A patchwork of conflicting state ingredient laws could drive grocery costs up 12 percent for American households if regulations passed in Louisiana, Texas and West Virginia are replicated nationwide, according to a study released Feb. 20 by Americans for Ingredient Transparency. The economic analysis, conducted by Policy Navigation Group, examined legislation that bans ingredients or […]
Category: Grocery Research
News relating to research, study and reports surrounding the grocery and supermarket industries.
Posted inGrocery Research, Dairy News, National, News
Challenge Butter Survey Finds Americans Rejecting Restrictive Food Rules
Nearly two-thirds of Americans said they want to eat better without restriction or aren’t changing how they eat in 2026, according to a survey of more than 2,000 U.S. adults commissioned by Dublin, California-based Challenge Butter. The research shows Americans are prioritizing enjoyment and personal choice over rigid food rules. Three in four said flavor […]
Posted inFrozen Food, Association News, Featured News, Grocery Research, National, News
NFRA: Consumers Prefer Naturally Protein-Rich Foods Over Fortified Options
Consumers prioritize naturally protein-rich foods like meat, eggs and dairy over heavily fortified alternatives, according to new research from the National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association. The Harrisburg, Pennsylvania-based trade association found that while interest in added protein remains strong, particularly among parents, health-conscious shoppers and middle-income households, consumers consistently place greater trust in foods […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Featured News, Finance News, Grocery Research, National, News
Dunnhumby Study Finds Shoppers Shifting To Mass Retailers, Dollar Stores
Mass-channel retailers reached 79 percent penetration in December, equaling traditional supermarkets for the first time as 70 percent of working-age Americans reported difficulty covering unexpected $400 expenses, according to Wave 12 of the dunnhumby Consumer Trends Tracker released Feb. 18. The shift marks a fundamental realignment in American shopping behavior driven by persistent affordability pressures. […]
Posted inBakery News, Featured News, Grocery Research, National, News
Top Baking Trends Shaping In-Store Bakeries In 2026
In 2026, in-store bakery is becoming a “solution department” more than a “nice-to-have case.” Shoppers still buy baked goods with their senses, taste and price remain the top two purchase drivers, but the bar for what counts as a good indulgence is rising. Recent consumer research continues to show that taste drives purchase decisions first, […]
Posted inGrocery Research, National, News
Tastepoint Identifies 10 Flavor Trends Expected To Shape 2026 Market
Philadelphia-based Tastepoint by IFF has identified 10 flavors expected to trend in the North American retail and foodservice throughout 2026, based on data-driven market analysis, menu tracking, social listening and changes in consumer behavior. “To continue delivering product development solutions that meet consumers’ unique and changing needs, we stay attuned to industry and market trends, keeping […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, Grocery Research, National, News
Fresh Produce White Paper Links Fruits, Vegetables To Reduced Disease Risk
The Foundation for Fresh Produce has released a white paper examining how fruits and vegetables reduce the risk of chronic non-communicable diseases including heart disease, diabetes, obesity and cancer, the Newark, Delaware-based organization announced Feb. 9. “Fruits, Vegetables, and Human Health: Key Nutrients and Their Role in Chronic Diseases,” written by the foundation’s Chief Medical […]
Posted inC-Store News, Grocery Research, National, News
U.S. Convenience Store Count At 151K, Down From Last Year
There are 151,975 convenience stores in the United States, a slight decrease of 280 stores (0.2 percent) compared to the year prior, according to the 2026 NACS/NIQ TDLinx Convenience Industry Store Count. While the overall store count dipped, the number of convenience stores selling fuel increased by 768 stores (0.6 percent) to 122,620, the highest […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Grocery Research, National, News
Online Grocery Sales Surge 32% To Record $12.7B In December
U.S. online grocery sales surged 32 percent year over year in December to a record $12.7 billion, according to the latest Brick Meets Click Grocery Shopper Survey. The record performance reflects higher order frequency, increased spending rates and a larger user base than December 2024. Online share of total grocery spending reached 19 percent, the […]
Posted inGrocery Research, Finance News, National, News
Report: Traditional Grocers Losing Shoppers As Fragmentation Accelerates
Traditional grocers are losing their most valuable shoppers in a shift that appears permanent, according to new data from AlixPartners released Jan. 21. Fewer than half of consumers in the survey — 49 percent — say they spent most of their grocery budget at traditional grocers like Kroger, Albertsons, H-E-B and Wegmans in 2025, down […]
Posted inGrocery Research, National, News, The Kroger Co.
