The Harvest Group team had a great time at Expo East last week in Philadelphia! Most importantly, we had the opportunity to connect with several of our incredible clients which is always our priority. We like to say that our team is “client obsessed” and trade shows are always a great way to spend time with our partners outside of the day-to-day work.
Beyond our clients, one thing we look for as we partner with our retailers (Walmart, Target, Amazon, Kroger, Sam’s Club, and Costco) is bringing them incremental, differentiated category offerings. We noticed a few unique shopper needs being met across the show in children’s brain health, incremental VMS plays (for example, mushrooms), non-alcoholic aperitifs, and healthy, fruit-based sauces and condiments. Overall, we experienced great energy at the show and everyone seems excited to be back in the market.
Here are a few team takeaways from Expo East 2022:
- A Shift to Alcohol-Free – N/A beverages and alcohol alternatives ranging from alcohol-free spirits to mocktails to aperitifs were prevalent at the show as the market responds to the fact that many consumers are reconsidering their alcohol consumption.
- Eat More Plants – The call to consume more healthy plants and plant protein; while not a new trend, continued to be a theme throughout the show. Animal protein alternatives continue to evolve, breaking into new categories like smoked fish made from vegetables, algae, and bamboo or eggs made from roasted pumpkin seeds. We continue to see brands focusing on how to deliver the message of eating for overall health, vitality & wellness.
- Environmentally Responsible Sourcing – Brands in the natural and organic space are focused on messaging around regenerative agriculture practices, responsible packaging, and reducing waste. Even more importantly, these terms are now more than a buzzword and becoming fundamental to many brands’ operational models.
- Less Is More – Products with simple, clean, understandable ingredient statements, no added sugar, and simplified manufacturing processes are growing in importance.
- Investor Engagement – While there has been a lot of discussion around capital markets tightening, there are still investors out there engaging founders, looking for brands to believe in and invest in.
Our team left feeling energized and ready to guide our clients with excellence in the ever-changing retail environment. If you’re interested in learning more about Harvest Group reach out to us at hello@harvestgroup.com or fill out our Contact Us form here.
Bonus: DiNic’s Roast Pork with sharp provolone and broccoli rabe might be the world’s greatest sandwich 😊
