Coca-Cola Co. navigates K-shaped economy with AI
President and CFO John Murphy says the company is moving beyond a pre-COVID volume mindset to stay relevant with both premium and value shoppers
Retail
Can better-for-you deliver candy cravings?
Better-for-you candy is entering a new phase where bold flavor and real ingredients - not just reduced sugar - are driving consumer interest across the snacking landscape
How audio ads are behind food and drinks’ next sales boost
Audio’s reach and ROI are pushing food and beverage marketers to rethink its role in the media mix
High gas prices fuel Costco memberships and food sales
CEO Ron Vachris says price-sensitive consumers are turning to Costco gas, increasing loyalty and driving warehouse sales
Hormel’s Q2 earnings beat fueled by Jennie-O, Applegate, SPAM and Pepperoni
The Skippy and SPAM maker beat consensus EPS and revenue estimates, with its stock climbing nearly 13% on the news
News Bites
How consolidation, new sweeteners and retail pressure are redefining food
Companies are getting bigger, ingredients are getting smarter and the definition of “better-for-you” is getting narrower
Walmart leads but Costco and Dollar General are gaining ground with shoppers
New data from Placer.ai reveals shifting shopper dynamics among the top four big-box chains – and what it means for CPG brands navigating an increasingly consolidated retail landscape
Target’s better-for-you food play is paying off
The retail giant is rethinking its grocery business and chasing consumer preference for healthier products
The most creative beverage packaging innovations
Looking for beverage packaging inspiration? We explore some of the most innovative ideas from across the beverage universe
Food retail trends 2026: Why Gen Z no longer shops by aisle
Younger consumers aren’t just swapping meals for snacks – they’re tearing apart the traditional rules that have shaped food retail, product development and brand strategy for decades
FBIF 2026
Not Just a Flavour Strategy: How KitKat Embedded Itself in Japanese Culture
From ‘Japanisation’ to deep cultural alignment, Nestlé KitKat is one of the few foreign brands to have thoroughly cracked Japan’s competitive chocolate market
Mars signals new era for confectionery with bold launches and digital focus
Mars redefines confectionery with innovative flavours, new formats and a digital-first shopping strategy
A new wave of food inflation is building across the supply chain
Economists warn that rising fertilizer, fuel, packaging and tariff costs tied to global conflicts and trade policy could push grocery inflation above historical norms by late 2026
Candy makers roll out bold new flavors and functional twists ahead of summer snacking season
New offerings spotlight caffeine-infused candy, globally inspired fruit pairings and spicy-sweet mashups as brands chase novelty and function
Omnichannel grocery fuels shopper choice – but fragments retailer loyalty
As omnichannel expands shopper choice, retailers and brands must balance availability, personalization and execution to stay top of mind
Mars: The global heavyweight setting the snacking agenda
The world’s biggest confectionery and snacking company is driving change across the industry
From clicks to cart: Online grocery drives the next wave of growth
As omnichannel shopping becomes the norm, ecommerce, retail media and retailer apps are reshaping how and where grocery growth happens
The death of the free airline snack
Delta’s decision to scrap complimentary snacks and drinks on hundreds of flights is exposing a bigger shift across global aviation.
Coca-Cola to Funfetti: Food brands celebrate America’s 250th birthday with limited-edition products
US grocery shelves are getting a patriotic makeover this summer as food manufacturers launch limited-edition products
Beef downturn hits Tyson and local economies as prices rise and supply shrinks
A 75-year low cattle cycle is taking a toll on Tyson’s beef volume leading to plant closures and job losses, even as other protein segments post gains
Is the retail media network gold rush over?
