Retail Industry Insights

Escalating food prices have been top of mind for shoppers and retailers alike during the past several months, and key categories like private brands and organics are seeing the impact of this period of inflation.

Expanding the diversity of online shopping retailers is a key focus of the USDA and their nutrition security goal to provide better access to affordable, safe, and healthy foods.

With the CPI for other consumer goods expected, it is increasingly more important — and challenging — for consumers to be prudent in grocery store purchases. Using their expertise and meal planning experience, retail dietitians can help shoppers find feasible strategies for managing their food budget.

As more consumers embrace the habit of home meal preparation, it’s no surprise that meal planning assistance is in high demand. While some of your shoppers may have the discipline to scan their pantry and refrigerator weekly, shop with intention and plan creative menus, the vast majority need help – and there’s an app for that.

While dietitians always promote foods first, vitamins and supplements can be beneficial to health and wellbeing as well as a valuable profit center to the retail store. And who hasn’t seen that shopper walking up and down the supplement aisles trying to figure out what to buy?

In October, the International Floral and Produce Association (IFPA) held their annual meeting live and in person in Orlando. Their show floor is one all dietitians wish they’d see at FNCE and provided much ideation for retail dietitians and healthy living programs and promotions. Click the attached document to learn more.

Produce is an absolute powerhouse in grocery, and even in light of inflation, it still commands about 30% of total fresh sales. Because produce is such a trip magnet, more than half of the time someone goes to the grocery store for anything, they are purchasing something from the produce section.

Can I eat fruit if I have diabetes? Should I go low carb? Will I ever be able to eat and enjoy dessert?  I asked myself these same questions while shopping at the supermarket for the first time after being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. It took me around three hours to shop, and I left confused and overwhelmed. 

November is here and your stores are focused on meeting the holiday needs of shoppers.

Unless you’re living under a rock somewhere, you already know that Kroger is buying Albertsons for over $24 billion. This acquisition is already coming under close scrutiny from the Feds and in less than a week since the announcement, the Senate has formed a subcommittee to determine if there any anti-trust violations.