Lauren Sabetta

Although big chains are announcing their fall special arrivals earlier than ever, independent restaurants have already beat them to it, adding pumpkin menu items beginning mid-summer.

As consumer trends continue to impact the coffee market, experts note that the overall category is shifting gears to meet consumers’ changing preferences.

Although convenience stores are facing challenges such as a decrease in commuting replaced by work from home, labor shortages and inflation, experts note that in-store sales are playing a key role in the channel’s growth.

As consumers rapidly switch to healthier alternatives and embrace prevention as a tool for living a better lifestyle, experts note that interest in botanicals and adaptogens is on the rise. 

Within the beverage industry, when it comes to efforts that support sustainability and a circular economy, experts stress the importance of considering how label materials affect the recyclability of packaging.

With rising consumer demand for drinks made with natural ingredients, experts note that beverage-makers are turning to fruit and vegetable ingredients to deliver functional drinks that meet consumers’ growing need states.

As automated guided vehicles (AGVs) are one type of technology to help overcome labor shortages in the warehouse, experts note the technology provides operators a means to fill the resource gap, allowing human labor to be allocated to more complex tasks.

Health-Ade Kombucha has benefited from the momentum in consumer health and wellness trends as the company crafts high-quality kombucha through its use of organic ingredients.

With growing awareness of the connections between individual health and that of nature or the environment, such interests are prompting more consumers to seek out clean label and non-GMO beverages.

This year’s State of the Industry report on energy drinks notes that with increased popularity and a wide variety of products, the U.S. energy drinks market continues to show its dominance.