Kroger Reveals Top 6 Food Trend Predictions For 2026
The Kroger Co. has shared its top six food trend predictions for 2026, forecasting emerging customer behaviors and anticipated popular products for the year ahead. Developed by Kroger’s team of food experts, the list is intended to spotlight flavors and formats likely to resonate with shoppers in the months to come. “The way our customers […]
Posted inGrocery Research, Corporate Store News, Finance News, H-E-B, Independent Store News, National, News
H-E-B, Market Basket Top Dunnhumby’s Grocery Ranking List
H-E-B, Market Basket and Woodman’s are the top three U.S. grocery retailers, according to dunnhumby’s ninth annual Retailer Preference Index (RPI) for U.S. Grocery, a nationwide study that examines the $1 trillion U.S. grocery market. For Texas-based H-E-B, it was the fifth first-place finish in nine years, while Tewksbury, Massachusetts-based Market Basket ranked second for […]
Posted inGrocery Research, National, News
Grubhub Report Calls 2025 The ‘Year Of Foodmaxxing’
Grubhub’s latest “2025 Delivered Trend Report” shows that U.S. consumers embraced what the company describes as the Foodmaxxing Era in 2025, a shift in ordering behavior that emphasizes meals, snacks, drinks and groceries designed for maximum nutritional value, functional benefit and visual appeal for social sharing. The annual report analyzes millions of orders placed across […]
Posted inGrocery Research, National, News
PS Seasoning Forecasts Six Consumer Flavor Trends For 2026
PS Seasoning has released its annual forecast of consumer-driven flavor trends expected to shape 2026 as consumers head into the new year with tighter budgets, rising interest in high-protein meals and an increased focus on ingredients. The company’s analysis draws on extensive R&D testing, category performance data, flavor-tracking tools and emerging culinary signals to identify […]
Posted inGrocery Research, National, News, Nonfood Items
Survey: Home, Housewares At Heart Of Consumers’ Plans In 2026
New International Housewares Association (IHA) research reveals that home and housewares products are increasingly central to how consumers plan to entertain and celebrate key life moments in 2026, according to the 2026 IHA Occasions and At-Home Entertaining Surveys released this week. The annual surveys — conducted for IHA by Morning Consult — provide detailed insights […]
Posted inGrocery Research, National, News
Swiftly Survey Finds Most Shoppers Trust Local Grocers Over National Giants
A new consumer study released by retail technology provider Swiftly shows a strong trust advantage for neighborhood grocery stores over national competitors, suggesting a potential competitive edge for independent and regional grocers amid ongoing affordability pressures. The True Cost of a Grocery Shop 2025 survey, conducted online among more than 1,400 U.S. grocery shoppers, found […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Grocery Research, National, News
November Online Grocery Sales Surge 29% To $12.3B
U.S. online grocery sales surged 29 percent year over year to $12.3 billion in November, driven by higher order frequency and a record share of users placing three or more orders during the month, according to the Brick Meets Click Grocery Shopper Survey, sponsored by Mercatus. Online grocery’s share of total weekly grocery spending climbed […]
Posted inGrocery Research, National, News
Upside Report Highlights Consumer Spend Across Multiple Retailers
Upside has released its Consumer Spend Report 2025, which found that grocery shoppers are increasingly uncommitted, spreading their spend across more retailers, comparing prices constantly and relying on promotions to stretch their budgets. The report also finds that some of the investments retailers made to improve accessibility, from expanded pickup options to enhanced loyalty programs, […]
Posted inGrocery Research, National, News
FreshDirect Shares Top Food Predictions For 2026
FreshDirect’s 2026 food trends and predictions report reflects a growing demand for an expanded flavor palate, shift in consumer drinking habits, desire for products made in the U.S. and an expansion of chefs making meals for the home kitchen. In 2025, FreshDirect strengthened its customer connections through experiential events and activations in New York City, the […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Association News, Grocery Research, National, News
Winter Holiday Confectionery Demand Remains Strong, NCA Reports
According to a new survey from the National Confectioners Association (NCA), 95 percent of Americans plan to celebrate the winter holidays with chocolate and candy, reflecting the category’s continued strength as a holiday staple. The “big four” seasonal moments – Valentine’s Day, Easter, Halloween and the winter holidays – remain key for the $54 billion […]