CINCINNATI, Jan. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kroger Co.
(NYSE: KR), America's largest grocery retailer, today announced its
2022 Food Trends Report, which predicts emerging food trends,
consumer behaviors and popular items for the year ahead. This
fourth-annual report centers on the continued dominance of at-home
meals, powered by convenience, affordability, social gatherings,
and the desire for sustainable and nutrient-rich food items.
Kroger's 2022 Food Trends Report is thoughtfully curated by
Kroger's food experts – from Our Brands product developers
to culinary specialists. The report contains 10 top trends that
will influence consumer food purchases in 2022, while uncovering
the "why" behind the trends. Overall, the trends can be broken down
into emerging flavors, food item premiumization, and behavior
shifts, all of which paint a picture of what consumers are sourcing
and the ways in which they are preparing food in 2022. The findings
show that consumers continue to have an increased passion for
home-prepared meals, an awareness of both their own health and the
planet's, and a desire to seek comfort through food, which directly
correlates to what will be on shopping lists this year.
"Last year, even as many Americans returned to work and eased
back into social gatherings, it became apparent that new habits
were formed in 2020 and that they are here to stay – including
cooking more at home. Customers are enjoying the convenience,
affordability and just plain fun that comes from preparing meals at
home," said Stuart Aitken, Kroger's
senior vice president, chief merchant and marketing officer. "As at
home meals remain a staple, Kroger is proud to provide customers
with fresh food options that meet them where they are in the
kitchen - whether that's a fresh heat-and-eat meal on a busy school
night or a four-course recreation from your favorite restaurant
you've missed."
"Unlocking these trends allows us to prepare for the year ahead,
adapt our offerings, and innovate within Our Brands to
ensure we continue to provide customers exactly what they need and
want to delight themselves and their guests in 2022 and beyond,"
said Juan De Paoli, vice president
of Our Brands. "At-home meals hold major significance for
our customers, and we take the importance of supporting these
moments very seriously. The Our Brands team is endlessly
striving to provide quality items that become the perfect backdrop
as customers pridefully serve as they celebrate holidays,
birthdays, milestones, anniversaries, and other get-togethers.
We're excited to unveil new offerings in the year ahead that will
add a wonderful - and tasty - touch to these gatherings."
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 10 trends for 2022 can be broken down into three
categories: emerging flavors, item premiumization, and behavior
shifts. Check out the list below, as well as fresh recommendations
for those looking to get a jumpstart on each trend:
Emerging Flavors
1. Umami away! Umami is the taste that just makes
things taste...better! Asian cuisine has long understood how
ingredients high in umami help elevate other ingredients and round
out flavors in a dish, but the umami trend is exploding across new
products, multicultural cuisines, traditional cooking, and hybrid
mash-ups.
Products to Try:
- Private Selection Chile Crisp Condiment
- Private Selection Chile Crisp Sauce
- Private Selection Premium Truffle Butter
- Private Selection Sweet & Spicy Soy Chile Sauce
- Simple Truth Plant-Based Korean Style Meatless Meatballs
- Kroger Teriyaki Style Cook-in-Bag Pork Tenderloin
- Kroger Wild Mushroom Ravioli
- Private Selection Sweet & Savory California Tomato Jam
2. "Everything" is … everything. 'Everything'
seasoning is the trending flavor for 2022, as consumers top their
favorite meals with a savory touch. Be on the lookout for
'everything' inspired foods from the bakery, to dips and even
specialty cheeses to follow the trend.
Products to Try:
- Simple Truth Everything Bagel Seasoning Blend
- Kroger Everything Bagel Sour Cream Dip & Spread
- Private Selection Everything Bagel Flavored Bacon
- Simple Truth Everything Bagel Seasoned Mashed Avocado
- Simple Truth Organic Everything Seasoning Keto Seed
Crackers
3. Tastes of tequila. The biggest beverage taste of
2022 follows the umami trend – savory tequila. As consumers
continue to host at home, tequila is a shareable spirit that opens
the door to experimentation. With tons of mixes to explore and
custom cocktails to create, consumers are using tequila as a base
to delight guests with diverse palettes.
Products to Try:
- Simple Truth Organic Cilantro Lime Jalapeno Margarita Mix
- Private Selection Bloody Mary Cocktail Mixer
- Simple Truth Organic Ginger Lime Mule Mix
- Simple Truth Tropical Turmeric Juice Cocktail
- Simple Truth Organic Paletas Caribbean Style Mix Frozen Fruit
Bars
- Kroger Ruby Red Grapefruit Juice
- Big K Pineapple Passion Fruit Soda
- Private Selection Strawberry Mango Pineapple Blend Frozen
Fruit
- Private Selection Tequila Serrano Beef Jerky
4. #TBT flavors. As consumers cook more at home, recipes
from their childhood are delivering comfort and joy to people.
Think of the nostalgic 90s comeback, but apply it to meals.
