Kerry has released findings from its latest research on North American consumer attitudes, behaviors and purchasing choices as they relate to food safety, sustainability and preventing food waste.  

As the coronavirus pandemic caused lockdowns and a number of office workers relocated to working at home full-time in 2020, many consumers began to spend most of their time at home and looked for more home-based activities. Baking activity took off, and subsequently, sales of baking-related products soared by 24% last year to reach to $26.5 billion, reports market research firm Packaged Facts in the new report Home Baking: US Market Trends & Opportunities.

A year ago, almost nobody could have imagined how dramatically everyone’s life would change in 2020. What we eat, how we purchase it, and how we prepare and eat it are among the most far-reaching impacts we have seen because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In many countries, including those in Europe and North America, COVID-related disruptions remain the most relevant driver of foodservice performance in the near term. The pandemic has accelerated several strategic elements of the foodservice industry, which will continue to drive agendas even after the current crisis ends.

Acosta, an integrated sales and marketing services provider in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry, released findings from its most recent COVID-19 shopper insights study. The research found that while the pandemic concern level is finally on the decline, shoppers acknowledge it will be a long time before things return to normal. Shopping and eating behaviors dramatically changed last year, and many shoppers plan to continue those new habits post-COVID-19.

New research from IRI®, a global leader in innovative solutions and services for consumer, retail and media companies, found that small and extra-small CPG manufacturers’ and retailers’ own brands gained US market share over larger players during 2020. Of the CPG industry’s $933 billion of total US sales in measured channels in 2020, large manufacturers collectively lost 1.3 share points, or $12.1 billion in sales, to smaller players due to channel shifts, supply constraints and category shifts.

Mintel announced three key trends for the global food, drink, and foodservice industries, including analysis, insights, and recommendations centered around the now, the next, and the future of consumer behavior.

Labor-saving, convenient, and on-trend—demand for value-added egg products is growing as formulators and restaurant chains find more than a handful of reasons to fit the various forms of prepared eggs into the manufacturing or food preparation cycle.

US Foods Holding Corp. announced the introduction of its "Make It This Winter" platform. The platform offers a collection of valuable resources, including one-on-one consultations with US Foods experts, informational webinars, new outdoor dining products, and updated online materials and tools for restaurant operators to tackle the ongoing challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Coefficient Capital and The New Consumer worked with Toluna, Inc. to survey 3,500+ US consumers on shifting behaviors resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey, conducted in November 2020, asked consumers about their spending habits, consumption patterns and other behaviors related to food & beverage, fitness, alcohol and beauty.