Trends

The coronavirus pandemic has put health and wellness top of mind for many consumers and this is playing out not only in what foods are being purchased but also with soaring supplement sales. In particular, the sales for ingredients like vitamin C, vitamin D, zinc and elderberry are skyrocketing.

Grocery shopping during the COVID-19 crisis has been a challenge for many customers, but these uncertain times can be really tough for families living with food allergies. Shoppers, who must deal with a restricted diet, may be in need of some extra help and guidance right now. Here are some ways your store(s) can provide support:

The COVID-19 pandemic has many consumers thinking about the relationship between nutrition and their immune system as media outlets and social posts offer details on various supplements and foods to support health during this crisis.

Weeks into the COVID-19 pandemic, health professionals are scratching their heads about the continued empty toilet paper shelves. Skyrocketing sales of disposal gloves and disinfectants make sense, of course, but paper products are another story.

The commodity organization, Colorado Corn, recently created a communication strategy to tell their sustainable story to the public. Their messages will help consumers understand some “a-maizing” sustainability facts about corn.

It may be hard to imagine that before 1970, a factory could spew black clouds of toxic smoke into the air or dump tons of toxic waste into a nearby stream, and that was perfectly legal. They could not be taken to court to stop it. How was that possible? Because there was no EPA, no Clean Air Act, no Clean Water Act. There were no legal or regulatory mechanisms to protect our environment.

A recent report from IRI and FMI indicates that the fresh food business of 2025 will be much different than that of 2015. The report also suggests that retailers must be forward-looking, data-driven and break from tradition to keep pace with the rate of change. Here are some report highlights:

Recent trends have revealed what dietitians in food retail have known all along – health and wellness are defined by the consumer and will continue to be a key purchase driver as consumers lead the charge of food and health trends.

For Millennial moms and dads, one mission prevails over all others when food-shopping: keep it healthy.

The current coronavirus pandemic has impacted every individual’s life in some way. With the recommendations around social isolation and given the key role retailers play in the food supply chain, the industry is in overdrive ensuring shopper safety and availability of food.