US supermarket giant Kroger has identified five top food trends for next year, reflecting changing consumer behaviours.
The first trend is Food Dupes. Kroger predicts consumers will more consistently choose store-brand alternatives to national brands. Customers enjoy the high-quality and cost advantages that buying private label products offers, and they turn to them for ‘dupes’ (duplicates) of their restaurant and CPG favourites.
Bold & Briny is ranked second, showing customers are finding new methods to combine acidic, salty, and fermented flavours into their meals to improve freshness, brightness, and texture.
The Protein Renaissance trend will emerge next year as consumers look to sustain energy levels throughout the day while also supporting overall wellness. While conventional staples like chicken, yoghurt, and cottage cheese remain popular, Kroger predicts a growing interest in collagen and a wider incorporation of plant-based proteins like beans, lentils, and hemp seeds into daily meals.
Customers can also join the Pepper Palette, which explores how heat enhances flavour and delves into spices and peppers from various cuisines, like Calabrian chiles, guajillo peppers, and hatch chiles.
Finally, Caesar Salad Creativity is peaking. Beyond typical salads and wraps, Caesar dressing recipes for pizza, spaghetti, and a variety of leafy greens other than romaine lettuce are becoming popular.
“Next year is all about flavour – with hot peppers continuing to rise, fermented flavours quickly growing in popularity, and staples like Caesar finding new adaptations in the kitchen,” said Juan De Paoli, VP of Our Brands for Kroger.
“Whether customers are looking to try a new dupe on a viral favourite or explore the real power of protein, Kroger is excited to offer Our Brands products that give customers a taste of their favourite trends.”
