CINCINNATI, Dec. 17, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kroger Co.
(NYSE: KR), America's largest grocery retailer, today announced the
top 10 trending foods of 2020, as well as its food trend
predictions for 2021.
Based on year-over-year sales growth across Kroger's business,
including nearly 2,800 retail stores and pickup, delivery and ship,
the trending foods and beverages of 2020 included:
- Zero-Calorie Soft Drinks
- Four-Cheese Mexican Blend Shredded Cheese
- Flavored Potato Chips (Hot & Spicy, Regional Flavors &
Meal-Inspired Varieties)
- Sauvignon Blanc Wine
- Heavy Whipping Cream
- Fresh Burger Patties
- Artisan Breads & Restaurant-Style Buns
- Bulk Individual Coffee Pods (96-Count)
- Party-Size Bags of Variety Chocolate
- Black Forest Ham
"The most-popular foods and beverages of 2020 underscore how our
customers not only adapted to the challenges of this unique year
but embraced cooking and eating at home as part of their new
routine," said Stuart Aitken,
Kroger's chief merchant. "As many of our customers
transitioned to working from home and virtual schoolrooms this
year, coffee, fresh deli meat and artisan bread emerged as go-to
staples for elevated breakfast and lunch routines, while
zero-calorie soft drinks, unique potato chip flavors, wine and
chocolate stood out as comfort-food favorites. Fresh ground beef,
premium buns and shredded cheese also rose in popularity as our
customers recreated their favorite restaurant-style burgers at
home."
In addition to the look back at the trending grocery purchases
of 2020, Kroger unveiled its top seven food trend predictions for
2021, thoughtfully curated by its culinary experiences team and
Our Brands product developers, chefs and innovators.
"Many of our customers rediscovered their passion for cooking
and baking at home in 2020 and aspire to eat more healthy foods and
explore more unique tastes and flavors in the year ahead,"
continued Aitken. "We're excited about what Our Brands will
offer customers in the new year through innovation and by
delivering the fresh, flavorful and on-trend foods they expect from
Kroger's industry-leading portfolio of brands."
The latest tastes and freshest trends can be found on Kroger.com
and in the aisles where customers shop for Simple
Truth®, Kroger's natural, organic and free-from
brand, Kroger®, customer favorites that exceed
expectations while fitting budgets, and Private
Selection®, a collection of culinary creations
designed to elevate every occasion.
Kroger's Top Seven Food Trend Predictions for 2021:
1. Futureproof Foods
From immune defense to mood management, consumers are
increasingly looking for flavor and functionality in their
favorite foods and beverages, especially as the nation continues to
navigate a public health crisis. As "futureproofing" and
"biohacking" trends continue to accelerate in 2021, shoppers can
expect to see more foods with added benefits to support immune
health, gut and brain health, energy levels and stress
management.
Products to try: Simple Truth Superfoods Almond Butter,
Simple Truth Elderberry Gummies, Simple Truth Organic Sparkling
Probiotic Kefir Water, Kroger Hydro GO Caffeinated Water
2. Seeking Comfort
Easy-to-prepare comfort foods are on the rise as consumers look
to balance convenience and quick preparation times with flavorful
meal options. To help cope with the added stress many faced in
2020, consumers are also increasingly turning to home baking as a
mood booster and mental escape.
Products to try: Simple Truth Tomato Basil Quick Cook
Risotto, Private Selection Deep Dish Chocolate Chunk Cookie,
Private Selection Bronze Cut Decadent Gouda with Aged White Cheddar
Creamy Macaroni & Cheese, Private Selection Brown Butter
Bourbon Truffle Ice Cream
3. Ketotarian Foods
High-protein eating styles like keto have skyrocketed in
popularity, creating a conundrum for consumers who want to explore
the trend, but find it difficult to balance the low-carb, high-fat
dietary guidelines with a desire to consume more vegetables and
plant-based foods. Enter the "ketotarian" diet: a plant-based spin
on traditional keto guidelines. Consumers can expect to find a
growing selection of these plant-based, high-protein foods on
grocery shelves in the year ahead.
Products to try: Simple Truth Keto Cheddar Cheese Crisps,
Simple Truth Keto Chocolate Chip French Ice Cream, Simple Truth
Puff Bunz, Simple Truth Popped BBQ Protein Crisps, Simple Truth
Emerge Plant Based (Beef) Patties and Grinds
4. Global Flavors and Restaurant Favorites Hit Home
According to 84.51°, Kroger's data and analytics subsidiary,
more than 60% of Kroger shoppers are spending more time cooking at
home. This trend will only accelerate in 2021, as consumers spice
up their weekly routines by experimenting with global flavors and
recipes that recreate their favorite travel experiences or
restaurant meals at home.
Products to try: Kroger Season & Sauce Ancho Chile
with Rojo Mole Meatloaf Kit, Kroger Prime Seasonings Sweet
Smokehouse Season & Rub, Private Selection Mole Negro Cooking
Sauce, Kroger Pad Thai Stir Fry Kit, Private Selection
Indian-Inspired Jalfrezi Coconut Curry Simmer Sauce
5. Mushroom Mania
2021 will be a breakout year for mushrooms. The versatile
vegetable is rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, and can
easily elevate everyday recipes with its warm umami flavor.
Consumers should expect to see mushrooms play a starring role in a
variety of new products in 2021, including blended plant-based
proteins, condiments, spices, seasonings and more.
Products to try: Simple Truth Quick Cook Mushroom
Risotto, Simple Truth Organic Mushroom Umami Herb Seasoning Rub,
Simple Truth Natural Blend Beef & Mushroom Patties, Private
Selection Grilled Mushroom & Truffle Oil Thin Crust Pizza
6. For the Planet
Consumers are more interested than ever before in the
environmental impact of their lifestyle choices. According to a
recent survey from 84.51°, 35% of Kroger shoppers strongly agree
they are more conscious of food waste since the onset of COVID-19
and more than half plan to continue taking steps to limit food
waste after the pandemic. In the coming year, consumers will find a
growing selection of eco-friendly products that reduce their carbon
footprint, including plant-based and plant-blended meats,
sustainably packaged products and more.
Products to try: Simple Truth Emerge Plant Based Chick'n
Patties, Simple Truth Emerge Plant Based (Beef) Patties and Grinds,
Simple Truth Organic Roasted Seaweed Snack, Simple Truth Organic
Air-Chilled Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs, Simple Truth Organic
Lentil Dal Soup
7. Fresh Innovation
Forget Silicon Valley—consumers can find the latest emerging
technology in their local produce aisles. From no-cry onions to
in-store hydroponic farms to plant-based coatings like Apeel™ that
extend the shelf life of produce, shoppers will see more innovative
solutions launch in the coming year to help keep their favorite
fruits and vegetables at the peak of freshness longer.
Products to try: Simple Truth Organic Honeycrisp Apples,
Kroger Happy Eyes Sweet Onions, Kroger Fresh Avocados, Kroger Fresh Limes
To view photography of Kroger's trending products of 2020 as
well as 2021 food predictions, visit here.
About The Kroger Co.
At The Kroger Co.
(NYSE: KR), we are Fresh for Everyone™ and dedicated to our
Purpose: To Feed the Human Spirit®. We are, across
our family of companies, nearly half a million associates who serve
over 11 million customers daily through a seamless shopping
experience under a variety of banner names. We are committed
to creating #ZeroHungerZeroWaste communities by 2025. To learn more
about us, visit our newsroom and investor
relations site.
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SOURCE The Kroger Co.