Fresh Pulse: Meal Making and Mood Lifting

Inflation is driving us back to CPG retail for food-at-home solutions. But even as shoppers seek to save, they’re still finding ways to elevate their meals and their mood with affordable indulgences. IRI’s fresh expert Jonna Parker, principal of IRI’s Fresh Center of Excellence, and Anne-Marie Roerink, president of research company 210 Analytics, share new behaviors and strategies for connecting with shoppers.     Highlights    In most channels, fresh is one of the few categories where shoppers typically purchase only as much as they need. Yet club and mass channels offer the allure of volume discounts from larger pack sizes, pointing to a bifurcation of the marketplace.   Inspired by social media, consumers are still turning to deli-prepared platters and charcuterie boards for meal and entertaining solutions. These options give retailers and manufacturers an opportunity to connect with shoppers, especially younger ones, where they’re already engaged.   Consumers are still looking for small indulgences during periods of high inflation, often to lift their spirits. Retailers can help with unique, premium, yet still affordable products.