A decade ago, experts predicted that we'd be buying all of our food online by now, and even though there are some quickly growing players in grocery delivery (FreshDirect, AmazonFresh), grocery stores and supermarkets continue to thrive. Supermarket Guru Phil Lempert has been analyzing consumer culture and the grocery industry for more than 20 years, and he has a very clear vision for where grocery stores are headed: smaller spaces with a more curated selection and, for god's sake, no bulky paper towels (because we'll be ordering all the boring stuff via subscription). Increasingly interactive phones and smart carts will expand customized, in-store advertising in a way that enhances the shopping experience rather than interrupt it, and the use of e-coupons will grow, but only if grocers and manufacturers can cooperate. Improved packaging will keep food safer and consumers (and food processors) informed about what's inside, where it came from and where it's going.
4. What will it be like in 2025?
All Mobile?
More Fresh?
More Artisan?
More Expensive?
More Delivered?
5. The Supermarket
opportunity!
Smaller Stores
•50,000 sq. ft. to 15-
20,000
Less Assortment
•40,000 SKUs to
20,000
More service
•Chefs, RDs, Butchers,
Fish Mongers &
Sommeliers
A new type of food
store that combines
fresh, authenticity,
prepared foods, on
site services (beer
gardens, catering,
nutritional guidance)
and becomes a hub
for the community
6. Today there
are as many
Millennials as
Boomers…
and they are
leading the
food trends
7. Millennials are passionate
Food raves
Food trucks
High college debt
Low-paying jobs
Living at home
Generation “child-free”
Connection, conversation & community
8. Trends to watch…
Grazing Golden Agers & Snacking
Smoked Everything
Fermented Foods
“Craft” Foods
Gen Z: The New Chefs
New Nutrition Label
Grocerants
Instant Delivery
