As the fresh produce industry prepares for the IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show in Anaheim, evolving forces are shaping what success will look like for the perimeter. In an environment defined by rapid change, inflationary pressures and increasingly discerning shoppers, suppliers and retailers alike are under pressure to pivot fast and perform. Category Partners is helping its clients do both.
"This isn't just a time of change, it's a moment to rethink how we connect with consumers and buyers," said Tom Barnes, CEO of Category Partners. "The companies who will win are those using and interpreting the data to look forward."
© Category Partners
Here are three retail trends the company is watching closely as the industry heads into IFPA Global:
- Operational efficiency is now a selling point: Retailers increasingly favor suppliers who provide operational excellence in addition to great products. As expectations rise, product availability, logistics reliability and supply chain visibility are major differentiators. A proven track record matters, but data makes the difference. The company works towards helping clients improve performance and build trust by speaking the language of retail execution. This includes connecting and integrating field-level, logistics and financial data into performance dashboards that reveal efficiencies and highlight the full value of a supplier's partnership.
- Shoppers want to know the why: Shoppers are wary of buzzwords. Claims like "organic" or "sustainable" may still draw attention, but they no longer guarantee trust or justify higher prices on their own. Consumers want proof, clarity and real meaning behind the label. This shift is forcing retailers and suppliers to rethink how they talk about their products. To understand which messages resonate and which ones fall flat, the company is conducting research on behalf of clients, including consumer testing, focus groups, surveys and custom studies.
- Retailers are raising the bar on supplier relationships: With consumer attitudes changing and operational expectations rising, buyers are placing a premium on suppliers who bring insight, reliability and shared strategy to the table. This shift is changing the rules of engagement, and retailers are making sharper distinctions between vendors and true partners.
Category Partners is working with clients to help strengthen their standing with buyers by arriving prepared with category-specific data, market intelligence and retailer-focused solutions that show alignment with shared goals.
The takeaway of this is clear that success in today's produce industry demands operational excellence, clear messaging and partnerships that bring value beyond the sale.
The company's leadership will be on-site throughout the IFPA Global Show and is currently scheduling in-person meetings to talk about these and other trends affecting the fresh food category.
For more information:
Category Partners
www.categorypartners.com
