Grocery retail trends continue to evolve as the overall retail landscape shifts. As we approach 2023, we’re looking at three top consumer trends that grocery retailers and manufacturers are watching.
1. Affordable nutrition
According to an Innova Insights study, Canadians are “turning their attention to simple but nutritious goods that are affordable.” A jar of dry, roasted, unsalted peanuts retails for approximately $.086/100 grams, whereas a jar of all-natural peanut butter can cost as little as $1.00/100 grams.
Per serving (50 grams of peanuts; 1 tbsp of peanut butter), both peanuts and peanut butter are chock-full of necessary vitamins and minerals, including fibre, niacin, manganese, vitamin E, copper, magnesium, folate, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, vitamin B6 and more.
As prices continue to rise, these affordable and nutrient-dense staples could become even more important to a growing number of price-conscious consumers.
2. Plant-based lifestyle on repeat
Consumers’ continued focus on living a sustainable lifestyle means more opportunities to deliver on the demand. Not only is the plant-based lifestyle trend top-of-mind, the global vegan and vegetarian protein market is set to exceed $6 billion by 2023.
Plant-based proteins like tofu, seitan and tempeh-based options continue to be in high demand. Peanuts are also an option for those looking for plant-based and protein-rich options. With 9.5 grams of protein per 37 grams, peanuts boast the highest protein content of all other nuts, making them an ideal meat replacement.
To encourage plant-based consumers to consider peanut products, grocery retailers should consider placing peanuts within the produce and salad sections of stores, or pair peanuts with common carb-staples like oats and noodles, to serve as a high-protein addition.
3. Functional foods
Functional foods offer health benefits beyond basic nutrition. Think omega-3 enriched eggs, probiotic yogurt, or antioxidant-rich dark chocolate. Nuts and nut butters, like peanuts and peanut butter, are excellent functional ingredients manufacturers can easily include in products in 2023.