Kroger Sees Private Label, Bold Flavors As Leading 2025 Food Trends
The continued growth of private label products is one of five food trends to watch in 2025, according to The Kroger Co., which noted shoppers are also expected to seek out items that offer bold flavors.
The forecasted trends were developed by grocer’s team of food experts including Our Brands' product developers, chefs, buyers, culinary specialists and Kroger's retail data science arm, 84.51º.
"Our Brands provide an opportunity to get exceptional value on the top trending products while still enjoying the same high quality and unique flavors customers crave," said Juan De Paoli, vice president, Our Brands for Kroger. "2025 is all about flavor - with hot peppers continuing to rise, fermented flavors quickly growing in popularity, and staples like Caesar finding new adaptations in the kitchen. Whether customers are looking to try a new dupe on a viral favorite or explore the real power of protein, Kroger is excited to offer Our Brands products that give customers a taste of their favorite trends."
Kroger's top five food trend predictions for 2025:
Food Dupes
Retailers continue to offer items that rival – and even surpass – national brand equivalents, and it hasn't gone unnoticed. Customers are tasting the high-quality and receiving the savings shopping private label provides – and they are turning to them for dupes of their restaurant and CPG favorites. Kroger expects more shoppers to regularly choose store brand alternatives instead of national brands, as well as continued private-label innovation to match the customer demand.
Bold & Briny
Customers are exploring more ways to incorporate acidic, briny and fermented flavors into their meals to enhance the overall freshness, brightness and texture. On the horizon for 2025 is an increased use of super briny foods like olives, pickles, sauerkraut and kimchi.
The Protein Renaissance
Protein is no longer just a tool for bulking up; it's increasingly sought after by customers looking to maintain energy levels throughout the day and support overall health. While popular staples like chicken, yogurt and cottage cheese have staying power, the retailer predicts a growing interest in collagen and a greater incorporation of plant-based proteins such as beans, lentils and hemp seeds into daily diets.
Pepper Palette
Customers shifted from chasing the highest Scoville ratings to now exploring how heat maximizes flavor. And delving into spices and peppers from international cuisines – like Calabrian chiles, guajillo peppers and hatch chiles – allows them to do so. As spice aficionados continue to experiment, expect emerging pepper varieties to appear in familiar products like wings, pizza and pasta.
Hail, Caesar
Following its viral "Caesar salad and french fries" moment, Caesar salad innovation is at an all-time high. Beyond traditional salads and wraps, recipes featuring Caesar dressing on pizza, pasta and a variety of leafy greens beyond romaine lettuce are gaining popularity. This could lead to creative combinations of the umami-rich dressing with flavors like miso, tahini and black garlic as customers breathe new life into the century-old recipe.
