Startup Spotlight
How early-stage food and beverage brands are navigating tight capital in 2026
Early-stage founders share how they’re reinventing indulgent foods while navigating one of the toughest fundraising environments in recent years
Retail
Winter Fancy Faire
Playing defense on price isn’t enough to win today’s food shoppers
Even cautious consumers are balancing budgets with quality, trust and values — and brands that focus only on price risk missing growth opportunities
The real tariff impact on food is still ahead – here is what to expect
Industry data shows manufacturers have delayed price hikes through promotions and portfolio pricing, but analysts warn those tools will weaken as tariff costs finally flow through in 2026
How BuzzBallz became Gen Z’s global RTD obsession
BuzzBallz has become Gen Z’s go‑to party prop, fusing bold flavours, playful design and recession‑proof pricing to rewrite the rules of ready‑to‑drink cocktails
Conagra charts frozen food trends for 2026
Multigenerational households, protein seekers and inflation-wary diners are driving growth in the freezer aisle
The premium protein playbook: Sourcing discipline, pricing restraint and promotions
Pre Brands aims to maintain premium beef pricing through strategic sourcing and targeted retail promotions
Aldi to open 180 new US locations in 2026
Grocer accelerates its brick-and-mortar footprint as Kroger and Albertsons trim unprofitable units
USDA ‘two-strikes’ rule on sweets sales threatens retailers accepting food assistance payments
Industry groups seek further guidance following a 90-day grace period on SNAP snacks ban
Albertsons weathers tough quarter with pharmacy and loyalty gains
The retailer faced hits from reduced drug prices and a government shutdown
From spicy to made in the USA: FreshDirect maps 2026 food and beverage trends
FreshDirect’s 2026 trends point to a year defined by flavor staying power, premium hydration, chef-led grocery and a growing interest in US-made products
Retailers are reshaping access to healthy and affordable diets
Although top retailers highlight affordability and health, healthier products tend to be more expensive and promotional strategies are not typically used to drive their sales
Cautious optimism: Will the CPG food industry return to growth in 2026?
Steady wages, tax refunds and undervalued assets set the stage for targeted growth and strategic deals
AI goes mainstream in food and beverage in 2025
This year’s wave of tools – from trend‑spotting engines to autonomous R&D agents – turned AI into everyday infrastructure for food and beverage
General Mills says price cuts are working
Cutting prices on about two‑thirds of its North America retail lineup helped General Mills beat Q2 estimates and flatten volume declines
Letter from the editor
Trendspotting 2026: Restrain, realism and trust will define the next phase of growth
Quality, credibility and connection will redefine value for food brands in the year ahead
Trendspotting 2026
Whole ingredients, big impact: Plant-based milk trends for 2026
Plant-based milk is predicted to rebound in 2026 with whole ingredients, high-protein innovation and premium café culture
A two-tier economy is reshaping food retail
A widening divide in consumer spending is reshaping food retail traffic and forcing CPG brands to rethink value, localization and omnichannel execution
GLP-1 adoption is rising steadily – and reshaping pack size, portfolio strategy and volume
Rising GLP-1 adoption is quietly reshaping pack size strategy, category risk and marketing priorities for food and beverage brands
Costco touts growth but quiet on tariff lawsuit in Q1 earnings call
The retailer saw double-digit growth in meat and strong private-label momentum as it added new warehouses and looked past tariff turbulence
Online grocery sales surge to $12.3B after government shutdown ends
Amazon’s same-day grocery delivery rollout helps drive November rebound
3 strategies bolstering Campbell’s snack portfolio amid category slowdown
Targeted innovation, seasonal flavors and premiumization are delivering “worth-it” experiences to help maintain share even as snack volumes soften
News Bites
3 strategies shaping the future of food and beverage
Brands and retailers are responding to consumers who want more — more flavor, more functionality and more alignment with their health and sustainability goals
Startup Spotlight
AI that speaks the language of CPG
What the food and beverage market needs isn’t just another AI model — it needs artificial intelligence that understands CPG-specific business
The packaging advantage: How recyclability drives consumer loyalty
Why recyclable packaging drives consumer loyalty
Walmart and Coca-Cola see tariff pressures cresting, but growing consumer divide requires strategic marketing shift
