’s 2019 Breakfast Consumer Trend Report takes a look at what brands can do to stay ahead of competition, such as adapting to off-premise trends by way of enhancing ordering amenities, updating menus with bold flavor innovation and adding healthier options. Convenience should also be a big focus, including for weekend occasions.

“Moving forward, brands must differentiate themselves from competitors to drive customer loyalty,” explains Anne Mills, senior manager of consumer insights at Technomic. “Adapting off-premise capabilities and creating innovative menus to meet consumers’ increasing needs for...

October Retail Sales Grew 4.2 Percent Over Last Year

Retail sales in October increased 0.2 percent seasonally adjusted over September and were up 4.2 percent unadjusted year-over-year, the National Retail Federation said.

“Despite the gradual slowdown in the U.S. economy, consumers are in a good place and October’s retail sales are a step forward into the all-important holiday season,” NRF Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz said. “Uncertainty around trade policy has impacted consumer sentiment recently but ongoing job growth, low interest rates, low inflation and the stock market hitting record highs provide support for consumer spending.”

October’s results make up for most of the 0.3 percent month-over-month decline seen in September and build on September’s year-over-year increase of...

Packaged Facts: Consumer Use of Restaurant Coupons

Though overall use of coupons is down since 2009, consumer use and redemption of restaurant coupons is up by five percentage points, to about a third of U.S. adults, according to Eating Trends: Restaurant Use, the fourth study in a five report Eating Trends series by market research firm Packaged Facts.

Restaurant coupons have been given a boost by instant, digital, and online/app point-of-sales use through newer delivery services—this is on top of longstanding restaurant coupon use for fast-food pizza chains (including delivery or take-out) or other fast-food chains (including for drive-through).

These services have helped diversify the range of eating establishments and the range of...

Deloitte Study: The Future of Fresh

Key takeaways

• Over the last two years, two-thirds of consumers increased spending on the fresh food category.
• Over 60% of consumers spend up to 30% of their average monthly grocery budget on this category.
• Price is one of the most important considerations of fresh food purchases, with 92% of consumers citing cost as an important aspect in their purchasing decisions.
• Eighty percent of consumers actively seek healthier versions of the food they purchase and 77% avoid preservatives and chemicals in their food.
  When purchasing perishables, 58% of consumers actively consider sustainability aspects, such as local sourcing, recyclable packaging and water neutrality.

Why this matters

To gain deeper insight into fresh food consumers as well as fresh food manufacturers and retailers, Deloitte's "Future of Fresh" study surveyed 2,000 consumers and 153 fresh food industry executives. The survey provides key insights into...

NPD Group Releases Report on Eating Patterns in America 

A burger has held the crown as the top food ordered at U.S. restaurants for decades, but this year that burger may well be a plant-based burger, according to this year’s edition of The NPD Group’s Eating Patterns in America, which is an annual compilation of the company’s daily tracking of U.S. consumption behavior. U.S. consumers may appear to be creatures of habit in their eating patterns but the foods they eat today have a modern twist that is influenced by a host of factors like ethnicity, age/generational group, and health/social consciousness.

“For 34 years The NPD Group has been tracking eating patterns in America and from a topline view many of the same foods are being consumed today as they were...

Technomic’s Take: 2020 Canada Trends

Chillier weather and holidays on the horizon signify a special time for Technomic: the coming year’s foodservice trend predictions. Our 2020 trends—which touch on menu, operations and labour—reflect today’s biggest cultural, governmental and consumer shifts impacting macro industry trends. Operators and suppliers need to understand how and why macro trends such as health, sustainability, technology and employee engagement are changing in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive foodservice arena. Read ahead for Technomic’s expert predictions of the trends that will have the greatest impressions on foodservice in 2020.

Marine Eats

Operators will shine a light on aquatic-based ingredients in a plethora of new ways. Not only will restaurants continue to highlight less familiar seaweeds, algae and sea plants, including...

What’s Next for Amazon: Expanding AmazonFresh Beyond Online Grocery and into Brick-and-Mortar Stores

Dropping monthly fees associated with AmazonFresh and instead making it a free benefit for Prime members is not just about reenergizing Amazon’s online grocery service. It suggests that Amazon intends to use the brand to grow beyond the limitations imposed by Whole Foods-Prime Now relationship.

Behind the scenes, Amazon has clearly been trying to figure out how to balance AmazonFresh and Prime Now, its 1-2 hour delivery service. Since acquiring Whole Foods in 2017, Amazon seems to have given Prime Now more attention, leveraging...

Whole Foods Market and Amazon Bring Back Popular Turkey Deals

Starting on Wednesday, Amazon and Whole Foods Market will offer special savings on organic and classic turkeys in celebration of Thanksgiving. All customers can choose from select organic ($3.49/lb) and classic turkeys ($2.49/lb), and Prime members will save even more on turkeys ($2.99/lb for organic and $1.99/lb for classic).

