Trends

Although the food retail environment is constantly changing and shopping behaviors evolving, one thing remains: the importance of customer service.

NCA's exclusive 2013 custom shopper research of more than 1,500 consumers explores shopping attitudes, behaviors, and in-store experience as well as how consumers balance the enjoyment of confections with their pursuit of healthy lifestyles.

We’ve wrapped up our survey and are ready to share what we’ve learned!

Over the past several years, retail dietitians have become experts at communicating solutions for healthy eating on a budget. Will this continue to be an important consumer interest in 2013?

Although seafood consumption is on the decline, there are several factors working in seafood’s favor, positioning this protein for growth in 2013. But in order for retailers to seize the opportunity, they must demonstrate seafood’s value to the customer.

Several recent reports have highlighted a shifting consumer mindset—one that's no longer focused on dieting and what's NOT in food (i.e.,calorie free, low calorie). This represents a distinct change and one that dietitians have been working toward for a long time.

Fewer women are dieting, according to a new study from NPD Group. NPD has been tracking Americans' dieting habits for three decades, and this most recent study finds dieting to be on the decline, with women leading the trend.

Changes are afoot in the meat department as consumption continues to decline and consumers seek solutions that meet their demands for price, health, and convenience.  With an understanding of trends and key drivers, retail dietitians can work collaboratively with their meat departments to build programs that educate consumers while supporting sales.

When asked how to improve their primary supermarket, "local foods" came in second only to savings. As a trend that continues to grow and mature, “local foods” are becoming increasingly relevant to the majority of customers.

Daymon Worldwide and The Hartman Group have released a new report, Reframing Retail Through the Lens of a Changing Food Culture, highlighting important shifts in the way consumers eat, shop, and cook.  Insights from this report will help retail dietitians better understand the current consumer mindset so they can tailor programs and communications to fit their customers' thinking and shopping behavior.