The Independent Natural Food Retailers Association, in partnership with data provider Spins, has released its predictions for the trends that will shape independent natural food stores in 2027, from a rebalancing of the protein craze to smaller pack sizes and emerging certifications.
INFRA, a cooperative of independent natural food and wellness retailers serving hundreds of communities in the U.S., the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, says independents’ agility and support of emerging brands have made them incubators of innovation in natural CPG.
The six trends:
1. Protein back in balance. Protein consumption in 2026 was strong enough to cause a global whey shortage, INFRA says, and products with 20 and 30 grams of protein are growing 16 percent year over year at its member stores. For 2027, the co-op expects more balanced amounts and a shift toward alternative sources, with cottage cheese primed as a hero ingredient and lupin beans, lentils and cheese gaining recognition for their inherent protein.
2. Portion control. GLP-1 usage continues to reshape pack sizes: salty snack packs smaller than 5 ounces have grown 42 percent at INFRA stores, versus 13 percent for larger sizes. Expect multipack and snack-size products to proliferate, meeting demand for smaller, denser snacks.
3. A new certification on the horizon. Alpha-gal syndrome, an allergy to mammalian-based products such as meat and dairy, has surged in prevalence, with more than 100,000 people affected. INFRA says the condition is at an inflection point similar to celiac disease a generation ago and predicts label claims and certifications will follow, possibly reaching major food allergen designation before the end of the decade.
4. Sustainability in packaging. Plastic bottles are growing just 1 percent and plastic jars declining 4 percent at INFRA stores, while glass bottles (up 3 percent), glass jars (4 percent), tin (5 percent) and aluminum (12 percent) trend stronger. The co-op predicts a wave of brands using classic materials in nontraditional categories, as both a marketing booster and an eco-friendly play.
5. Global appeal jumps aisles. International flavors are spreading beyond entrees and beverages: chili crisp spans Szechuan, Japanese, Mexican and even Italian applications, while salty snacks influenced by Indian flavors are up 27 percent, Filipino flavors 87 percent and Japanese flavors 28 percent. Mediterranean influence, up 121 percent, is the fifth-fastest-growing international profile in INFRA grocery categories.
6. Sophisticated sweets. Candy with less than 5 grams of sugar and zero-sugar candy are each growing 12 percent, outpacing candy with more than 10 grams at 5 percent. Cane sugar-based candy remains in demand, up 10 percent, and functional ingredients such as fiber (up 23 percent for candy with 10 grams or more) and prebiotics (11 percent) will differentiate next year’s candy set.
Each trend highlights “hero brands” for retailers scouting the categories, ranging from Chomps Chomplings and Simple Mills Snack Packs in portion control to Carbone Chili Crisp and Wildbrine Fermented Chickpea Salad on the global front.
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