Insider Look at Holiday Gift Demands and Shopping Patterns
In the bustling city of Chicago, KeHE Distributors held their annual Holiday Show on June 11-12, 2022. The event, which is already being planned for its 2026 edition in Denver next February, attracted nearly 5,000 people onsite and more online, according to KeHE officials.
The event, known for showcasing innovative food products, included separate areas for Fresh Marketplace, global inspirations, and the On Trend award recipients. However, specific details about the award-winning products from the 2022 Holiday Show could not be found in the search results. For those interested in this information, KeHE encourages reaching out to their events email ([email protected]) for detailed insights or checking official KeHE press releases or event summaries from late 2022.
The 2022 Holiday Show was a testament to the evolving grocery landscape, with Deb Conkin, KeHE's President and CEO, discussing shopper behaviours in her annual state of the industry address. Conkin highlighted that consumers are shifting their grocery behaviours towards health and wellness, seeking value, and finding ways to treat themselves while trying to save money.
Interestingly, Conkin suggested that food from other countries and local inspirations might spike again as they did during the COVID-19 pandemic. This trend was further emphasised by Ari Goldsmith, VP of marketing and digital media, who described the On-Trend area as a 'power aisle'.
The event also saw the launch of KeHE's exclusive and own brands division, aiming to serve customers differently. Over 100 new shippers were showcased, reflecting the industry's strength outside of conventional. The show had a positive vibe, with attendance up 16% compared to the previous year, and a preview of the holiday season reported to be positive.
In a significant development for the industry, C&S Wholesale Grocers and SpartanNash announced their plans to merge. The merger, expected to enable the combined company to serve customers more efficiently and lower grocery prices, is set to reshape the landscape of the wholesale grocery sector.
As consumers continue to change their food consumption patterns, with staples like eggs, yogurt, salty snacks, and beverages being consumed more during the midday, and a shift towards eating out for dinner, events like KeHE's Holiday Show will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping the future of the grocery industry.
[1] https://www.kehe.com/media-center/press-releases/ [2] https://www.foodbusinessnews.net/articles/2021/packaging-innovations-award-winners-announced [3] https://www.fooddive.com/news/kroger-announces-new-private-label-products-in-organic-category/625565/
- At the 2022 KeHE Holiday Show, KeHE launched their exclusive and own brands division, aiming to offer customers a unique shopping experience with over 100 new private label products showcased.
- In her annual state of the industry address, Deb Conkin, KeHE's President and CEO, revealed that consumers are increasingly focusing on health and wellness, value, and lifestyle choices, and are giving more attention to food-and-drink products that reflect these preferences.
- To stay competitive in the evolving grocery landscape, businesses may soon have the opportunity to offer lower prices, as C&S Wholesale Grocers and SpartanNash are planning to merge, aiming to serve customers more efficiently and drive finance improvements in the wholesale grocery sector.
