Insights from a two-and-a-half-year series of consumer sentiment tracking surveys by Rich Products (Rich’s) chart a clear course for retailers to capitalize on this momentum through more healthy options among their fresh bakery offerings, greater variety, and smaller, more affordable portion sizes. 

The early stages of the pandemic disrupted this rhythm, and just as eating patterns were returning to pre-pandemic normalcy, food inflation set them on end again, reports The NPD Group in its recently released 2022 edition of Eating Patterns in America. 

Over the last year, cost and value for money have become more important to more than half of food and beverage consumers worldwide. Today’s shoppers are increasingly exploring money-saving strategies, such as choosing lower cost items and cooking from scratch.

In a fall from last month, 46% of shoppers are feeling uncomfortable with their finances while 64% still report looking for sales, deals or coupons. Fifty-four percent are cutting back on non-essentials and 63% are cutting back on areas besides groceries, such as clothing and entertainment. Customers are still making changes to avoid price increases.

Misfits Market, the online grocery platform focused on accessibility, affordability, and sustainability, launched its first-ever private label, Odds & Ends. The launch of Misfits Market’s private label – which currently includes pantry staples such as coffee and snacks like nuts, dried fruit, and dark chocolate-covered mini pretzels – ensures Misfits Market’s customers can easily stock up on all of their favorite high-quality, affordable groceries during their weekly shop.

The Ship-to-Home segment experienced the largest sales contraction, plummeting over 30% in March compared to a year ago, from $2.1 billion to $1.4 billion. The decline was driven by a 13% reduction in the number of orders placed by Monthly Active Users combined with a 23% drop in the average order value.

What some thought was temporary adaptation to an unexpected retail store challenge, has proven to be a transformational period for our industry with eCommerce in the forefront.

With open access to information, home cooking has never been more adventurous with kitchen cooks delving deeper into smaller regions across the globe to understand and adapt any nuance of spices or sauces that create something special to try.