Hot Trends in Retail: AI, Gen Z and the Future of Natural Products

In this episode of The Natural List, co-host Jessica Rubino teams up with New Hope Network Senior Retail Reporter Douglas Brown to dive into the hot retail trends shaping 2025. Whether it’s strategic merchandising for plant-based and non-alcoholic products or leveraging storytelling to connect with consumers around regenerative agriculture, this episode offers actionable insights to help retailers stay ahead. The discussion also explores generational shopping habits, including Gen Z’s interest in in-store experiences and the importance of community-building strategies among independent natural retailers. Watch now to learn about the transformative potential of AI in retail, key differentiators and trends in the independent retail landscape and how evolving consumer behaviors will redefine retail in the year ahead.