All turkeys sold at Whole Foods Market must meet the grocer’s strict quality standards, including no antibiotics ever, no animal by-products in their feed, and animal welfare audits by third-party certifier programs like Global Animal Partnership. The turkey offer runs from Nov. 13 through Nov. 28 while supplies last.

“We know our customers care about where their food comes from, and our turkeys meet some of the highest quality standards in the grocery industry. We are excited to...

ResearchAndMarkets: Meat Alternatives Market to Grow Globally 

Given the interest in plant-based food and rising number of flexitarians that are looking to reduce meat consumption, there is an ever-growing demand for meat alternatives that can offer texture, flavor, and nutritional profile similar to meat products. Companies are exploring the use of emerging protein sources such as pea protein, chickpea, and other legumes, algae, and mycoprotein for the production of meat substitutes to mimic the mouthfeel and cooking behavior of meat or poultry products.

Pea-based meat substitute products are expected to witness double-digit growth over the 2019-2023 forecast period because of the rising demand for soy-free, non-GMO ingredients, especially in Western markets. Frozen meat alternatives are the dominant product category, but...

National Restaurant Association Unveils its Restaurant Industry 2030 Report

Today the National Restaurant Association, in partnership with American Express and Nestlé Professional, released its 10-year outlook report on the projected state of the restaurant industry in 2030. The report, "Restaurant Industry 2030: Actionable Insights for the Future," examines the key indicators shaping the future of the industry, identifies the most and least likely developments over the upcoming decade, and considers possible disrupters outside the industry that could transform it. The findings are based on input from a variety of restaurant sector experts, futurists, and government statistics.

Key economic projections for 2030 include...

Nielsen Releases Retail Trends for 2020 and Beyond

When considering consumers' demands and combining them with advances in technology, it comes as no surprise that 2020 will represent an inflection point for trust and transparency, causing successful manufacturers and retailers to leverage tools such as artificial intelligence to put consumer concerns first. Nielsen has peered into the future for U.S. manufacturers and retailers, claiming that the next retail revolution is on the horizon, forever shifting how consumers will search for and purchase items.

According to Nielsen, consumers will place increased pressure on manufacturers to produce locally, import fewer goods, and keep costs down. The report states that 48% of consumers feel that local ingredients, manufacturing, or...

Technomic: Off-Premise Occasions Impact Consumers Desire to Try New Flavors 

While consumer demand for flavor innovation is high, Technomic’s 2019 Flavor Consumer Trend Report reveals that consumers’ willingness to try new flavors varies by dining occasion. Consumers are less likely to experiment with flavors when ordering delivery rather than dine-in or takeout. Opportunity exists in offering foods exclusive to specific order formats, such as dine-in or delivery-only menus or free delivery promotions for specific menu items.

“Consumers are already hesitant to pay for something they might not like when trying new dishes, and the added cost of delivery simply exacerbates this concern,” explains Charles Winship, manager at Technomic. “Operators may consider bringing more familiar ingredients and...

Social Media Driving Impressive Halloween Spending

U.S. consumers are using social media to find Halloween inspiration and it is driving near-record spending for the holiday in 2019.

According to the National Retail Federation’s annual survey, shoppers will spend an average of $86.27 on Halloween, just slightly below last year’s record of $86.79. In total that works out to $8.8 billion. That total marks the third-highest mark in the survey’s 15-year industry.

“Spending hasn’t changed much over the past few years, but we are seeing a noticeable increase in...

The Consumer Confidence Index Edged Down in October

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index decreased marginally in October, following a decline in September. The Index now stands at 125.9 (1985=100), down from 126.3 in September. The Present Situation Index – based on consumers’ assessment of current business and labor market conditions – increased from 170.6 to 172.3. The Expectations Index – based on consumers’ short-term outlook for income, business and labor market conditions – declined from 96.8 last month to 94.9 this month.

“Consumer confidence was relatively flat in October, following a decrease in September,” said Lynn Franco, Senior Director of Economic Indicators at The Conference Board. “The Present Situation Index improved, but Expectations weakened slightly as consumers expressed some concerns about business conditions and...

Plant-Based Foods: Will They Stay or Will They Go?

The rapid growth of plant-based foods at retail and on restaurant menus has many in the food and foodservice industries questioning if the interest in plant-based food is a passing fad or a long-term trend. A new study by The NPD Group addresses this question and finds that the answer depends on the consumer and their reasons for consuming plant-based foods in the first place.

Millennials, born 1981-1996, are the top consumers of plant-based meat alternatives, finds the NPD study, The Future of Plant-based Snapshot. This generational group has adopted plant-based meat alternatives as a way to indulge sensibly while addressing their long-term health goals and animal treatment concerns. Gen Xers, born 1965-1980, are also a core consumer group of plant-based meat alternatives, and...

Technomic’s Take: 7 Hot Trends to Watch for 2020

Everything’s connected.

