Glenn Pappalardo

Plant-based products mature beyond analogs, jerky turns crispy and frozen moves further into premium territory. Across center store and sweets, brands pushed format, function and sensory intensity to capture what’s next.

PLMA’s North American show made one thing clear: it’s never been easier to launch a “good enough” product. As private label and fast followers close the gap, branded players face new pressures—and new opportunities—heading into 2026.

In a landscape where most new launches fail, innovation doesn’t always mean starting from scratch. By revisiting past ideas with fresh data and intent, brands can uncover faster, lower-risk paths to growth and renewed relevance.

Because today’s supply chains are so deeply interconnected, what might once have been a localized issue now ricochets around the world, turning isolated disruptions into cascading headaches of increasing scale.