MADISON, Wis. — Around the globe, 2017’s more volatile economy has taken effect on retail trends. Inflation curbs consumer spending, the “Trump Effect” is increasing wages but causing cautiously optimistic consumers, and Brexit’s globalization movement are some major influencers this year. These are just some of the hundreds of findings in the What’s in Store 2018, the latest edition of the annual trends publication of the International Dairy Deli Bakery Association™ (IDDBA), and What’s in Store Online, a collection of more than 150 downloadable tables, as well as white papers and trends articles.
Other findings in the book’s “Economy & Retail Trends” chapter include:
- Key issues that could affect US retail operations in 2017, including a macro landscape, healthcare, immigration, and the “Have Not Shopper” – emphasizing U.S. income inequality as one of the biggest opportunities and challenges for food retailers.
- Private label in the United States has evolved portfolios to create uniqueness, which establishes a consumer mindset of “high-quality” or “premiumized” products.
- Complete transparency makes for stronger brand loyalty, building a demand for locally-produced products.
- There is a focus on greater personalization of products to fit consumer lifestyles, such as value-added attributes (e.g., fresh, organic), positive benefits (e.g., energy, brain food), and social value (e.g., local, transparent).
“Shopper behavior is playing a direct role in the future of the retail food industry,” said Eric Richard, education coordinator, IDDBA. “From store design and online shopping options to increased sustainability and transparency in the products, retailers are creating an engaging atmosphere—both brick-and-mortar and online—and expanding their product lines to attract and retain today’s sophisticated shoppers.”
With more than 30 years of credible reporting, What’s in Store is an essential dairy-deli-supermarket foodservice-bakery-cheese resource providing vital data on the retail and market trends, growth, and category changes shaping the food industry. A secondary research report, What’s in Store is developed through both interviews with industry experts and sourcing of third-party data and trends. (A complete listing of sources can be found here.)
This year’s edition again features a continuous storyline to improve user efficiency and provide greater clarity for professionals needing to understand today’s retail world. Through four themes, readers gain new insights and learn about marketplace influences. They are:
- The Economy & Retail Trends
- Channels and Competition
- Consumer Lifestyles
- Eating Trends
This themed narrative is carried into each of the product chapters: Bakery, Cheese, Dairy, and Deli. The new format, exclusive interview content, and inclusion of key insights, table interpretations, data callouts, and testimonials enable the reader to more efficiently tie back to the broader context and then dig deeper in each of the product sections.
Additionally, What’s in Store 2018 features: redesigned tables; infographics that inform readers why the data matters; key insights; more original expert interviews; and more graphics to illustrate best-in-class examples.
IDDBA members receive a free copy of What’s in Store 2018 as part of their membership. Additional copies can be purchased for $99 (member rate) or $399 (nonmember rate). To purchase one or multiple copies, click here. To learn more about IDDBA membership and how it can help benefit your business, click here.
About IDDBA: IDDBA is a nonprofit membership organization serving the dairy, deli, bakery, cheese, and supermarket foodservice industries. Member companies enjoy exclusive benefits and services including the annual tradeshow, leading-edge research, training programs, management tools, and an annual trends report. For more information contact IDDBA at 608-310-5000 or visit iddba.org.
Source: International Dairy Deli Bakery Association™
