Kroger has released its 2023 Food Trends Report which predicts emerging food trends, consumer behaviors, and popular items for the year ahead. The fifth-annual report centers on the U.S.’s eat at home habits, and Americans' desire to make up for lost time from the pandemic by entertaining and cooking at home with family and friends.
"This is the year of celebration as we relish in being together with family and friends," said Stuart Aitken, SVP and chief merchant and marketing officer, in a statement. "In 2023, cooking at home remains a mainstay with customers gathering together to celebrate time lost and save money as inflation moderates."
The retailer has defined the following trends to anchor 2023 food sales:
Foods and flavors that make everyone happy. Across generations, curating a celebratory spread is top of mind for hosts and entertainers. Standbys such as cheese, cheesecake, and salt and pepper flavored items are more popular than ever with customers.
Products from Kroger brands in this category include Murray's Cave Aged Gruyere, Private Selection New York Style Cheesecake, and Private Selection Greek Olives & Feta Mix.
Making it easy on the host. Customers are looking for ease when it comes to everyday snacking, meal planning and hosting. Dips and dippers have emerged as a favorite, whether it's for a delicious snack or pleasing partygoers. Sweet snacks are also on the rise with customers jazzing up their traditional salty snacks or looking for an easy dessert option to contribute to a celebration.
Kroger products in this category include Kroger Chicken Salad, Simple Truth Organic Black Bean Dip, and Private Selection Hass Avocado Ranch Dip.
Making a meal special. At-home meals remain a staple with shoppers continuing to find ways to elevate their menus. During the pandemic, customers began engaging more with seafood and the grocer shares that the trend continues to grow.
Products in this category at Kroger include Private Selection Cold Smoked Alaskan Wild Sockeye Salmon, Home Chef Grilled Atlantic Salmon with Lemon Garlic Butter, and Kroger Savory Garlic Shrimp Scampi.
Celebrate our heritage. Foods and flavors from around the globe are being embraced as customer favorites. Families and friends are connecting over meals boasting ingredients that celebrate the diversity found in food.
Globally-inspired Kroger foods include Private Selection Argentinian Inspired Chimichurri Blend, Kroger Chinese Inspirations Chicken Fried Rice, and Private Selection Indian Inspired Tikka Masala Simmer Sauce.
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