That’s the central theme that emerged as we at Technomic considered the patterns, hurdles and opportunities that are poised to affect the restaurant and foodservice industry as we head into 2020.

While some noteworthy trends were expected and others have turned out to be a bit more surprising, common threads of connection among these trends were revealed during our research.

Ever-shifting demands for health and flavor innovation are guiding menus toward new sustainably grown and sourced ingredients, which connects to an elevated prioritization around waste reduction—both on the menu and in back of the house. But this heightened sense of...

TripAdvisor Reveals Diners' Favorite Restaurants with 2019 Travelers' Choice Awards

TripAdvisor, the world's largest travel platform, today announced the winners of its annual Travelers' Choice Awards for Restaurants. Based on a full year of TripAdvisor reviews, these restaurants were consistently given high ratings and praise by diners across the globe.

This year, the awards recognize 584 total restaurants globally and 75 U.S. restaurants in the categories of Fine Dining, Everyday Dining and Fast Casual. Award winners were determined by factoring in the quantity and quality of reviews, gathered over a 12-month period. Daniel in New York City has been awarded the top U.S. Fine Dining spot this year, reclaiming...

Whole Foods Market Predicts Top 10 Food Trends For 2020

Today, Whole Foods Market’s global buyers and experts revealed the most anticipated and innovative food trends for 2020 in the retailer’s fifth annual trends predictions announcement. Regenerative agriculture, West African foods, meat-plant blends and new varieties of flour are among the food influences and movements expected to take off in the next year.

Each year, more than 50 Whole Foods Market team members including local foragers, regional and global buyers and culinary experts thoughtfully compile the report based on decades of experience and expertise in product sourcing, studying...

Ready or Not, Here Comes the 2019 Holiday Shopping Season

Changing Consumer Attitudes Could Change the Game for Retail, Reports NPD

Consumers are split in their attitudes about holiday shopping. According to the 2019 Holiday Purchase Intentions Survey from The NPD Group, most consumers in the U.S. are looking forward to this holiday season, and see the holidays as a break from everything happening in the world – half even say going out shopping puts them in the holiday spirit. But almost half of consumers that said they would rather plan an outing with family or friends than exchange gifts – more than last year. More consumers also said they think preparing for the holidays may not be worth all of the work entailed.

“There is more of a divide in consumer sentiment heading into this holiday season than we have seen in years,” said Marshal Cohen, chief industry advisor, The NPD Group. “There are fewer consumers planning on doing what they did last year, which means retail needs to be prepared to think differently as well...

Post-Summer Back to the Grind Kept U.S. Restaurant Transactions Flat in September

The post-summer back to business and school as usual kept U.S. restaurant transactions flat in September compared to year ago, reports The NPD Group. The month started out with transactions up but flattened as the month went on, according to NPD’s CREST Performance Alerts, which provides a rapid weekly view of chain-specific transactions and share trends for 73 quick service, fast casual, midscale, and casual dining chains.

Transactions at quick service restaurant (QSR) chains, which represent the bulk of industry transactions, were flat in September compared to year ago. While the full service segments of casual dining and...

Online Grocery Shows Global Growth 

According to ResearchandMarkets, the online grocery market is projected to grow by $354.2 billion, with the potential to grow at over 17.4%. The shifting dynamics supporting this growth makes it critical for businesses in this space to keep abreast of the changing pulse of the market. Poised to reach over $524.5 billion by the year 2025, online grocery will bring in gains adding significant momentum to global growth.

The United States is expected to maintain an 18.7% growth momentum. In Europe, Germany is projected to add over $13.6 billion to the region's size and clout in the next...

Mintel: Affluent Brits Flock to Chicken Shops and Restaurants as Sales Increase

Well-heeled Brits are joining the nation’s chicken shop obsession, according to latest research from Mintel. Over the last year alone, the number of affluent Brits visiting chicken outlets and restaurants has shot up from 40% in 2018 to 45% in 2019.

Meanwhile, those who have stable household finances are also now more likely to be enjoying the nation’s chicken shops and restaurants. Almost half (47%) of those describing their financial situation as ‘OK’ visited a chicken shop in 2019, compared to 41% a year earlier. This comes as the chicken segment has seen some worse-off consumers exiting the market. The number of Brits with a challenging financial situation visiting chicken shops dropped from...

Mintel: Organic Food and Drink Products Gain Popularity 

According to Mintel Global New Products Database, in the last 10 years, the total number of new food and drink product launches globally with an organic claim has risen from 6% to 10% between August 2009 and July 2019.

Mintel research finds that Europe is leading the way in terms of organic food and drink innovation, with almost a fifth of all food and drink products launched in Europe carrying an organic claim. In the 10 years to July 2019, the number of European food and drink launches with an organic claim has shot up from 9% to 17%, satisfying Europe’s hunger for organics. Current leading innovators include...

