Blame TikTok, GLP-1s, or just a smarter shopper, but protein has officially entered the chat. Everyone from busy parents to wellness enthusiasts is looking for high-protein options that fit their lifestyle. For CPG marketers, this is the green light to flex. Innovation is booming across animal, plant, and alternative proteins, and brands that can deliver functional benefits with craveable flavor and standout shelf appeal are winning.  

2023’s Natural Products Expo West was a rollicking success for attendees and exhibitors, again providing a chance for vendors and marketers (and more) to share their newest big ideas.

Cannabis User Purchase Trends for the Holidays

The pumpkin pie isn’t all that’s getting baked this Thanksgiving.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, approximately one in five U.S. adults experience mental illness in a given year.

A 2021 PwC consumer poll across 22 countries found that more than half of consumers have become more eco-friendly during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a society, we’re increasingly aware of the devastating effects storms, wildfires, and drought have on our everyday lives. We know we need to make changes; however, many people just don’t know where to start. A recent study from Brands for Good found that 41% of Americans were unsure how to live more sustainably. That’s where brands can help – through education, inspiration, and products that make it easy for consumers to take baby steps to a more sustainable future.

Long before the pandemic, consumers were shifting toward healthier and better-for-you food and beverage options. Beyond the health benefits, they began to prioritize ethical and environmental impact and increasingly wanted transparency about how the foods were sourced, produced, and packaged. Similarly, consumers are demanding more from brands themselves – more transparency, diversity, and innovation. And, they expect a seamless experience from the moment they discover your brand on social media to engagement in-store. What else do you need to know about this consumer? Here are ten facts about natural and organic products consumers to get you started.

Recent research commissioned by the Outdoor Foundation has confirmed what we thought to be true: outdoor participation saw huge growth in 2020. In fact, over seven million more Americans partook in outdoor activities compared to 2019—turning to the outdoors for exercise, a change of scenery, and a mental health boost.

With many consumers shut out from their favorite indoor activities over the past year, the outdoor industry saw a huge boost in participation. From walking and jogging to bicycling and kayaking, consumers turned to the outdoors for some exercise, a change of scenery, and a mental health boost. And, much to the delight of the outdoor industry, many of these consumers were trying activities after a long lapse or for the very first time.

Wellness marketing is not new. From #MeatlessMonday to #SelfCareSaturday, marketers have been tapping into healthy lifestyle messaging to drive conversation around their brand. This approach has been tremendously successful for many—especially beauty and food brands that have developed entirely new categories of wellness-oriented products to attract healthy lifestyle consumers.

Much to the dismay of athletes and fitness enthusiasts, gym closures and confinement to the home has greatly disrupted their routines. However, just as consumers have adapted to the other challenges of the pandemic, so, too, have they found ways to exercise from the comforts of home. In turn, these changes in behavior have ushered in a new era of fitness. As we look forward through 2021, let's take a look at the ways the world of health and fitness continues to rapidly transform.