Is the Era of Skimpflation Over?
Skimpflation describes manufacturers swapping premium ingredients for cheaper substitutes while keeping shelf prices steady, a practice that has flown under the consumer radar compared with the more visible shrinkflation. The tactic has long been justified by inflationary pressure and cost‑sensitive shoppers, but growing label scrutiny is prompting a reversal. Jell‑O launched the "Simply" line, eliminating synthetic dyes and cutting sugar by 25 %, and Kraft Heinz pledged to remove all certified synthetic colors from its portfolio by 2027. These moves signal a shift toward higher‑quality formulations as brands respond to demand for transparency.
Pricing Strategies Keep Cava Growing Amid Slowing Restaurant Sales
Cava reported a 9.7% same‑store sales increase and 32.2% revenue growth in Q1 2026, adding 72 net new stores to reach 459 locations. The chain kept core menu prices flat despite a 1.4% cost rise, boosting accessibility for price‑sensitive diners....
US Meat Prices Signal Strain in Beef, Stability Elsewhere
The Market Intel report shows beef retail prices surged to a record $9.64 per pound, a 13% year‑over‑year rise driven by the lowest cattle inventory in 75 years and higher live‑weight weights. Pork prices rose modestly, yet production now outpaces...
Inline Plastics Makes Grab-and-Go Easier with 6-Ounce Round Inserts
Inline Plastics unveiled the CC6R, a 6‑ounce round insert that slots into existing 12‑ounce and 16‑ounce cups. The design lets food operators keep components separate until the point of sale, preserving freshness, texture, and visual appeal. By adding a mid‑size...
Vitamin Shoppe COO on Omnichannel and AI Opportunities
The Vitamin Shoppe’s COO, Andrew Laudato, outlined an omnichannel strategy that treats its 650 U.S. stores as distribution hubs, enabling buy‑online‑ship‑from‑store (BOSS) fulfillment and same‑day delivery. The retailer pairs this network with AI tools, from Microsoft Copilot for staff productivity...
PS Seasoning Explores How Year Round Cooking Reshapes BBQ
PS Seasoning released its 2026 BBQ Trends Report, revealing that outdoor grilling is shifting from a seasonal pastime to a year‑round culinary experience. A Q1 survey of nearly 200 enthusiasts shows over 80% cook with barbecue flavors at least monthly,...
How Convenience Is Redefining Dairy Innovation
Convenience is reshaping dairy innovation as snacking shifts toward on‑the‑go formats. Brands are launching yogurt pouches, high‑protein cheese sticks, bite‑size ice‑cream and RTD drinks to meet demand for portable, health‑focused options. The trend is fueled by post‑pandemic habit changes, rising...
Champagne’s Future Lies in Innovation, Says De Saint-Gall
Champagne De Saint‑Gall’s cellar master Cédric Jacopin says the region’s future hinges on climate‑driven innovation while preserving its premium heritage. He highlights the cooperative’s hybrid scale—combining the resources of a major house with deep vineyard ties to over 2,300 growers....
London Wine Fair Records Strongest Show Since Covid
London Wine Fair, now owned by Vindustrious, posted its strongest post‑pandemic performance. Visitor attendance rose 8.2% to 10,539, surpassing the 10,000 mark for the first time in six years. Exhibitor numbers grew 9% to 475 with floor space expanding 13%,...
Salmones Austral Opens New Commercial Office in Japan
Salmones Austral inaugurated a Tokyo commercial office, branded Japón Austral, to run direct operations across Asia (excluding China). The move aims to tighten client relationships, speed up the supply chain and capture growth in the region’s demanding seafood market. With...
Added Fibre: Why Fortification Is Harder than It Looks
Adding fibre to foods and beverages can help close the consumer ‘fibre gap’, but the process is far more complex than a simple ingredient swap. Fibres differ widely in solubility, viscosity, and hydration, meaning a fibre that works in a...
What if Chocolate’s Flavour Was Never Really About Cocoa?
Cargill and Voyage Foods have introduced NextCoa, a cocoa‑free chocolate line that uses plant‑based ingredients and traditional chocolate processing to mimic cocoa flavor. The launch comes as cocoa futures trade at $8,000‑$9,000 per metric ton, roughly double the long‑term average,...
Varun Beverages, PepsiCo India Extend Bottling Pact Till 2049, Gets Wider Business Freedom
Varun Beverages Ltd has extended its exclusive bottling and trademark license agreement with PepsiCo India until April 30, 2049, adding a decade to the partnership. The revised contract removes a long‑standing clause that barred VBL from pursuing non‑PepsiCo businesses, granting the bottler...
Yum China Scales Kpro Concept Beyond 300 Locations
Yum China is rapidly expanding its light‑meal brand Kpro, which has just crossed the 300‑store threshold nationwide. The company aims to double that footprint to 600 locations by year‑end, leveraging the momentum of healthier, affordable dining trends in China. Kpro...
Eataly Launches La Piazza Dining Concept in Toronto
Eataly is rolling out a new dining concept called La Piazza in Toronto’s upscale Yorkville district. The venue will open at the chain’s Eaton Centre and Sherway Gardens locations, recreating an Italian public square with live music, surprise tastings, and...