Fine-Tune the Annual Data Dump and Find Direction for 2026

Category Partners Shows Suppliers the Smart Way to Plan for the Coming Year

IDAHO FALLS, ID – Planning for 2026 is in full swing, and as fresh produce suppliers prepare their 2026 category strategies, many go through motions and rituals established in years past. There are dense year-end reports. There is a lot of data. But there is little direction.

Category Partners is here to help. The insights and analytics firm specializing in fresh, helps numerous clients turn passive reporting to action-ready strategies for driving retail outcomes. Without clear goals, good data and a firm understanding of what consumers want, category strategies lack focus and misfire at retail.

There are three consistent gaps that derail supplier strategies: 

• Vague objectives
• Low data confidence 
• Weak shopper insights 

“There’s a wide gap between reporting and strategy,” said Julie DeWolf, Senior Vice President of Business Development at Category Partners. “Suppliers can load up on data outputs while underinvesting in what the retailer needs: clear priorities, reliable insight and a clear view of shopper behaviors.”

Start with Clear, Measurable Objectives 

Category Partners believes that strong strategies define success in concrete terms. Increased velocity. Improved shopper penetration. Whatever the metric, it should speak to both brand and retail performance. 

You don’t have to go it alone. Category Partners helps its clients set measurable, shared goals to benefit both supplier and retailer, aligning internal business priorities, insight and plans for action.

Hone the Data for Decisive Action 

Disparate, siloed data undermines supplier credibility. Category Partners regularly encounters teams that are overwhelmed with information and uncertain of what to trust. This delays decisions and leaves missed opportunities in your rearview mirror. 

High-quality information is the foundation of every pricing, promotion and assortment decision. With data integration and reporting via CP Conduit, suppliers gain clean, integrated and accurate insight they can act on. 

Uncover the “Why” Behind Shopper Behavior

Shopper behavior informs the “why” behind the numbers. Without understanding missions, trip types, and need states, supplier data won’t relate to retail realities.  Category Partners brings research capabilities to complete the picture, linking behavioral insight to strong execution. With shopper-driven frameworks that blend analytics with contextual decision making, Category Partners has a track record of helping suppliers win assortment, retain distribution and influence retailer decisions.

“Numbers on a slide deck aren’t enough. Suppliers need to show a strategy that grows the category,” said Tom Barnes, CEO of Category Partners. “It starts with clean and contextual data, but a plan of action requires goals that matter and a good read on the shopper.”

Review your 2026 strategies with Category Partners.

A partner’s perspective can make the difference when developing and evaluating smart strategies for 2026. Deep retail experience and shopper understanding will help to validate your data, strengthen objectives and develop plans that lead to real and positive action. Before you finalize, talk to Category Partners and make sure your strategy is ready for retail.

About Category Partners  

Category Partners is a full-service insights and analytics firm specializing in the fresh food space. With deep expertise across produce, deli, bakery, meat, and seafood, Category Partners helps suppliers, commodity boards and retailers unlock growth through strategic category management, consumer research and data-driven storytelling. From shopper insights to assortment strategies and marketing activation, Category Partners turns complex data into clear direction. Headquartered in Idaho Falls, Idaho, the company partners with clients across North America to elevate performance, sharpen positioning and drive results at retail. Learn more at www.categorypartners.com.