The Kroger Co., Cincinnati, (NYSE:KR) and Lindsay Goldberg, a New York-based private investment firm, formed PearlRock Partners, a new platform that will identify, invest in and help grow the next generation of leading consumer product brands.

Buying local had the highest awareness among U.S. consumers, topping the charts at 46%, according to a study produced by Nielsen, Chicago.

It is essential for retailers to understand the shopping preferences of their target audience to design the right shopping experience that appeals to their customers, according to the “2019 Consumer Shopping Habits – The Generation Gap” report, produced by BRP Consulting, Boston.

Kerry Ingredients, Beloit, Wis., released a report that identifies functional ingredient trends, innovations and reformulation opportunities.

The report, “Consumers Buy The Change They Wish To See in The World,” produced by Catalina, St. Petersburg, Fla., found that natural and organic ingredients and certifications serve as the entry level point for nearly every market when it comes to sustainability attributes.

Inpixon, Palo Alto, Calif., announced a technology integration collaboration with SAS, a Cary, N.C.-based provider of advanced analytics software (SAS).

Evergreen Packaging, Memphis, Tenn., released a white paper, "2019 Food and Beverage Packaging Trends," based on data from the annual EcoFocus Trend Study.

Globant, San Francisco, released its 2018 Q4 Sentinel Report to help organizations maintain relevance through the observation of market trends, insights and industry behaviors across the globe.

Nearly two-thirds of consumers (63%) globally prefer to buy goods and services from companies that stand for a shared purpose that reflects their personal values and beliefs, according to new research from Accenture, New York.