Will people eat relish made from ‘waste’ ingredients? Drexel study finds they may even prefer it
A group of researchers at Drexel University set out to find out if there’s consumer appetite for products made from ingredients that would have otherwise been wasted. Through a series of tests, they found that study participants viewed upcycled products as more helpful to the environment than conventional foods. They also found that the term “upcycled” resonated with participants more than other terms like “reclaimed” or “rescued.” Read more at Drexel NOW…
Top shopping trends of 2018: Retail experts share what to watch for next year
A retail renaissance is on the horizon, according to Forbes retail contributors, who predict that big opportunities for retailers in the new year include taking small steps to implement new technologies and working with new operating models. Read more at Forbes…
Story-based retail and the evolving role of merchandiser
A store isn’t just where people buy things—today it’s a place where people seek a shopping experience that delights them. In the new experiential-focused retail model, stores must put customers (rather than products) at the center of everything. The merchandiser’s role has been disrupted—she must now select new merchandise for the store and figure out how to tell its story and present it in a way that engages customers’ imagination. “Now with analytics and enabling technology, you discover the store located two miles south of the other one has a very different customer,” says Shelley Kohan, retail fellow at RetailNext. “This particular product I’m considering will work will in one, but not the other. Now we can make pinpoint decisions about what will sell and where.” Read more at Forbes…
Is watermelon juice poised to be the next coconut water?
Frey Farms debuts its high-end watermelon juice product, Tsamma, three years ago, right around the time of peak coconut water. The company uses U.S.-grown watermelon to make the juice, which contains concentrated levels of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Read more at Food Business News…
Governor not sweet on push to study statewide soda tax
Santa Fe voters rejected a tax on sugary drinks earlier this year, but at least one local legislator isn’t resting yet. Sen. Jerry Ortiz y Pino, a Democrat from Albuquerque, has called on the Legislative Finance Committee to study the potential revenue and public health benefits, as well as the potential negative impacts, of a soda tax. Read more at Santa Fe New Mexican…
