Media Coverage

People on the Move

January 06, 2021

Crain’s is the place to showcase your Chicago-area job changes and board appointments.

The pandemic’s new chefs and foodies: How the health crisis shaped what we cook and crave

January 06, 2021

Americans have made more meals at home, expanded their palates with new flavors and gravitated toward premium items as an indulgence or healthier option during the coronavirus pandemic.

The pandemic’s new chefs and foodies: How the health crisis shaped what we cook and crave

Instacart rivals get a boost as Bay Area embraces online groceries

January 06, 2021

With long lines at stores and alarm over the coronavirus spreading, online grocery shopping has gotten supercharged. Instacart’s value doubled this year to $17.7 billion, and Amazon’s grocery-delivery orders tripled in the three months after shelter-in-place.

Instacart rivals get a boost as Bay Area embraces online groceries

The Coronavirus-Era Shopping Response to a Downturn: Trade Up

December 16, 2020

Consumers across income brackets use savings to splurge on high-end items; three $10,000 watches, ‘gilt gifting’

The Coronavirus-Era Shopping Response to a Downturn: Trade Up

Grocery Shoppers Seeking Out More Variety In Food Choices During Pandemic, But Expert Says Boon For Stores Won’t Last After Vaccines Arrive

December 03, 2020

One sector of society keeping an especially close eye on the vaccine timeline is grocers.

Grocery Shoppers Seeking Out More Variety In Food Choices During Pandemic, But Expert Says Boon For Stores Won’t Last After Vaccines Arrive

Toilet paper limits, empty shelves are back as virus surges

November 18, 2020

A surge of new coronavirus cases in the U.S. is sending people back to stores to stockpile again, leaving shelves bare and forcing retailers to put limits on purchases.

Toilet paper limits, empty shelves are back as virus surges

Grocery shoppers trade up from dried beans and rice to premium foods as Covid cases rise

November 13, 2020

Grocery shoppers are gravitating toward premium products such as specialty chocolate and gourmet pasta sauce as coronavirus cases rise across the country, according to data from market research firm IRI.

Grocery shoppers trade up from dried beans and rice to premium foods as Covid cases rise

Some grocery stores are limiting toilet paper and disinfecting wipe purchases again

November 13, 2020

Several leading grocery chains are reimposing limits on key items such as toilet paper, paper towels and disinfecting wipes, hoping to keep their shelves stocked and prevent shoppers from hoarding as they did when the pandemic began in the spring.

Some grocery stores are limiting toilet paper and disinfecting wipe purchases again

Some Grocers Bring Back Purchase Limits as Covid-19 Cases Rise

November 13, 2020

Retailers say there is higher demand for some staples, but shoppers aren’t stockpiling as much as they did in the spring

Some Grocers Bring Back Purchase Limits as Covid-19 Cases Rise

Bottoms up: How grocers can keep alcohol sales pouring in

November 12, 2020

As the coronavirus pandemic boosts category sales, retailers are setting the table for long-term shopper engagement with larger departments and expanded online availability.

Bottoms up: How grocers can keep alcohol sales pouring in

Once mocked, nonalcoholic beer creates a buzz as traditional brew sales stagnate

November 12, 2020

New offerings from brands like Guinness and Budweiser are flooding the space as the segment, which pulls in nearly $200 million in sales, suddenly heats up.

Once mocked, nonalcoholic beer creates a buzz as traditional brew sales stagnate

Scavenger hunts, treats dangling from a tree and COVID-19 maps: Candy makers get creative to save Halloween

September 22, 2020

Candy companies, including Hershey and Ferrero, say they are hopeful that kids will still trick-or-treat and adults will seek out sweets, even if their Halloween celebration is simpler or socially distanced because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Scavenger hunts, treats dangling from a tree and COVID-19 maps: Candy makers get creative to save Halloween

Why Americans love cheese

September 15, 2020

Americans are eating more cheese than ever, even as Americans drink less milk every year. Cheese’s popularity can be traced to the rise of fast food and pizza in America but also innovations and new products in grocery store dairy aisles.

Understanding what today’s eco-conscious food consumers want

September 09, 2020

Series of posts looking at how food companies, retailers and foodservice operators can reach four key consumer archetypes that are shaping the industry today.

Understanding what today’s eco-conscious food consumers want

8 Supermarket Staples That Are Still Hard to Find

September 03, 2020

Pandemic shortages go beyond toilet paper and disinfectants, especially if the product comes in a can

8 Supermarket Staples That Are Still Hard to Find

Big CPGs struggle to gain market share during COVID-19 despite sales boost

September 01, 2020

IRI data shows while large manufacturers grabbed shelf space at the height of the pandemic, upstarts are taking advantage of out-of-stocks and demand for variety to win it back.

Big CPGs struggle to gain market share during COVID-19 despite sales boost

With Stimulus Checks on Hold, Americans Are Spending Less at the Grocery Store

August 27, 2020

End to extra unemployment benefits among reasons for recent dip in food spending

With Stimulus Checks on Hold, Americans Are Spending Less at the Grocery Store

Sales shifts prompt changes within convenience channel

August 25, 2020

Despite dip in overall beverage sales, various categories performing well in c-stores

Sales shifts prompt changes within convenience channel

Why Are There Still Not Enough Paper Towels?

August 25, 2020

Blame lean manufacturing. A decadeslong effort to eke out more profit by keeping inventory low left many manufacturers unprepared when Covid-19 struck. And production is unlikely to ramp up significantly any time soon.