--- title: "Fresh Foods: Grocery's Newest Trend" description: Fresh food is on the rise, and grocers are taking notice. Learn more about food retail's latest trend, and what it means for in-store teams. image: https://explore.movista.com/hubfs/Blog%20Feature%20image%20oct%202.png --- [![Movista Retail Execution Platform Logo](https://explore.movista.com/hubfs/MOVISTA.png)](https://www.movista.com/) - [Product](https://www.movista.com/solution/) - [Solution Overview](https://www.movista.com/solution/) - [Store Tasking and Merchandising](https://www.movista.com/solution/store-tasking-and-merchandising/) - [Scheduling and Workforce Enablement](https://www.movista.com/solution/scheduling-and-workforce-enablement/) - [Item Management and Ordering](https://www.movista.com/solution/item-management-and-ordering/) - [Communications](https://www.movista.com/solution/communications/) - [Optimizations and AI](https://www.movista.com/solution/optimizations-and-ai/) - [Analytics](https://www.movista.com/solution/analytics/) - [Vendor Collaboration](https://www.movista.com/solution/vendor-collaboration/) - [Product Packages](https://www.movista.com/solution/product-packages/) - [By Industry](https://www.movista.com/solution/) - [Retailers](https://www.movista.com/platform/retailers/) - [Consumer Goods](https://www.movista.com/platform/consumer-goods/) - [Service Providers](https://www.movista.com/platform/service-providers/) - [Distributors](https://www.movista.com/platform/distributors/) - [Company](https://www.movista.com/about-us/) - [About Us](https://www.movista.com/about-us/) - [Newsroom](https://www.movista.com/media/) - [Events](https://www.movista.com/events/) - [Partnerships](https://www.movista.com/partners/) - [Integrations](https://www.movista.com/integrations/) - [Careers](https://www.movista.com/careers/) - [Support](https://www.movista.com/support/) - [Resources](https://explore.movista.com/resources/all) - [Content Library](https://explore.movista.com/resources) - [Customer Stories](https://explore.movista.com/resources/tag/customer-stories) - [Articles](https://explore.movista.com/blog) - [Videos](https://explore.movista.com/videos) - Insights - [Shelf Help](https://explore.movista.com/shelf-help) - [Retail Execution Guide](https://explore.movista.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-retail-execution-software) - [Retail Execution Dictionary](https://www.movista.com/retail-execution-dictionary/) - [Retail Merchandising Guide](https://www.movista.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-retail-merchandising/) - [Savings Estimator](https://explore.movista.com/movista-savings-estimator) - [Demo](https://www.movista.com/demo/) Industry Insights # Fresh Foods: Grocery's Newest Trend ![Retail Execution blog dots divider](https://explore.movista.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/2022_atlas-theme%20copy%20movista_NEW/images/blog_dots.png) ![fresh food store worker helping customer](https://explore.movista.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog%20Feature%20image%20oct%202.png?width=1250&name=Blog%20Feature%20image%20oct%202.png) In 2019, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) published [a landmark study](https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2751719) that analyzed the dietary trends of nearly 44,000 American men and women between the years of 1999 to 2016. Research found that, slowly but steadily, American diets are becoming healthier.   In the years since this study was published, health has remained high on the list of priorities for Americans, particularly in a retail context. In fact, health-focused CPG brands have been some of the biggest [market disruptors](https://explore.movista.com/blog/top-3-emerging-brands-in-2022-cpg) in 2022.   According to [new research](https://www.fmi.org/forms/store/ProductFormPublic/the-food-retailing-industry-speaks-2022) from FMI that analyzed 96 food retail and wholesale companies and 22 food product suppliers in 2022, it is apparent that health-conscious shoppers are further shaping food retail trends: fresh foods are on the rise, both in-store and online, and retailers are taking notice.   