Impossible Burger Sales Skyrocket at Retail Debut 

After its highly anticipated retail debut, the Impossible Burger remains the number one item sold at grocery stores on the East and West coasts where the product is offered. The flagship product from Impossible Foods made its worldwide debut in grocery stores on September 20th at all outlets of Gelson's Markets in Southern California. Since its launch, Gelson’s has sold more Impossible Burgers than all types of ground beef, based on both revenue and total number of pounds sold. On September 26th, the Impossible Burger became available in all 100 outlets of Wegmans on the East coast, including seven states and two Fairway locations in New York City. The Impossible Burger became the number one single item sold in the meat department at Fairway's two Manhattan locations.

Also, during the product's first full weekend on stores shelves in Southern California, the Impossible Burger outsold by more than...

McMaster University Study says No Need to Cut Down on Red Meat 

A major study led by researchers at McMaster and Dalhousie universities has found that cutting back on red and processed meat has little impact on health. A panel of international scientists systematically reviewed the evidence and have recommended that most adults should continue to eat their current levels of meat. The researchers performed four systematic reviews focused on randomized controlled trials and observational studies looking at the impact of red meat and processed meat consumption on cardiometabolic and cancer outcomes. In one review of 12 trials with 54,000 people, the researchers did not find a statistically significant correlation between...

MarketsandMarkets: Plant-Based Protein Market Worth $40.6 Billion by 2025

According to MarketsandMarkets, the plant-based protein market is currently estimated at $18.5 billion, and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 14% by 2025. This projection totals a value of $40.6 billion by 2025. As demand for plant-based protein products increases, food and beverage manufacturers will be driven to create such products.

During the forecast period, the pea segment is expected to be the fastest growing in the alternative protein market. Pea protein is gaining popularity among plant-based protein manufacturers at a global level due to...

Reports and Data: Soy Protein Ingredients Market to Reach $16.6 Billion by 2026

According to Reports and Data, the global soy protein ingredients market was valued at $9.7 billion in 2018, and is expected to reach $16.6 billion by the year 2026. This increase would be a compound annual growth rate of 6.9%. The consumer base of the soy protein ingredient market has increased over the years, with a rise in the number of health-conscious consumers. The soy protein ingredients market is undergoing various technological advancements. Mainly used for the production of nutrition bars, soy proteins are meeting the needs of the bar manufacturing industry through the development of various shapes, sizes, hardness, and isolates. With the changing needs of the manufacturers in the industry, processes are expected to improve.

Available in a wide range of products, soybeans are one of the few alternative proteins containing all essential amino acids. Familiar food preparations include products such as tofu, soymilk, and tempeh. Cereal blends are another product, consisting of...

Mintel: Nearly Three in 10 Americans say Technology is Ruining the Hospitality Industry

Technology plays a prominent role in nearly every aspect of US consumers’ lives and the dining out experience is no exception. But it seems that for some Americans, the spread of mobile, digital and artificial intelligence (AI) technology is unwanted as new research from Mintel reveals that 28% of US consumers agree that technology is ruining hospitality.

However, it may be the fear of the unknown that’s influencing these perceptions as a large minority of Americans have not only never used certain types of technology when dining out, but they are not interested in trying them. For example, two in five consumers have not used and are not interested in trying a restaurant mobile app (44%) or kiosk (40%) to pay. Nearly half (48%) of diners have not used and are not interested in trying...

The Consumer Confidence Index Declined in September

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index decreased in September, following a slight decline in August. The Index now stands at 125.1 (1985=100), down from 134.2 in August. The Present Situation Index – based on consumers’ assessment of current business and labor market conditions – decreased from 176.0 to 169.0. The Expectations Index – based on consumers’ short-term outlook for income, business and labor market conditions – declined from 106.4 last month to 95.8 this month.

“Consumer confidence declined in September, following a moderate decrease in August,” said Lynn Franco, Senior Director of Economic Indicators at The Conference Board. “Consumers were less positive in their assessment of current conditions and their expectations regarding the short-term outlook also weakened. The escalation in trade and tariff tensions in late August appears to have rattled consumers. However, this pattern of...

Cultured Meat Market Forecast to Grow by 2032

According to MarketsandMarkets, the cultured meat market size is estimated to be valued at $214 million by 2025, and projected to reach $593 million by 2032. This projection will lead to a compound annual growth rate of 15.7% from 2025 to 2032. The rising consumption of meat along with increasing demand for nutritional meat are a few of the key factors driving the growth of the industry. When considering the categories of poultry, beef, seafood, pork, and duck, the poultry segment is projected to witness the fastest growth during the forecast. This is due to the availability of poultry when compared to other meat sources such as beef, and also the consumer preference for poultry and poultry products.

The increasing popularity of poultry products in many quick service restaurants has encouraged manufacturers to develop innovative alternative products to meet consumer demand. Additionally, the rising demand for chicken, due to...