Products to Try:
- Kroger Deluxe Fluffer Nutter Ice Cream
- Kroger Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich Cookies
- Kroger Mini Pizza Bagels
- Kroger Pimento Cheese Spread
- Kroger Edible Cookie Dough
- Kroger Corn Dogs
- Simple Truth Organic Sour Cherry Fruit Chews
- Private Selection All Beef Hot Dogs
Item Premiumization
5. PLANeT-based foods. Consumers continue to focus on the
health of the planet, not just through plant-based foods, but also
by reducing their waste impact with upcycled ingredients and more
recyclable packaging. Plant-based foods are now being purchased for
indulgence, comfort, and nostalgia, rather than being solely known
as the healthier choice for our bodies, while still helping
consumers lower their carbon footprint. Customers can also recycle
flexible plastic packaging from Kroger Our Brands products
through our national partnership with TerraCycle.
Products to Try:
- Kroger Egg & Cheddar Croissant with Plant-Based Breakfast
Patty
- Simple Truth Plant Based Cheesecake, Cupcakes, Mac &
Cheese
- Simple Truth Plant-Based Baking Mixes made with upcycled Okara
Flour Sugar Cookie, Chocolate Chip Cookie, and Dark Chocolate
Brownie (coming soon)
- Simple Truth Non-Dairy Cheese Shreds, Slices
- Simple Truth-Kipster Carbon Neutral Eggs (launching in
2023)
6. Grocery glow up. Cooking at home isn't just about
convenience anymore; emulating restaurant and travel experiences at
home with upleveled, "Instagram- able" meals is trending today.
Consumers are raising the bar when recreating dining experiences at
home and have been met with the premiumization of frozen food as
well.
Products to Try:
- Private Selection Duroc Baby Back Ribs, Bone in Pork Chop,
Boneless Pork Chops
- Private Selection Macarons
- Simple Truth Grass-fed Beef Burgers, Beef Hot Dogs
- Simple Truth Organic Flavored Nitro Coffee
- Kroger Bavarian Pretzel
- Kroger Family Size Broccoli & Parmesan Sauce
- Private Selection Goat Cheese & Crispy Bacon Pinsa Crust
Style Pizza
- Private Selection Ruby Chocolate Ice Cream Bar
- Simple Truth Organic Plant-Based Meals Kimchi Meatballs
7. Hyper-local: Consumers are more conscious about
the environmental and social impacts of their purchases and are
making it a point to purchase products grown or made close to home.
Alternative farms have created a way to get locally sourced,
natural ingredients at their peak freshness – so everyone can
support and enjoy their local farms – and in-store bakery items are
providing consumers a chance to support small businesses.
Last year, Kroger launched Go
Fresh & Local in 2021, which offers additional
opportunities for fresh suppliers to become part of the
organization's supplier network. Last year's winners will soon be
appearing on shelves and include Maazah, Nona Lim, Queen Charlotte's Pimento Cheese
Royale, Simply Southern Sides, and Soupergirl. As part of
Kroger's Framework for Action: Diversity, Equity, &
Inclusion plan, the organization is committed to increasing its
spend with diverse suppliers to $10
billion by 2030 – after reaching $4.1
billion in spend in 2020, representing a 21% increase from
the previous year.
Behavior Shifts
8. Natural health & beauty. Consumers are seeking out
natural products to increase beauty from the inside-out. Eating for
beauty and medicine is trending with food and beverage products
that have health and beauty-boosting benefits are trending in 2022,
with examples including fermented kombuchas, collagen-rich bone
broths, antioxidants, probiotics, reductions of sugar, and
additions of omega-3s.
Products to Try:
- Simple Truth Beauty Crate Avocado Coconut Papaya Bar Soap
- Simple Truth Beauty Crate Almond + Oatmeal + Honey Effervescent
Bath Bombs
- Simple Truth Organic 2% Reduced Fat Milk with Omega-3s
- Simple Truth Organic Low-Sugar/Zero Sugar Kombucha
- Simple Truth Organic Tropical Turmeric No Sugar Added
Juice
- Simple Truth Body Oil – Rosemary Mint and Coconut Papaya
- Private Selection Drinkable Chicken Bone Broths
9. Good enough to share. Whether you're vegan, organic,
gluten-free or otherwise, you can have your cake and share it too.
Foods for specific diets or eating styles taste so good when
everyone can enjoy them and no one is left out of a great eating
experience.
Products to Try:
- Kroger Family Size Migas Egg Bake
- Kroger Pork, Beef, Pepper Jack & Cheddar Party Tray
- Kroger Carbmaster Classic White Bread
- Simple Truth Plant-Based Cupcakes
- Simple Truth Vegan Grated Parmesan Cheese
- Private Selection Protein Pancake Mix – Toasted Coconut
10. All aboard charcuterie. Charcuterie has created a
board craze, especially when it comes to breakfast and dessert.
Boards have branched out beyond appetizers to offer consumers a
variety of small portions to make the most out of every meal. As
"boardies" start or end their day, breakfast and dessert boards
open a world of flavors without the commitment to a single
dish.
Products to Try:
- Private Selection Dipped Cheesecake Bites
- Private Selection Caramelized Onion Burger Topper
- Kroger Mini Quiche Duo
- Home Chef Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Peppers Stuffed with Cream
Cheese
- Bakery Fresh Goodness French Toast Fritters
- Bakery Fresh Goodness Loaf Cakes
- Murray's Cheese Wild Blueberry Preserves
- Simple Truth Almond Butter Filled Pretzels
To download Kroger's 2022 Food Trends Report graphic, visit
here.
About Kroger
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.