Here are the biggest takeaways:    ## 1. Fresh foods are outperforming non-perishables   In 2021, perishables accounted for [45%](https://www.iriworldwide.com/en-us) of food retailer sales. While non-perishables still account for most food retailer sales, fresh food sales have grown at a faster rate in the past three years.   Considering that non-perishables take up the majority of a grocery store’s real estate—prime, center-of-the-store real estate at that—this growth performance becomes even more impressive.     ## 2. Retailers are dedicating more floor space to fresh departments   According to FMI’s survey results, 82% of food retailers plan to increase fresh-prepared grab-and-go space allocation, and 48% plan to increase fresh produce space allocation. Fresh meat (27%) and in-store bakery (24%) are also receiving attention.   In addition, more than 70% of retailers plan to increase SKU allocation for locally sourced products, which 90% of retailers cited as an important product differentiation strategy, both online and in-store.      ## 3. Retailers are dedicating more labor to fresh departments too  Given that meat and produce departments dominated store sales per labor hour in 2021 (by as much as +$130 compared to total sales per labor hour), it should come as no surprise that retailers are dedicating more of their workforce toward fresh departments:  - More food service labor (44% of retailers)  - More specialty department help (25% of retailers)  - More chefs (22% of retailers)  - More in-store dining labor (20% of retailers)    ## 4. Retailers (and fresh food brands) need better execution technology  [Shrink](https://www.eposnow.com/us/resources/what-is-shrink-in-retail/) has long been a problem in retail. In 2022, it costs North American retailers a staggering $349 billion in lost sales.   Over the past few years, total store shrink rate has hovered around 2.5%, but for fresh departments this number is much higher. Fresh-prepared food shrink (8.8%) and deli shrink (7.6%) are both well above the total store average.   To combat the occurrence of shrink in fresh departments, retailers are rapidly adopting technology solutions for fresh inventory and demand planning. With an in-store execution software like [Movista](https://explore.movista.com/fresh-item-management?utm_campaign=Fresh%20Campaign&utm_source=blog&utm_medium=blog&utm_content=fresh-item-management), store and field teams can more easily and accurately manage on-shelf product, resulting in significant cost savings and improvements in customer satisfaction.   In-store execution tech can also help food retailers offset another costly problem: labor turnover. It costs retailers approximately $500 to train one employee, and food suppliers an even higher $1,700 per employee.   But with the [right technology solution](https://explore.movista.com/fresh-item-management?utm_campaign=Fresh%20Campaign&utm_source=blog&utm_medium=blog&utm_content=fresh-item-management), retailers and suppliers can better enable their store and field teams by automating and centralizing day-to-day tasks, making it easier (and cheaper) to get new employees up to speed while giving current employees a reason to stay.   > [Learn more about how Movista helps retailers and suppliers with their fresh execution.](https://explore.movista.com/fresh-item-management?utm_campaign=Fresh%20Campaign&utm_source=blog&utm_medium=blog&utm_content=fresh-item-management) > >   [via GIPHY](https://giphy.com/gifs/mtv-fresh-prince-george-lopez-my-wife-and-kids-6XJCRWFUcJrkA) ## featured content [![photo ai retail execution](https://explore.movista.com/hubfs/blog%20-%20photo%20ai%20store%20performance.jpg)](https://explore.movista.com/blog/image-recognition-for-retail-execution-how-photo-ai-is-transforming-store-performance) ### [Image Recognition for Retail Execution: How Photo AI Is Transforming Store Performance](https://explore.movista.com/blog/image-recognition-for-retail-execution-how-photo-ai-is-transforming-store-performance) [![OSA on-shelf availability](https://explore.movista.com/hubfs/OSA%20on-shelf%20availability-1.png)](https://explore.movista.com/blog/the-importance-of-on-shelf-availability-in-retail-in-2026) ### [The Importance of On-Shelf Availability in Retail: Why Keeping Items Stocked is Critical for