The Golden Growth Opportunity for U.S. Drugstores 

The self-care movement is playing a key role in reshaping health care in a way that drug store retailers and manufacturers can’t afford to ignore. Recent data from The Conference Board Global Consumer Confidence Survey, in collaboration with Nielsen, shows that 18% of Americans reported health as a top concern, next only to the economy (22%) and immigration (19%). With the threat of rising health care costs, consumers are prioritizing wellness and taking a more active role in managing their own health.

Today’s health-minded consumers are looking beyond medicine to manage their health—and opting for healthier food is a big part of this mindset. Increasingly for drugstores, the way to consumer wallets is through their diet. However, Nielsen’s 2019 Health Care study showed that only 24% of consumers are satisfied with the health food selection in drugstores, compared with 75% who expressed satisfaction of...

Shop on Amazon, Pay in Cash

Amazon is making it even easier for customers to pay with cash. Amazon PayCode, already available in 19 countries around the world, launches today in the U.S. and allows customers to choose Amazon PayCode at checkout and then pay for their purchase in cash at one of 15,000 Western Union locations. Items ship once customers pay for their purchase in person at a participating Western Union location. Amazon PayCode will be rolling out to customers over the coming weeks.

Separately, Amazon Cash, which enables customers to load cash into their Amazon Balance for making online Amazon purchases, is now available in over 100,000 cash-loading locations nationwide. Customers in the U.S. who prefer to use cash are now...

Technomic: Operators Must Showcase Value and Innovation to Gain Share of Pasta and Noodle Occasions

Consumption of pasta and noodle dishes in Canada is high but skews significantly toward at-home occasions, according to Technomic’s new 2019 Canadian Pasta Consumer Trend Report. In order to drive sales, operators should offer a unique draw for consumers that they won’t be able to find elsewhere.

“Operators need to convey that their pasta and noodle dishes are worth the price of dining out and offer a meal that simply can’t be replicated at home,” explains Charles Winship, manager of consumer insights at Technomic. “Authentic preparations, high-quality ingredients and innovative flavour profiles can all help elevate dishes, improving value perceptions.”

Key takeaways from the report include...

Fresh and Focused: The U.S. Retailer Path to Winning Brick and Mortar

Despite the explosion in online shopping in the U.S., physical stores haven’t gone by the wayside. Why? In a word: fresh.

Although e-commerce represents just 4% of grocery sales today, it accounts for nearly one-third of total growth. And Americans are increasingly heading online to shop for nonperishables, household items and pet products, making the concept of stock up grocery trips a thing of the past for many shoppers.

Yet the fresh departments (bakery, deli, meat, produce and seafood) still lure people into physical stores; in fact, online grocery shoppers spend 1.5% more in-store on fresh food than the average consumer does. As more category sales continue to...

US Foods Delivers a World of Authentic, Global Flavors with Fall Scoop 2019

US Foods Holding Corp. announced today the launch of Fall Scoop 2019, which focuses on “Global Discovery Made Easy” and showcases products with Latin American, Asian and Middle Eastern influences. With 54 percent of consumers saying they have gone out of their way to try a novel global food, today’s diners are hungry to explore new flavors from all over the world.1

To help restaurant operators stay competitive and meet this growing demand, US Foods collaborated with nationally recognized chefs, Chef Diana Dávila, Chef Thai Dang and Chef Sameh Wadi to advise on many of the...

NPD Group: Consumers Consider the Environment when Making Food and Beverage Decisions

Sustainability, which by definition is the avoidance of the depletion of natural resources in order to maintain an ecological balance, is a much talked about topic today and is used in a broader sense to mean environmental consciousness or earth-friendly. In the food and beverage and foodservice sectors, many grocers, food manufacturers, and restaurant operators are initiating sustainability efforts as socially responsible corporate citizens and to support consumer interests. Nine percent of adults consider the environment as a top factor when making food and beverage purchase decisions, and it’s young adults, ages 18-44 years old, who are most likely to feel this way, finds The NPD Group.

When making food and beverage purchase decisions based on the environment, packaging is most visible to consumers. One in ten U.S. adults, or roughly 20 million consumers, said that they have switched to a different food or beverage brand because...

Packaged Facts: Alternative Proteins Budding with Organic and Clean Label Food Shoppers

Though the majority of Americans eat meat, trends throughout 2019—from the launch of Burger King's Impossible Whopper to skyrocketing shares of Beyond Meat's blockbuster IPO—hint at the multi-billion dollar potential impact of plant-based products on the nation's food and beverage market.

According to The Organic and Clean Label Food Shopper, 2nd Edition, a brand new report by market research firm Packaged Facts, consumers are increasingly more adventurous with what they eat and more consider themselves flexitarian than in the past. Packaged Facts reveals that only 6% of Baby Boomers claim to eat flexitarian diets, while 13% of Generation Z considers themselves flexitarian, showing the trend is...

