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
Retail
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
SNAP’s next chapter could redefine product eligibility across states
The next era of SNAP reform targets how nutrition policy, retail compliance and product eligibility quietly reshape the CPG playbook
Natural Products Expo West 2026
New beverage launches to watch at Expo West 2026
Pura Soda, Beyond Meat, Nixie, Malk, Tractor Beverage and more unveil their latest innovations in natural and organic drinks
Food cravings on GLP-1s? What formulators need to know
It’s a common misconception that GLP-1 drugs erase food cravings. Actually, they alter them
How food retailers and suppliers are driving health and affordability
Grocery retailers and food suppliers are reformulating products, leveraging dietitian expertise and integrating health services to meet rising consumer demand for nutritious, affordable food
Celsius’ $722M Q4 signals surging energy drink growth as Alani Nu, Rockstar join PepsiCo network
As Celsius absorbs Alani Nu and Rockstar into PepsiCo’s distribution system, the three‑brand portfolio is grabbing shelf and cooler space nationwide
A tale of two shoppers: How CPGs price in a K‑shaped economy
In a K-shaped economy where spending power splits in two, CPG brands must rethink pricing, value and channel strategy to win both high- and low-income grocery shoppers.
Smucker sues Trader Joe’s, as Uncrustables shifts from freezer to fridge
Smucker is retooling its $1B Uncrustables line for ready-to-eat convenience while battling knockoffs in the frozen PB&J arms race
Opinion
Your next cashier might be on food stamps
It’s time for US taxpayers to stop subsidizing corporations that fail to pay employees a living wage
Europe embraces blended proteins faster than the US, report finds
Blending animal and plant ingredients is emerging as a pragmatic path to scale protein diversification, says Food System Innovations
How Chobani is bringing ‘hunt culture’ to grocery retail
Chobani is translating hype and scarcity economics into everyday grocery categories, reframing its Flavor Drops creamer from a staple product into a discovery-driven experience
Kroger, Hy-Vee and UNFI make better-for-you private-label plays in 2026
Store brands nearly triple the dollar sales growth of national brands, as grocers position wellness-focused products to capture health-conscious shoppers
Mars, Danone and Mondelēz roll out star-studded Super Bowl ads
From celebrity cameos to cashback promos, food and beverage brands are pulling out all the stops ahead of kickoff
News Bites
Top 5 stories reshaping grocery value in 2026
The grocery value equation is evolving beyond simple price tags
World’s biggest snack companies: who’s really got the crunch in 2026
In a near-$700bn global market, a handful of companies now decide what scales, what sticks and what survives, and in 2026, the power gap is only widening
Amazon retreats in grocery with Fresh and Go closures across the US and UK
After years of testing AI checkouts and new store designs, Amazon is walking back its physical grocery ambitions to refocus on Whole Foods and experimental formats
Delayed gratification: Will Once Upon A Farm IPO bring investors back to the CPG sector?
As dealmaking slows and capital shifts to AI, the premium children’s food company is testing whether investors still have room for growth-stage CPG by touting its diverse portfolio, household penetration and steady year-over-year growth
What CPG investors want now: Growth, proof points and founders who won’t quit
Top VCs share what gets CPG brands funded
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
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