Retail Industry Insights

As the U.S. population grows older, there is an increasing number of both individuals and caregivers who face multiple challenges including grocery shopping and food preparation.

Could pop-up grocery stores be the next venue for consumers to discover new products within an exciting retail atmosphere? One retailer, Pop Up Grocer, is currently setting up temporary locations and a new permanent store in New York City. These shopping destinations feature not only shelf stable and refrigerated product discoveries, but bright colors and entertainment all in about 1,000 square feet. Traditional retailers can learn from this new competition, especially in an era where shoppers are looking for personalization and fun.  Consider these possible retail RDN activations:

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index (CPI) data for May 2022, prices for food-at-home has jumped about 12% over the past 12 months, the largest 12-month increase in 43 years. As a result of these increases, approximately 95% of US households said they are making changes to purchasing habits (Numerator, 2022) such as shifting where they shop and what they are buying. Retail RDNs can add significant value to their retailer by understanding these key shopping habit changes.

Consumers are now seeking health information and care that is convenient, personalized and meets them where they are. Some individuals may also face the challenge of in-person physician visits, or want to be proactive about their health by being aware of diagnostic results before engaging with a health care provider.

This year’s Food and Health Survey marks the 17th time the International Food Information Council (IFIC) has surveyed American consumers to understand their perceptions, beliefs, and behaviors around food and food purchasing decisions. Below are some of the compelling findings retail dietitians may use to inform their work with consumers.

Meal planning is ever-trending among consumers. Clearly, there is a desire to simplify daily decision-making around food. As a retail dietitian, you turn dietary goals into action. Retail RDs are key providers of guidance and real-world strategies that enable shoppers to make the jump more easily from selecting healthy foods to eating healthy meals.

While many shoppers are aware of the nutritional benefits of pears, some may shy away from purchasing because they don’t know the intricacies about how and when to enjoy them. With ten varieties of USA Pears, there is almost always a pear in season each with its own distinctive color, flavor, texture, and ideal usage occasions. The information below can help you create in-store merchandising displays helping shoppers choose the right pear, provide insights for e-commerce shoppers, or be used for livestreams and social posts.

Agriculture is at the center of discussions around climate change today. As a sector, it is a major contributor to climate change accounting for nearly one quarter of all global greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, the farmers we depend on for food, feed and fiber are among the most affected by the increase in adverse weather like floods and droughts which impact their yields and livelihoods. But agriculture is not simply a contributor to and victim of climate change, it has the potential to help solve the climate crisis through the widespread adoption of climate-smart practices that not only reduce emissions, but also remove carbon from the atmosphere.

Jillian Griffith, MSPH, RDN, LDN will draw from her experience at Giant Food and Amazon and share real-life examples of how retail RDs can make a positive impact in both brick-and-mortar and e-commerce settings.

Do you ever wonder what the future of eCommerce is going to look like? Experts believe it will be a space where consumers are both enriched and supplemented above and beyond what is available at the present time.