NPD Group: U.S. Restaurant Cash Registers Rang More in August

Amidst a chicken sandwich war, taking advantage of the last remaining days of summer vacation, and the want of having someone else do the cooking, consumers made more purchases at U.S. restaurants in August than they did the year before, reports The NPD Group. Quick service restaurants (QSRs) were the primary beneficiaries of this consumer demand with same-store dollars up by 4.4 percent.

Restaurant transactions were positive for QSR chains throughout the month of August, according to NPD’s CREST Performance Alerts, which provides a rapid weekly view of chain-specific transactions and share trends for 73 quick service, fast casual, midscale chains, and casual dining chains. The full service segment of casual and midscale/family chains continued to be soft compared to...

Survey: Quality and Transparent Sourcing Drive Millennial Food Choices

Quality drives millennial food shopping, and they are willing to pay more for it, according to a new Whole Foods Market survey. Eighty percent of millennials value quality when it comes to food shopping, and nearly 70 percent are willing to spend more money on high quality foods.

These findings are part of a new survey released today that examines millennial food, health and grocery shopping preferences, which was conducted independently by YouGov on behalf of the retailer. The national online survey sampled 1,006 adults between the ages of 22 and 37 in the U.S.

Another trend that emerged is more informed purchasing decisions. A majority of millennials want to know where their food comes from and...

Technomic: Small Plates, Starters, and Sides Positioned to Gain Popularity

With consumers’ desire for innovation increasing and snacking becoming more of a habit, mealparts such as starters, small plates and sides are well-positioned to gain share of stomach. Technomic’s 2019 Starters, Small Plates & Sides Consumer Trend Report explores how these mealparts can help foodservice brands maximize existing opportunities and overcome potential challenges.

“Starters, small plates and sides are flexible menu offerings that provide the innovation consumers seek at a lower risk than larger menu items,” explains Anne Mills, senior manager of consumer insights at Technomic. “While the lower price points and smaller portions mean these mealparts are great platforms for experimentation, rising menu prices increase the risk. As prices rise, brands must work to maintain, if not boost, value perceptions through bolder innovation and...

How the Coffee Category Became a Hot Bed of Innovation for the U.S. Grocery Market 

Beyond the buzz created around the early release of Starbuck’s Pumpkin Spice Latte, there is something big brewing in the U.S. coffee market. American’s consumption habits are shifting across the beverage industry, and consumers are increasingly seeking their next caffeine fix from chilled, on-the-go coffee options over energy drinks and carbonated soft drinks.

Nielsen data shows that the ready-to-drink coffee category is hot. In fact, dollar sales within the latest 52 weeks (ending July 27, 2019) netted $3 billion, up 16% versus a year ago. And a steady stream of innovation is fueling...

Packaged Facts: 4 Ways Grocers can Improve Outreach to Affluent Food Shoppers

The food culture and buying habits of affluent food shoppers (the 42 million food shoppers in the U.S. with household incomes of $150,000 or more) cause them to have a disproportionate impact on the bottom line of brick-and-mortar supermarkets and grocery stores. Affluent food shoppers are more prone than other food shoppers to shy away from conventional shelf-stable packaged foods and are more likely to spend their money and time on buying and experiencing higher margin store perimeter products and services.

In the market research report Affluent Food Shoppers, Packaged Fact identifies four key ways that U.S. grocers can better attract and meet the needs of this important consumer segment...

Throughout the World, Convenience Stores Are a Rapidly Growing Venue for U.S. Red Meat

The desire for work-life balance and pre-packaged meals requiring little or no kitchen time is leading consumers around the world to a surprising new destination for breakfast, lunch and dinner: the neighborhood convenience store.

And we’re not just talking about beef jerky and pepperoni sticks.

Convenience stores are offering a wide selection of entrée and full meal options that are winning over customers and creating more demand for U.S. red meat. For every gourmet hot dog sold in a South Korean GS25 store, every bowl of beef noodle soup ladled from a 7-Eleven hot food counter in Taiwan and every pork sausage sandwich pulled from a shelf in a Mexican Oxxo outlet comes another trade opportunity for...

The Consumer Confidence Index Declined Marginally in August

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index® declined marginally in August, following July’s rebound. The Index now stands at 135.1 (1985=100), down from 135.8 in July. The Present Situation Index – based on consumers’ assessment of current business and labor market conditions – increased from 170.9 to 177.2. The Expectations Index – based on consumers’ short-term outlook for income, business and labor market conditions – declined from 112.4 last month to 107.0 this month.

“Consumer confidence was relatively unchanged in August, following July’s increase,” said Lynn Franco, Senior Director of Economic Indicators at The Conference Board. “Consumers’ assessment of current conditions improved further, and the Present Situation Index is now at its highest level in nearly 19 years (Nov. 2000, 179.7). Expectations cooled moderately, but overall remain strong. While other parts of the economy may show some weakening, consumers have remained confident and willing to spend. However, if the recent escalation in trade and tariff tensions persists, it could potentially dampen...

