If only the cold food industry had a crystal ball and could look into the future to see how today’s consumers shop for tomorrow. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. Instead, cold food processors must rely on changing flavor profiles, sustainable efforts, new product development and an increased online presence to stay relevant on store shelves.
And, now that consumers are opening their wallets a bit more, they’re also shifting the nation’s buying habits. Price comparisons, coupons, loyalty rewards and social media continue to dominate the way consumers shop, while in-depth ingredient labels, sustainable packaging, local sourcing and innovative flavor profiles dictate how consumers shop.