Market Trends

As gluten-free foods continue to gain in consumer popularity and store-shelf prominence, manufacturers are offering a wider range of products to appeal to those suffering from celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, and their families, as well as to shoppers who wish simply to reduce or eliminate their gluten intake. Following are some recently introduced offerings:

Retail same-store sales excluding Walmart sagged slightly to a 2.9 percent gain in July, hurt by a tough promotional environment and the diverging spending intentions of shoppers by income group.

Consumer interest in food and beverages that offer health benefits is greater than, or similar to, interest in vitamins and supplements that provide the same health-and-wellness benefits, according to a new global study conducted by New York-based Ipsos Marketing, Consumer Goods.

The Food Marketing Institute (FMI) expressed support for the U.S. Senate’s passage last week of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, which, according to the Arlington, Va.-based trade organization, “ensure[s] low-income children continue to receive nutritious meals through the federal food program.”

Experts at Hiller’s Markets will help parents navigate the store to find the appropriate cereals to give babies, and the best fruits and vegetables to introduce, as well as how to prepare them.

Brookshire Grocery Co.-owned and Super 1 Foods & Discount Pharmacy stores is looking to make packing a healthy school lunch easy with its “Super Fun Lunch” box value meals that are prepared and sold in the deli and are based mainly on NuVal scores.

Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market has embarked on an ambitious plan to reduce water consumption in its stores by 30 percent through the use of EnviroTower water-conditioning technology.

New data shows digital coupons grew 100 percent -- with savings totaling more than $1 billion -- during the year ending June 30.