Watch: Navigating the Path Ahead with SPINS

The COVID-19 pandemic unexpectedly changed many facets of the food industry, forcing producers into largely uncharted territory with altered retail environments and consumer behavior that made charting a clear road map for the year nearly impossible. While no one could have predicted the many hurdles the industry would face in 2020, analyzing the trends from this unprecedented year can help all members of the industry better prepare for the next 12 months, and beyond.

In this session from NOSH Live Winter 2020, Kathryn Peters, EVP of Retailer Services at research firm SPINS, delves into the trends and strategies that saw success in 2020. Peters not only offers insight into how shoppers approached and engaged with natural products throughout this year, but also looks at what channels saw growth, the types of products and portion sizes that yielded the most sales, and the ingredient-based diets that remained relevant. In many ways, the data shows how the pandemic helped to accelerate trends that were already in place, such as online grocery shopping or plant-based diets.

To prepare for 2021, Peters also highlights in the presentation several opportunities for growth — including engaging new buyers and refining channel strategy — that will assist brands and retailers in supporting natural products consumers as we enter the new year.