Weekly Roundup – Week of 1.19.26
January 23, 2026
From CPGs to C-stores, we’re breaking down the week’s hottest topics – curated by our team of strategists and food enthusiasts:
How CPGs Can Win In 2026
Circana’s revised outlook indicates a more cautious but still resilient food and beverage market. Intense price competition and AI-enabled efficiencies are helping keep prices in check. Brands best positioned to succeed are those balancing affordability with relevance while staying on trend, offering flexible price points and pack sizes, and meeting consumers across channels. While growth will be more measured, Circana emphasizes that innovation, personalization, and creative marketing remain key levers for standing out in a value-driven environment. Learn More
Is AI Leveling The Playing Field In C-Store Foodservice?
AI has moved from experimentation to necessity, and in convenience retail, it is impacting foodservice, which is the channel’s fastest-growing revenue driver.
Key Takeaways from C-Store Dive:
- Foodservice is now central to c-store growth, accounting for ~27% of sales and attracting more daily visits than QSRs.
- AI is the new operational equalizer, helping smaller or scaling operators improve consistency, reduce waste, and optimize labor without added complexity.
- Operational volatility remains high, driven by fresh food constraints, labor turnover, and fragmented execution systems.
- Agentic retail raises the stakes, as AI-driven consumer “agents” will increasingly guide food choices based on availability, freshness, and credibility.
- End-to-end AI platforms connect forecasting, production, safety, and inventory, delivering measurable gains in margin, shrink reduction, and execution.
- Early adoption matters most, with the greatest value realized when foodservice programs are still being built or scaled.
Take Notice: Gen Z’s Eating Habits Guide Future Restaurant Dining
Gen Z’s eating habits show how and when younger consumers engage with food. Many are dining solo, ordering takeout frequently, and spending less time in traditional restaurant settings. This generation also values unique and adventurous flavors, experiential meals, and occasional premium dining rather than routine dining out. For food manufacturers, this means developing products and packaging that deliver sensory appeal, tell a compelling brand story digitally, and fit into both at-home convenience and experiential eating occasions to align with Gen Z’s preferences. Read Story
Eating Well: The Central Driver of Grocery Shopping
FMI’s latest report positions health as the “North Star” guiding nearly every consumer food decision, even alongside economic pressures. As definitions of “healthy” evolve toward nutrient-dense, low-sugar, whole-body benefits and become more personalized due to trends like GLP-1 use, shoppers are rewarding retailers that actively support their health goals. For food brands, this highlights the need to partner closely with grocers on health-forward innovation, education, and personalized solutions that reinforce the store’s role as a reliable wellness destination. Read On
IFIC’s Processed Foods Research Shows Gaps Between Parents, Experts, & Influencers
IFIC’s new research finds that while processed and “highly processed” foods are back in the spotlight following the release of the 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, online conversations remain polarized, emotional, and often misaligned with expert guidance. Analysis of more than 135,000 social posts shows consumers seeking practical, incremental improvements rather than elimination. On the other side, expert and influencer voices frequently lack consensus, contributing to confusion and distrust. The report highlights a growing gap between official terminology and consumer language, alongside rising negativity toward ultra-processed foods, emphasizing the need for clearer, more relatable communication. Download IFIC’s Report
Want to stay on top of the latest trends and food and beverage insights but you don’t have time to read all the newsletters infiltrating your inbox? Check out our Weekly Roundup blog every Friday for a synopsis of the week’s top stories.