Competitiveness in 2026](https://explore.movista.com/blog/the-importance-of-on-shelf-availability-in-retail-in-2026) [![collaborative field store teams drive retail revenue](https://explore.movista.com/hubfs/Content/Blogs/2025/collaborative%20store%20and%20field%20temas-100.jpg)](https://explore.movista.com/blog/how-collaborative-field-and-store-teams-drive-retail-revenue) ### [How Collaborative Field and Store Teams Drive Retail Revenue](https://explore.movista.com/blog/how-collaborative-field-and-store-teams-drive-retail-revenue) [![maximize cross merchandising](https://explore.movista.com/hubfs/Content/Blogs/2025/maximize%20sales%20with%20cross%20merchandising-100.jpg)](https://explore.movista.com/blog/maximize-sales-with-cross-merchandising-excellence) ### [Maximize Sales with Cross-Merchandising Excellence](https://explore.movista.com/blog/maximize-sales-with-cross-merchandising-excellence) [![continuous replenishment](https://explore.movista.com/hubfs/Content/Blogs/2025/continuous%20replenishment-100.jpg)](https://explore.movista.com/blog/continuous-replenishment-the-key-to-seamless-retail-stock-management) ### [Continuous Replenishment: The Key to Seamless Retail Stock Management](https://explore.movista.com/blog/continuous-replenishment-the-key-to-seamless-retail-stock-management) [![streamline store operations for the holiday rush](https://explore.movista.com/hubfs/ecommerce.jpeg)](https://explore.movista.com/blog/how-much-shopping-is-ecommerce-insights-on-retail-trends-in-2025) ### [How Much Shopping is Ecommerce? Insights on Retail Trends in 2025](https://explore.movista.com/blog/how-much-shopping-is-ecommerce-insights-on-retail-trends-in-2025) [![transform sales operations](https://explore.movista.com/hubfs/manage%20sales%20territories-100.jpg)](https://explore.movista.com/blog/transform-sales-operations-how-to-manage-sales-territories-effectively) ### [Transform Sales Operations: How to Manage Sales Territories Effectively](https://explore.movista.com/blog/transform-sales-operations-how-to-manage-sales-territories-effectively) [![How Understanding Consumer Buying Behavior Strengthens Vendor Collaboration](https://explore.movista.com/hubfs/understanding%20consumer%20buying%20behavior%20strengthens%20vendor%20collaboration-100.jpg)](https://explore.movista.com/blog/how-understanding-consumer-buying-behavior-strengthens-vendor-collaboration) ### [How Understanding Consumer Buying Behavior Strengthens Vendor Collaboration](https://explore.movista.com/blog/how-understanding-consumer-buying-behavior-strengthens-vendor-collaboration) [![employee productivity in retail](https://explore.movista.com/hubfs/employee%20productivity-100.jpg)](https://explore.movista.com/blog/5-strategies-to-improve-employee-productivity-in-retail) ### [5 Strategies to Improve Employee Productivity in Retail](https://explore.movista.com/blog/5-strategies-to-improve-employee-productivity-in-retail) [![vulnerability of supply chains](https://explore.movista.com/hubfs/supply%20chain.jpeg)](https://explore.movista.com/blog/the-vulnerability-of-global-supply-chains-lessons-learned-and-the-case-for-localization) ### [The Vulnerability of Global Supply Chains: Lessons Learned and the Case for Localization](https://explore.movista.com/blog/the-vulnerability-of-global-supply-chains-lessons-learned-and-the-case-for-localization) ## featured content ![OSA on-shelf availability](https://explore.movista.com/hubfs/OSA%20on-shelf%20availability-1.png) ## [The Importance of On-Shelf Availability in Retail: Why Keeping Items Stocked is Critical for Competitiveness in 2026](https://explore.movista.com/blog/the-importance-of-on-shelf-availability-in-retail-in-2026) Learn why on-shelf availability is critical in today's retail store environment [Read More](https://explore.movista.com/blog/the-importance-of-on-shelf-availability-in-retail-in-2026) Want to learn more? [CHAT WITH OUR TEAM](https://www.movista.com/demo/?utm_campaign=Blog%20and%20Resource%20Tracking&utm_source=blog-post-lower) ## Sign up for our newsletter for information on retail execution [![Movista - Best-in-class Retail Execution](https://explore.movista.com/hubfs/logo-2.png)](https://www.movista.com/) [Privacy Policy](https://www.movista.com/privacy-policy/)