Aramark Gears Up for 2019 Back-to-School Season on College Campuses Across the Nation

As millions of college students prepare to return to campus to start the new school year, they’ll be looking for fresh, nutritious, on-trend food when they hit the books. Aramark, the award-winning food and facilities partner of more than 400 colleges and universities across the U.S., is ready to welcome back three million higher education students to campus, by introducing a new wave of offerings customized to the ever-changing needs of Gen Zers.

“Every year, our higher education team members elevate the student experience with custom campus solutions tailored for them,” said Jeff Gilliam, president of Aramark’s Higher Education business. “Our culinary team puts innovation first, to create healthy, fresh recipes that students love, and we’re excited for students to see...

Applegate Battles Lunchtime Boredom with Its “Lunching Awesome” Campaign

Sandwiches. Nearly half of us eat one every day. And no wonder. They’re fast, versatile–travel well and are a go-to Back to School lunch option for parents. With countless sandwich ingredient combinations to explore, no one should have to suffer from a blah lunch. No matter a person’s taste preferences or dietary restrictions, there’s an ultimate sandwich for everyone.

This back-to-school season, Applegate is battling lunch-making boredom with its “Lunching Awesome” campaign, sharing crave-able sandwich recipes and offering a simple sandwich guide that identifies the key components of a great sandwich.

Despite an endless amount of sandwich possibilities, many people make the same sandwich over and over again. And then, there are those who still haven’t found their ultimate sandwich. According to a recent survey conducted by Applegate...

Total U.S. Restaurant Visits in July Held Steady While Consumer Spending Increases

U.S. consumers visited restaurants this July at the same pace they did last July and consumer spending was up three percent compared to year ago, reports The NPD Group. Total U.S. traffic volume for commercial restaurants in the year ending June was 61 billion visits.

Industry bright spots this summer include quick service restaurant traffic gains and continued visit growth to fast casual restaurants, although increases are not as strong as in previous years, according to NPD’s ongoing foodservice market research. Digital orders, which include internet/mobile app and text message orders for carry out and delivery, are growing rapidly but still represent a small amount of traffic share. On premise dining is also realizing visit gains this summer.

NPD’s SalesTrack® Weekly, which is a national weekly same-store sales pulse of 60 participating brands representing over 113,000 QSR and full service locations, showed...

July Retail Sales Show Strong Gains

Retail sales were up 0.9 percent in July seasonally adjusted from June and up 5.6 percent unadjusted year-over-year, the National Retail Federation said today. The numbers exclude automobile dealers, gasoline stations and restaurants.

“July’s strong results are consistent with a confident consumer,” NRF Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz said. “Households are in good shape with spending and that should continue as long as the labor market remains healthy. But it’s important to remember that today’s data is looking backward at what was happening a month ago. The impact of volatile financial markets and increased trade tensions in recent weeks may put a wind of caution in consumer spending as...

Fast Food Ranked in Top 40% of All Industries in MBLM's Brand Intimacy Study

The fast food industry ranked sixth out of the 15 industries studied in MBLM's Brand Intimacy 2019 Study, which is the largest study of brands based on emotion. Brand Intimacy is defined as the emotional science that measures the bonds we form with the brands we use and love. Chick-fil-A rose to the #1 spot in fast food followed by Dunkin'. Starbucks dropped to third after ranking first for the previous two years. The top 10 for the industry was rounded out by: McDonald's, Taco Bell, Subway, Wendy's, Burger King, Chipotle and KFC.

Chick-Fil-A also ranked 10th in the overall industry. In addition to performing well in MBLM's study, the brand increased its revenue at a 15% annual rate from 2010 to 2018, while the industry as a whole only grew by 3.4%.1 In 2018, Chick-fil-A also reported more than $10 billion in revenue, its 51st consecutive year of sales growth.2 This correlates to the study findings, which revealed that...

Food And Beverage Industry Seen As Growth Market in U.S. Retail Real Estate Sector

A healthy appetite for food and beverage businesses continues to fuel significant growth in one of the hottest areas in the U.S. retail real estate sector, according to BBG, a leading due diligence commercial real estate firm.

In U.S. cities across the country, more restaurants, bars and grocery stores are opening or expanding operations to meet growing demand for these services, as a result of an ongoing demographic shift in how and where people live, work and play.

That has led to these businesses growing their share of total retail spending, from 24.3 percent during the past decade, compared with 22.7 percent prior to the 2007-2008 recession, according to one recent industry report. F&B sales now account for nearly...

U.S. Consumers’ Desire to Use Food as Medicine is Evidenced by Emerging Superfoods

While it is commonly understood that good nutrition promotes general health, consumers are becoming increasingly aware of how their food and beverage choices can help them manage and, in some cases, reverse certain medical conditions, according to health and wellness research by The NPD Group. NPD finds that about a quarter of U.S. adults are trying to manage a health or medical condition by making healthy food and beverage choices.

