IRI’s 2021 New Product Pacesetters Report Highlights Continued Innovation Drives CPG Growth Despite the Pandemic
Innovative manufacturers navigated an uncertain year by focusing on new flavors and experiences, and household and personal cleanliness
Information Resources, Inc., a fast-growing global technology leader in innovative solutions and services for consumer, retail and media companies, released its 2021 New Product Pacesetters™, featuring the top new food and beverage and nonfood product launches. This is IRI’s 27th annual New Product Pacesetters report.
The unpredictability of the pandemic made the work of manufacturers even more difficult than in 2020, as COVID-19 and the resultant behavior of shoppers ebbed and flowed during 2021. Despite this and other challenges, this year’s New Product Pacesetters delivered an impressive $6 billion in aggregate Year 1 sales across food and beverage and nonfood products. Six of the top 10 Pacesetters in food and beverage included bubbles, in both alcohol and non-alcohol categories reflecting consumers’ desires to socialize at home. Among nonfoods, top Pacesetters reflect the importance of a clean home and healthy body.