Plant-based foods, increased interest in sustainable foods and practices, and the return of popular classics highlight potential new trends in 2023, according to a new report from Whole Foods Market. The report is created by the retailer’s Trends Council of food industry experts.
The plant-based food industry has exploded in the past decade, but COVID caused or, at the least, revealed some challenges to the category’s future growth. To help shed some light on where it’s headed, Arlington, Va.-based FMI – The Food Industry Association has extended its highly successful “Power of” series of studies to include plant-based.
The future is “phygital,” exclaimed Sophie Blum, chief marketing and channel officer for Puratos, during a Sunday, Sept. 18, session at the Artisan Marketplace, Crafted by Puratos (Booth No. 3645) at the International Baking Industry Exposition (IBIE).
Bringing back the “theater of retail” is a priority for Jason Buechel, the new chief executive officer of Whole Foods Market, Austin, Texas, a business unit of Amazon.com, Inc., who spoke at the Groceryshop conference held Sept. 19-22 in Las Vegas.
More than 100 emerging brands will be featured at Pop Up Grocer when the monthlong retail concept opens Sept. 30 in Denver’s RiNo neighborhood. Colorado-based businesses include Rowdy Mermaid Kombucha and Byte Bars, alongside national brands including Christie’s Chips, The Hampton Grocer and Courtside.
The record inflation in fresh seafood and across the grocery store this year has led to some innovation promotions and “value” merchandising in the fresh seafood department.
The Retail Bakers of America (RBA) is looking to help pie bakers get an early jump on the holiday season with its latest virtual event taking place Tuesday, August 16 from 1-3 pm CST.