In this next phase, marketers aren’t abandoning retail media – they’re simply demanding that it grow up
Grocers scale private label portfolios with protein, fiber claims
New launches from Kroger, Meijer, AWG and Natural Grocers highlight health benefits as Walmart overhauls Great Value
News Bites
GLP‑1 nutrition, Nestlé’s reset and the rising reformulation crunch
Food companies are being pushed to rethink everything from product design to portfolio strategy and ingredient standards
Time’s ‘10 Most Influential Food Companies’ list misses some of the real disruptors
The 103-year-old magazine’s latest picks highlight companies on the move, but some of the forces genuinely reshaping food in 2026 sit beyond that shortlist
Food financial assistance restrictions fuel fight in 2026 budget debate
As Congress moves closer to a floor vote on the 2026 Farm Bill, a proposed amendment has ignited a high‑stakes debate over whether the federal government should restrict what SNAP benefits can buy nationwide
Traditional grocers could learn a thing or two from food co-ops
As clean-label popularity grows, co-ops stand out for trust, local supplier networks and higher organic and fair-trade sales
What a new bill could mean for small businesses shut out of SBA loans
Democrat-led legislation aims to restore Small Business Administration (SBA) loans for immigrant‑owned small businesses
SNAP restrictions are reshaping sugary food purchases
Ibotta data shows states prohibiting the use of SNAP funds to buy ‘unhealthy’ products are reshaping sugary beverage and snack demand
CPG gears up for Cinco de Mayo on Taco Tuesday
A rare ‘Taco Eclipse’ is prompting Mexican brands to spotlight limited-edition tacos, new protein-rich beans and cheese-led recipes for celebrations
Shoppers embrace personalization – but draw the line at AI taking control
While personalized pricing and in-store tech gain approval, nearly half of consumers reject fully agentic AI shopping experiences, according to a new Dunnhumby report
Aldi ramps up clean-label push with 44 new ingredient bans
Move affects 90% of store assortment as private-label-focused retailer responds to consumer ingredient concerns
GLP-1-friendly foods are booming – but the label is still taboo
From “high protein” to “supports muscle mass” claims, brands are coding GLP-1 benefits without naming the trend outright
Is microwave popcorn ready for disruption? Opopop thinks so
Next-generation microwavable popcorn brand Opopop got a big boost in March with nationwide distribution at Walmart, a launch that has kept the company innovating
From Reese’s PB&J cups to Jolt root beer, nostalgia is driving CPG’s latest launches
Limited-time candies, revived sodas and refreshed pantry staples show how brands are using retro flavors and recognizable designs to stand out in a crowded market
Albertsons’ digital strategy helps hold sales steady even as shoppers pull back
Targeted pricing, AI-driven personalization and loyalty gains help offset demand pressure from rising fuel costs, higher prices due to tariffs and shifting consumer behavior
Grocery inflation eases for now, but rising energy and fertilizer prices threaten rebound
A dip in supermarket prices in March offers a brief respite, but surging fuel and fertilizer costs tied to the Iran conflict could reverse the trend
Walmart’s ecommerce, fulfillment and advertising business offset flat in-store sales
War in Iran creates a $100 million-plus fuel-cost headwind for the retail giant, but it hasn’t impacted prices – yet
Private-label consolidation continues with CK Snacks’ purchase of Keystone Food Products
From Axium to Keystone, CK Snacks is stitching together a manufacturing network as private‑equity dollars pour into store‑brand suppliers
How the Swedish candy craze helped save a San Francisco sweets shop
A year after flames gutted his Haight Street candy shop, founder Max Kolegue rebuilt the business through Amazon sales – and a viral boom in Swedish gummies
Cacao pods and ‘ugly’ potatoes powering the upcycled foods movement
Brands like Roots Farm Fresh, Blue Stripes and Salt and Straw are finding new value in food waste through upcycled snacks and frozen foods
3 standouts in Whole Foods’ 14th annual Supplier All-Star Awards
Whole Foods Market recognizes trailblazing suppliers advancing transparency, innovation and ethical sourcing across food and beverage categories
Circana: Private label takes different paths in the US and Europe
With national brands leaning on promotions, retailers are betting on premium private label, better-for-you innovation and ESG commitments to build long-term trust and loyalty
From 67 no’s to nationwide: How Magic Mind built its functional shot business
Positioned to upgrade coffee, Magic Mind rapidly is scaling its nootropic shot after turning early rejections into nationwide retail traction
The retail playbook that took a clean label soda from natural to mainstream
Clean label soda brand Nixie outlines the retail and merchandising strategy that is helping it compete in conventional aisles
Can fermented bean protein be the new ‘it’ category?
Wildbrine bets big on creating a new category with its fermented chickpea salads
Bel Group levels up: New protein cheese hits shelves as brand doubles production
Babybel is supercharging its US growth with a $200 million South Dakota capacity expansion just as its new protein‑and‑probiotic Babybel Pro hits mass retail, staking an early claim in the fast‑rising functional snacking space
Whole Foods’ small-format stores could boost CPG startups
The grocer’s UK small-format rollout, together with its US LEAP accelerator and UK Brand Pitch Day events, is creating new opportunities for emerging brands
Middle East tensions, rising energy and fertilizer costs push grocery prices higher
February CPI shows food-at-home prices climbing 0.4% as supply chain risks, tariff uncertainty and volatile farm inputs threaten to add new pressure on brands, retailers and inflation-weary shoppers
Nestlé crashes the condiment aisle with its first US sauce brand
Minor’s Kitchen features four chef-driven flavors, aiming to reach home cooks looking for flavor-forward, convenient options
Grocery’s growth divide: Where CPG brands should bet in 2026
In 2026, brands can’t afford guesswork - cracking where and how shoppers engage is key for smarter distribution, faster innovation and successful category strategies