Trends

Are you paying attention to the frustration your shoppers are experiencing as food prices continue to challenge budgets? “Shrinkflation” is a buzzword making headlines this year, which may be impacting consumer loyalty to not only brands, but their retailers as well.

Heart disease remains the number one cause of death in the United States, so it is no surprise that heart healthy remains a resonant and valued food and beverage claim.1,2

A new study brings to light how vulnerable adult Americans are for addiction to highly processed foods, so much that these statistics are equally alarming and may even surpass addiction to tobacco (10%) and alcohol (4%) in this age category.

Every day from now until the end of the year, news feeds are filled with trend predictions, including those related to food and nutrition. To consider what trends you need to watch closely and consider incorporating into your programs and services, consider these trend watches.

To continue to engage their shoppers as well as their shareholders, retailers are getting more active in sustainable sourcing and packaging and making long-term commitments in this space. Consider the following retail programs as you assess how sustainability aligns within your health and wellbeing programs and services.

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?

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.

Strategies and directions change, the first White House Summit on Hunger, Nutrition and Health in 50 years happens, and inflation drives retailers to focus on customer retention and loyalty. All these factors are driving new activations in the health and well-being space at retail. This week, we’re featuring initiatives you’ll want to keep your eye on.

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. 

I’m a bit embarrassed to admit that I am late to awareness of the full movement that is quiet quitting. Stacy Bates from H-E-B brought it to my attention and schooled me in the basics. I have since discussed the movement with multiple retail RDs, done my fair share of reading on the topic, and talked with my Gen Z son about it. Here are my thoughts on its application to the life of RDs working in the retail setting.