What is the state of the food retail industry?

Food Marketing Institute's 70th annual The Food Retailing Industry Speaks report provides the food retail industry with important operational and financial benchmarks as well as insights into strategic and tactical decisions.

The food retail industry is riding a number of positive growth trends even as it grapples with unprecedented challenges. We've broken down the top findings from the 2019 report, representing 36,000 stores.

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Key Take-A-Ways

Food Retailers Adapt for Success

Food retailers are increasingly finding ways to succeed regardless of the landscape. They are adapting for success. While this trait is a differentiator for many retailers, over time it will become table stakes in this quickly changing environment.

Wellness Cited As Positive

Health and well-being proposition and the food as medicine trend gained momentum as the two biggest positive factors and opportunities.

See More on Pages 8, 9, 17 & 22

Solidifying Consumer Connections

Food retailers are engaging more deeply with consumers, including through diverse promotional efforts, transparency initiatives, and community programs.

See More on Pages 11, 15, 22 & 23

Proactive Approaches to Labor

Food retailers are navigating labor issues in ways that ensure business success, such as using compensation and benefits in ways to ensure a steady supply of talent.

See More on Pages 8, 9, 17 & 26

Full Speed Ahead
on Fresh

Fresh foods continue to drive product differentiation. We found a strong boost in success for produce, fresh prepared, and meat/poultry categories.

See More on Pages 14 - 17

More Ecommerce Experimentation

Food retailers are moving forward with a range of ecommerce initiatives as they strive to enhance their online shopping sophistication and engage customers.

See More on Pages 17 - 20

Financial Improvements Overcome Pressures

Food retailers are succeeding in enhancing key financial and operational benchmarks despite an increasingly challenging expense landscape.

See More on Page 24 - 28