Americans are enthusiastic about the winter holiday season and the important role chocolate and candy play in their traditions and celebrations, according to data released by the National Confectioners Association (NCA) and IRI. Total seasonal confectionery sales are up by 20% over last year, the NCA said in a statement, with winter holiday chocolate sales…

Market trends analyst IRI Worldwide found encouraging trends and promising opportunities for the convenience channel in its new report, “The Convenience Store Landscape Q3 2021.”  The convenience store channel has outperformed the broader market in each of the past three quarters, galvanized by increasing consumer mobility. Inflation and supply constraints continue to pose risks to…

For a number of years, the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) has argued that the “C” in its name could actually stand for community — and during the COVID-19 pandemic, shoppers seemed to agree. This emphasis on community offers important opportunities and challenges for convenience store operators, especially when it comes to meeting consumer…

By the end of 2021, functional beverage sales are expected to reach nearly $49 billion on the strength of pandemic trends as reported by Packaged Facts‘ new report “Functional Beverages: Market Trends and Opportunities.” The U.S. food and beverage industry has been impacted heavily by COVID-19. In 2020 especially, more people looked to improve their…

Due to the increasing adoption of cannabidiol-based products to treat ailments, the global cannabidiol (CBD) market is anticipated to grow at a lucrative rate over the next several years, according to the “Cannabidiol Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report” from Grand View Research published earlier this year. The report estimated that the global cannabidiol…

The steady, gradual growth of e-commerce dramatically accelerated during the pandemic, elevating the amount consumers spent shopping online to almost equal the amount consumers spent in stores. Now, with brick-and-mortar stores open across the U.S., online revenue growth is slowing down. At the same time, physical store sales have increased, rising to 64% of all…

The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) and Buy Safe America Coalition released a new report examining the rise in organized criminal activity targeting local retailers, quantifying the economic impact these crimes are having on local retailers and communities. Beyond the startling economic impact, the report also details the significant impact retail crimes are having on…

More than ever before, consumers are planning ahead for Thanksgiving by shopping early for key items, according to Chicago-based consumer, retail and media market watcher IRI Worldwide’s latest insights on Thanksgiving-related grocery trends. “The latest data also shows that shopping habits vary widely among consumers of different demographics, primarily across age groups and household income levels,”…

The Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA), the trade association representing the $200 billion U.S. store brand industry, announced that in collaboration with market analyst IRI, PLMA members now have access to near real-time customized market data. Utilizing IRI’s dynamic, user-friendly Unify data visualization platform, PLMA members and retailers can access store brand category, aisle and…

COVID-19 has heavily affected the U.S. food and beverage industry, especially driving consumers’ awareness of health and wellness, looking for products they view as better-for-you. In 2020, sales reached $39 billion on the strength of pandemic trends as reported by marketplace analyst Packaged Facts‘ report ”Better-for-You Snacks: Market Trends and Opportunities.” In 2020 especially, more…