Younger adults, ages 18-24, are particularly interested in using foods to improve their health. Last year young adults chose foods and beverages with healthy profiles for 19 percent of their meals and in-between snacks. For example, nine percent of adults say a top nutrition goal is protecting brain health and when asked about foods that promote brain health, young adults were 45 percent more likely to...

Technomic: Beverage Category Ripe with Opportunity 

Beverages have always played a significant role in foodservice and the category is continuously evolving. Technomic’s recently released Away-from-Home Beverage Study covers how consumer demands and business conditions have shifted within the past few years.

“Beverage growth has outpaced that of foodservice within the past few years thanks to innovative options such as nitro coffee, plant-based milks and other alternative beverages entering this space,” explains David Henkes, principal at Technomic. “Although challenges like third-party delivery are encroaching on beverage occasions, the category has a lot of opportunities available through offering a wide variety of innovative beverage options to their guests.”

Key takeaways from the report include...

Nielsen: Meet the New "Meat" Eater

Meat alternatives have made a big splash in consumer packaged goods (CPG), and sales are on the rise. But are manufacturers and retailers doing enough to educate consumers in this space? Getting consumers to try trendy plant-based foods is one thing, but encouraging long-term adoption and lifestyle change is another.

Today’s shoppers are, in many cases, omnivores, but they’re playing the field when it comes to exploring meat alternatives in their search for dietary protein. In fact, protein-seeking consumers are more likely than ever to consider all the options available to them. Nielsen Homescan consumer purchase metrics indicate that 98% of meat alternative buyers in America also purchase meat products. Conversely, 21% of U.S. meat buyers, also purchase...

Innovation is Bringing New Excitement to the Burger Category in Canada

More Canadians today than a year ago say they’re ordering burgers from foodservice at least once a month, and the growth of the LSR burger category is outpacing the industry. In the 2019 Canadian Burger Consumer Trend Report, Technomic dives into the factors at play, including innovations such as plant-based burgers and unique flavour profiles.

“The bigger the burger category gets, the more important it is that operators maintain points of differentiation,” explains Charles Winship, manager of consumer insights at Technomic. “Responding to demands for plant-based options as well as spicier, bolder flavours will be critical as brands look to offer burgers that truly stand out.”

Key takeaways from the report include...

Demand Rises for Groceries Online 

Today, there is hardly any field or area where technological advancements have not been made. In the retail sector, grocery shopping is expanding technologically. In the past, consumers generally grocery shopped at nearby supermarkets or convenience stores. However, with the increasing development of the internet and smartphones, online grocery shopping has gained popularity in recent years.

According to Research and Markets, grocery stores can be broadly categorized into three formats: small format, large format, and electronic/online. Online grocery shopping is a recent trend that has developed as a form of e-commerce. These stores can be in the form of brick-and-mortar supermarkets or...

U.S. Consumers Buy Chicken for Versatility, Value, Variety

Chicken purchasers cite more positive attributes than purchasers of beef, pork, fish and plant-based meat proteins, according to new research presented today at the 2019 Chicken Marketing Summit.

The National Chicken Council (NCC) and WATT Global Media presented the results of a study that explored the drivers for grocery purchases of chicken compared to other meat and plant-based proteins. IRI provided supporting data from its retail databases. The study was commissioned by the NCC and conducted online by IRI July 1-10, 2019, among 780 adults. Funding was provided by Elanco, WATT Global Media, NCC and Meyn.

Chicken Checks More Boxes

Buyers were asked about attributes in eight categories: taste, health, versatility, family appeal, value for...

Packaged Facts: Retail Breakfast Trends Focus on Health-Related Product Claims and Positioning

Health and wellness trends have significant impact on consumer attitudes and behaviors when shopping for food and beverages, according to market research firm Packaged Facts in the report Breakfast: Retail Product Trends and Opportunities in the U.S., 2nd Edition. The dilemma is that health is a subjective term. This means there is a range of desired product attributes that consumers seek out to fit within their perspective of what's healthy.

While low calorie and low carb were at one time benchmarks for health food, attention has shifted to a greater focus on low/no sugar or low/no added sugars. Sugar is an ingredient in many packaged breakfast foods, especially cereal and breakfast pastries.

Health trends are moving away from being diet-focused in favor of adopting a healthy lifestyle. With increased knowledge of food sourcing and...

Technomic: Shifting Definitions of Value Increasingly Include Food Quality and Service

Value remains a vital component in the path to purchase, with 76% of consumers saying it’s a very important factor when deciding where to dine. Technomic’s 2019 Value & Pricing Consumer Trend Report also reveals that roughly one-quarter of consumers say their definition of value has changed over the past two years, with food quality and service, in particular, playing an increasing role in the value proposition.

“As definitions of value continue to evolve, operators will need to renew their focus on meeting, if not exceeding, expectations across all aspects of the value equation—food quality, price, service and atmosphere,” explains Bret Yonke, manager of consumer insights at Technomic. “Moving forward, look for high-traffic, high-volume segments like fast food to further experiment with subscription models, such as...