Retail Industry Insights

During a recent symposium in Minneapolis, NPD staff shared insights on today's consumers, and how their habits impact the food industry.  Key insights and implications for the work of retail dietitians are highlighted here.

The 2018 Food Retailing Industry Speaks report explores those issues that impact food sales positively or negatively, describes some of the strategies retailers are using to differentiate themselves, and looks at the growing impact of e-commerce. Several of the results are encouraging for the current and future role of retail dietitians:

As retail dietitians you know the powerful health benefits that pears provide, yet too often, this unassuming fruit goes unnoticed by shoppers. How do you increase pear consumption among your shoppers – and produce sales for your stores? Stemilt Growers, a long-time leader in premium pears, recommends tapping into unconventional themes and creating special events with “hidden holidays” to highlight this nutrient powered fruit.  

A study conducted by FMI and Rodale in 2016 showed that 71% of parents said they would like to eat dinner with their child every night. Unfortunately, the frequency of family meals is low (FMI U.S. Grocery Shopper Trends, 2018). Conflicting schedules, a dislike of the food served, and the varied schedules of a busy family are often the key excused cited, however, positive momentum is being seen.

Change, evolution, progress. Powerful words. It’s been said that failure is not fatal, but failure to change might be. The nutrition industry is especially at risk of this. Why? Because nutrition is inherently personal.

It’s no secret that affordable, quality fresh fruits and vegetables are powerful foods, essential to  well-balancedeating habits. 

Food retailers understand that change and disruption are part of business. Today, however, retailers have an added challenge of dealing with disruptions that are happening at an unprecedented speed. Through the Food Marketing Institute’s (FMI) Emerging Issues Initiative, leaders across the industry have identified those issues that have the greatest potential to affect the food industry in the next three to five years.

October is National Pork Month and with fall flavors in full swing, it’s the perfect time for your shoppers to add nutrient-rich pork to their shopping list. 

Retailers that invest in developing a credible brand that delivers the taste, quality and health attributes that consumers demand will have huge upside opportunities to grow share. A recent report from the Food Marketing Institute (FMI), Delivering Health & Wellness with Private Brands, illustrates current best practices and future opportunities for incorporating positive nutritional attributes and wellness messaging into private brand programs, and provides the resources and guidance for ensuring product offerings and educational resources meet the needs of today’s health conscious shoppers. Report highlights include:

With limited land available for agriculture as well as heightened interest in conserving nature resources like water, new types of agriculture – both plant and animal – are emerging.  As consumers become more savvy in their knowledge of these options, retailers are increasing product offerings from new agriculture methodologies. Today’s article explores one of these methodologies – aquaponics.