With discretionary spending slipping among lower-income households, both companies are shifting investment and pricing tactics to follow changing shopper behavior
From shelf to chef: McCormick’s Gourmet Collection redesign stirs purchase intent
Early retail enthusiasm and consumer testing suggest McCormick’s premium pivot could spice up category growth well into 2026
What’s next for chocolate? Key trends shaping a $184bn market
Chocolate is changing fast - premium indulgence, health-driven treats, and even cocoa-free innovations are rewriting the rulebook
Tractor Beverage cultivates new business model with Haymaker
The farmer-focused vinegar-based sparkling tonic launches in 2026 at Sprouts Farmers Market
What’s popular this Thanksgiving? Brining, baking and brand buzz
From budget-friendly feasts to playful twists, brands are blending affordability, nostalgia and creativity to win over holiday hosts
Biscuits, cookies & crackers: What’s trending now and into 2026
Premium treats, grab-and-go minis and a burst of festive innovation are giving the aisle more energy than it’s had in years
Target leans on functional beverages to steady slipping sales
Prebiotic sodas, better-for-you energy drinks and Halloween candy give embattled retailer Q3 lift
Walmart jumps to Nasdaq as e-commerce soars
The retail giant leverages AI, online sales and warehouse automation in challenge to Amazon
5 pillars powering private label’s ‘super cycle’ growth
Savvy consumers are looking for more than discounts – smart products and marketing can drive loyalty, according to Kantar
AI platform Keychain raises $10M to help retailers speed private-label product launches
The funding backs Keychain360, a new operating system designed to cut product launch time by up to 30% and streamline sourcing, compliance and vendor management for retailers
US plays catch up in store brands renaissance
As private-label products surge overseas, US grocers are just beginning to unlock their full potential
Startup Spotlight
Yough! scales gut-friendly frozen pizza with clean ingredients and specialty retail strategy
From Greek yogurt crust to store shelves, Yough! is navigating the hurdles of scaling a healthier frozen pizza
Farmed cod gets Aquaculture Stewardship Council stamp, offering consistency for retail and CPG
The ASC is shifting its focus downstream, working with retailers and foodservice partners to make responsibly farmed seafood the industry standard – not the niche
Healthy beverages
Celsius enters a new era with Rockstar, Alani Nu acquisitions
New flavors, female-forward brands power energy drink company reboot
Healthy beverages
What’s the buzz around instant coffee?
Gen Z and Millennials are embracing the low-cost counterpart to ground and whole bean
Saffron Road’s seed oil-free certification aims to ‘level up’ frozen aisle
Frozen entrée manufacturer Saffron Road expands its clean label positioning with its Seed Oil Free certification, a move that reflects both evolving consumer awareness and the brand’s long-term strategy around ingredient transparency
Fruitist continues expanding packaged fresh fruit business with $150 million capital raise
The fresh fruit producer plans to invest in fruit genetics and AI to boost its positioning in the healthy snacking segment
Target rolls out Scandinavian gummy brand Sockerbit at 1,600 stores
The ‘better-for-you’ treats include vegan, gluten-free varieties
How a small-batch ice cream brand brought its homegrown roots to retailers nationwide
Nightingale Ice Cream’s premium ice cream sandwiches adds Target to its roster of national retailers
Justin Gold’s second act: Back at Justin’s after Hormel sell-off
Nut butter pioneer hopes to recapture the entrepreneurial spark that made his snack company a category trailblazer
5 meat snack innovations at NACS 2025
The tradeshow featured hundreds of innovative new products at the Cool New Snacks preview room
Top 5 Christmas confectionery trends 2025
Holidays are coming! Discover the confectionery trends driving festive sales in 2025
Nestlé, Mondelēz, Hershey - How chocolate giants are coping with price hikes
The largest players in food are making bold decisions in an effort to boost growth
SNAP funding shortfall puts pressure on food system as Instacart, retailers step in
With Congress gridlocked over SNAP funding, the food industry – from Instacart to grocery chains – is stepping in to keep families fed and stabilize supply chains
Hershey’s convenience-focused launches highlight c-store strategy and shopper insights
Hershey doubles down on the convenience channel with bold flavors, strategic pack sizes and data-driven innovation aimed at capturing Gen Z and driving repeat purchases
Mondelēz’s travel retail playbook: A blueprint for sweets and snacks success
Travel retail is no longer just about luxury - confectionery is taking off. Discover how Mondelēz is turning airports into brand-building playgrounds