Equal parts educational, exciting, and overwhelming, the National Restaurant Association (NRA) show once again proved a great opportunity to learn about foodservice trends and to network with like-minded peers and influencers. More than 2,000 companies displayed their products last month in Chicago during the largest annual gathering of the restaurant, foodservice, and hospitality industry. I…
Consumer Insights & Trends
May 9, 2017
5 Food Crazes To Elevate Your Brand
If you look at the mindset of the current consumer, the food trends make sense. People are more intent on eating food that’s good for them; the concept of “wellness” has emerged as a status symbol. Snacking (a dirty word when I was a child) has turned healthy and hip.…
Consumer Insights & TrendsRetail
Target just announced plans to spend billions of dollars over the next three years to redesign 500 stores. The redesign places greater emphasis on groceries, with a second entrance providing easy access to the grocery department, more fresh produce, and self-checkout lanes. The importance of grocery shoppers is not lost on Target. The…
Consumer Insights & Trends
February 10, 2017
7 Habits Of Highly Effective Fruit & Veggie Marketers
Stephen Covey first published his hugely popular book, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, back in 1989. Since then, a cottage industry seems to have risen up with various pundits proposing their own “seven habits” lists for all kinds of industries and interests. I’m no pundit—and I’m certainly no Stephen…
Consumer Insights & TrendsRetail
December 21, 2016
Yogurt Category Innovation Fuels Consumer Interest
For eons, yogurt has been the ultimate superfood for many cultures and its popularity in the United States continues to grow. According to Nielsen, the yogurt category is projected at $7.7B, up 3.3% from last year. Over the last four years, the category drove $1.47B in growth, making it the 17th fastest growing…
Consumer Insights & Trends
Boston University researchers estimate that 3 million baby boomers will live to be 100 years old. So when it comes to marketing food brands, while it’s all the rage to market to millennials right now, it’s also a good idea not to forget boomers just yet -- mainly because they’ve got a lot…