Weekly Roundup – Week of 6.17.24
June 21, 2024
Find top trending food and beverage-related stories of the week – all curated by our team of strategists and food enthusiasts:
Consumers Opt For Clean Labels In Beverages
“The clean label movement began with consumers seeking healthier food options free from harmful chemicals,” explains Linnea Halter of Global Organics. Originally focused on simple, easy-to-understand ingredients without artificial additives, the concept has now expanded to include environmental responsibility and complete transparency. Alice Lee from GNT USA notes the growing demand for natural and healthy ingredients, driven by more informed consumers who are paying greater attention to nutritional and ingredient labels. Beverage makers have numerous opportunities to meet this demand within their product lines. Learn More.
Will Digital Signage Become The New Trend In Retail?
Walmart is paving the way by announcing the installation of electronic shelf labels (ESLs) in over 2,300 stores by 2026, following a successful test run in Grapevine, Texas. This move will bring ESLs into the spotlight in the U.S., where adoption has been slow. According to Randy Mercer, chief product officer at 1WorldSync, ESLs, which connect to the internet, are more efficient and versatile than traditional paper tags. They allow retailers to display real-time product information, enabling dynamic pricing strategies and boosting conversion rates. Read Article.
Podcast Spotlight: Transformations In Foodservice
During the fourth installment of Food Institute’s “Foodservice Gamechangers” series, Sysco’s Senior Vice President and Chief Merchandising Officer, Victoria Gutierrez, sat down with Food Institute advisor and guest host Pat Mulhern to talk about the significance of promoting a mentality geared towards growth and welcoming digital changes in the foodservice distribution sector. They discussed the need for flexible problem-solving skills and sustainability in the workforce. Listen Now.
American’s Still Love Beef
Americans have a strong appetite for beef, with an expected consumption of about 58 pounds per capita this year. According to Technomic, 70% of consumers eat beef weekly, highlighting its popularity despite supply chain challenges and price fluctuations. The primary driver behind this trend is beef’s high protein content, as noted by Technomic’s Ignite Consumer data. In response to consumer demand and competitive pressure, many operators are enhancing their menus with higher-quality beef options, innovative recipes, and fresh, not frozen, beef products. Read More.
Connecting Consumers With New Product Launches
Top popular brands seek to foster deeper relationships with their fans this summer. Ferrero’s Mother’s Cookies is connecting with consumers through the Stop and Taste the Frosting Summer Tour event and a partnership with Nextdoor. This initiative aims to make it easy for parents to celebrate summer with their children by offering a mobile experience that brings engaging activities straight to families’ doorsteps and summer destinations.
Additionally, Nestlé is enhancing its consumer relevance with limited-time offerings for its DiGiorno pizza brand, tied to the upcoming Deadpool & Wolverine movie. These unique products, such as The Wade Special and Spicy Wolvie Pie, are designed to increase shelf space and deepen brand relationships. Nestlé’s strategy focuses on leveraging cultural trends to drive sales and strengthen consumer connections.
Every Friday we recap the latest food and beverage news stories of the week. Make sure to stop back often to keep up the industry’s most trending topics.
