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
All stories
Trendspotting 2026
Trendspotting 2026: Why shoppers are ditching extreme diets and embracing balance
Mintel dives into the food trends of 2026 — where perseverance, playfulness and practical products meet at the grocery aisle
Trendspotting 2026
Top 2026 marketing challenge for CPGs: Balancing algorithms and authenticity
Consumers increasingly want human connection without compromising the convenience AI offers – complicating product development, storytelling and engagement strategies for food brands
Soup-To-Nuts Podcast
The GLP-1 effect: How 2026 will look for food and beverage
From shifting grocery habits to new product opportunities, Circana’s insights reveal how brands and retailers can adapt to the rise of GLP-1 users
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
Trump orders sweeping probe into food price-fixing as grocery costs threaten GOP
Facing voter frustration and political risk, the White House directs DOJ and FTC to investigate potential price-fixing across the food chain as Republicans brace for midterm pressure
Soup-To-Nuts Podcast
Danone reveals what is next for protein
With demand for protein climbing but understanding about different types and benefits lagging, Danone unveils how it is helping consumers move beyond grams per serving to understand quality, digestibility, differences in plant- and animal-based options...
Monster Beverage energizes growth through innovation that reinforces, not replaces what consumers love
By pairing fan favorites with innovative new products, Monster expands occasions, recruits new consumers, and protects its core amid industry-wide unit declines
Premier Protein’s playbook for holding the lead when a category takes off
The hardest part about winning a new category isn’t getting there first – it’s surviving the stampede that follows, as illustrated by BellRing Brands’ aggressive growth strategy for convenient nutrition leader Premier Protein
Coca-Cola eyes return of bolt-on deals, but is there a viable pipeline?
CEO James Quincey says bolt-on M&A will become a ‘bigger feature’ for Coca-Cola and the larger industry, but the timing hinges on innovation cycles and the beverage giant’s prolonged IRS dispute