ICYMI: October’s Top Stories

The most popular articles with SFA News Daily readers in October focused on consumer trends, inflation, and the Kroger-Albertsons merger. In case you missed it, the following were the top five most read stories in October:

1. Slideshow: Whole Foods Forecasts 2023 Trends

Whole Foods Market unveiled anticipated food trends for 2023. The company is also making a Trends Discovery Box available, featuring 10 items that allow consumers to sample the trends.

2. SFA Trendspotters Name 2023 Specialty Food Trends

Alternative seafood, nuanced heat, and naturally occurring sweeteners are among next year’s specialty food trends, according to the Specialty Food Association’s Trendspotter Panel.

3. Perceived Food Inflation Rate Outpaces Reality

Americans believe inflation for food-at-home has hit 22.8 percent, 9.7 points higher than the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics annual rate of 13.1 percent.

4. Regulators Seen Studying Kroger-Albertsons Merger

Cincinnati-based Kroger Co. will likely face market-by-market scrutiny from federal regulators in its proposed merger with Boise-based Albertsons Cos., as the two companies have significant overlap and would gain considerable clout in the market.

5. Vongerichten Brings Global Influences to NYC Food Hall

Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten has opened a multi-restaurant culinary marketplace/food hall at the Seaport on Pier 17 in Manhattan, the former home of the Fulton Fish Market.