What it was like in 2021: full of surprises, learnings, challenges and more time at home. As we begin a new year, we have some indications of what welfare will look like in 2021. Here are some of the welfare trends that are expected for the new year and that retailers should address to take advantage of well of its customers.
Foods of plant origin
Plants continue to take center stage more often on customer plates than in previous years. Rising meats, dairy-free cheese, milk alternatives, and even bean-based “eggs” have led the pack when it comes to plant-based options that compete with traditional cuisine based on animals. The core of herbal food is to show recognizable ingredients in familiar products, but with a touch. Take, for example, Birds Eye buffalo-style cauliflower wings, Telineut Treeline cheese, tasty Portabella Wild Jerky or Banza chickpea elbow paste.
Think about your dealer if it makes more sense to integrate plant-based options close to conventional products or if an independent natural food area would have more traffic on foot. Offer assortments that always include one or more vegetable alternatives, such as milk-free margarines, dairy-free cream dressings, jelly-free jelly desserts, or vegan frozen pizzas.
Emphasis on the kitchen
Millions of homes this year have seen more working from home and more time dedicated to our kitchens than ever before. Help eager home cooks who may want easier food ideas or recipes in their arsenal, or find ways to close the gap in food preparation through food kits for consumers accustomed to ordering takeaway food.
Partner with your teams of dietitians and chefs, the communications department, digital staff and internal media experts to create engaging virtual cooking demonstrations on your website with best-selling articles or products that will be promoted that week in the circular .
Food security
Awareness of the origin of food and improved food safety practices increased in 2021. Transparency when it comes to growing, sourcing, packaging and transporting food will continue to be important to consumers in 2021. Many shoppers may favor individually wrapped options for their favorite products and more packaging in places like delicatessens and grocery stores. production, where there could be more chances of manipulation of employees or customers.
Consider these needs by offering single-serving packaging of cakes or sliced fruit, following food safety protocols and social distancing measures in your stores.
Telesalut
The advancement of expanded telecare services in 2021 is in line with the ideal grocery store to perform a dual service as a food and wellness destination. Pharmacies are found in a plethora of grocery stores and offer more urgent care, nutrition, biometrics, mental health and even COVID-19 testing services to retailers. Kroger Health offers access to individual telenutrition appointments with registered dietitians in most parts of the country, while also operating The Little Clinic, which offers virtual care visits with a practicing nurse or physician assistant to address minor illnesses or concerns. Meanwhile, HEB provides jeans with a free home delivery of prescription drugs in certain areas.
As we change the calendar to a new year, we can prepare to better serve our customers by recognizing their wellness needs over the next 12 months. Pay more attention to plant-based foods, with an emphasis on cooking, food safety and telehealth to win over your customers.