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Consumer demand for transparency is reshaping the CPG and retail industries, changing the business from the boardroom down. In response to this transformation, the Path to Purchase Institute developed TransparencyIQ, the only conference focused on the revolutionary force of product transparency and its ability to drive consumer trust and brand loyalty. In its second year running, Label Insight is proud to again serve as the event’s Founding Sponsor.

 Digital technology is responsible for reshaping many industries - but in particular, the use of big data and analytics has transformed the business of food.

Last week our CEO, Paul Schaut, spoke about the expanding role of big data, AI and advanced analytics in the food industry at the Future Food-Tech event in San Francisco.

Hop to it: It’s not too late to shop for a better-for-you Easter basket

With Easter right around the corner many Americans are gearing up for a big family celebration. According to Packaged Facts’ “Food Gifting in the U.S.: Consumer and Corporate” report, those celebrating Easter last year spent an estimated $18 billion on products including candy, gifts, food and flowers, with $152 spent per celebrant. Food and candy comprised more than $6 billion of consumers’ Easter spending.

Company to deliver combined image and data solution to the second largest food retailer group in the U.S.

Label Insight, the market leader for product transparency, today announced that it has signed an expansive, multi-year deal with Topco Associates LLC, a provider of innovative business solutions for its food industry member-owners and customers. Under the agreement, Label Insight will provide high quality product images alongside the industry’s largest and most complete product attribute data set to better inform Topco stakeholders about the nutrient and ingredient composition of all Topco-procured private label products. The agreement includes all product categories such as food, beverage, baby, pet and cosmetics. Label Insight will also power SmartLabel™ pages, including images and data, for all Topco brand products.

Serving up Data Bites, One Slice at a Time

March 14, or 3.14, is National Pi Day. A day when America pays homage to the mathematical constant π. Pi is that unique, never repeating or ending, fraction that many of us remember from geometry class -- the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter. So it’s appropriate that we celebrate with food in the shape of a circle. Many grocery stores offer deals on pizza pies, fruit pies and even chicken pot pies. There is no doubt a pie for everyone.

American consumers are demanding more transparency about the ingredients being used within the food products they consume, with the majority of consumers preferring natural, socially-conscious food items. And they are beginning to expect the same for their pets, who are increasingly being viewed as an extension of the family.

Two of the most persistent challenges for brands and retailers over the past several years, have been maintaining consistent, uniform, high-quality product images and satisfying the demand for transparency, which requires more detailed product data, specifically designed to meet the increasing consumer demand for better information and transparency. To make the situation more complex, linking data and images has been a daunting process due to the myriad image sources, data sources, distribution points and consumer touchpoints.

Not only are American consumers taking a greater interest in the ingredients being used in their food and beverages, but they’re also beginning to care more about what’s being used in their personal care products. Studies show that shoppers are looking for products with recognizable ingredients and they’re willing to pay more for items using “better-for-you” ingredients. But as shoppers continue to vote with their wallets, personal care good manufacturers are continuing to look for opportunities to tap into the burgeoning “natural personal care” product market.

Now that we’ve shut the door on 2017and looked at trending diets this year, let’s look at the food trends that are heavily anticipated in 2018. Just Googling “2018 food trends” will bring up hundreds of articles in dozens of publications about what’s going to be hot this year. You can see for yourself here, here and here.

We decided to dig into a few of these trends and learn a bit more about them – and see how prevalent they are on the grocery shelves already. However, it’s up to you to decide if you’d like to drop these into your shopping cart this year.

Valentine’s Day is here and consumers across the country are searching for the perfect way to show their love. Chocolate continues to be one of the most popular Valentine’s Day gifts and those indulging this year need not feel guilty. Buying patterns for chocolate follow broader grocery shopping trends -- consumers are investing in “better-for-you” ingredients and brands that provide greater transparency.

February also marks American Heart Month, a federal event that brings awareness to the dangers of heart disease. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends maintaining a healthy diet for optimal heart disease prevention - this includes avoiding added sugars and steering clear of sodium-laden foods. Luckily, the myriad of chocolate options mean that shoppers can have their “heart-healthy” chocolate bar and eat it, too.