As part of their preparation for ECRM’s 60+ EPPS meetings, retail buyers complete a form on the EPPS prep site, indicating the subcategories they are buying for, and on what areas they are focusing their buying efforts.

Based on this information, collected from almost 70 buyers and category managers attending our upcoming Frozen, Deli, Meat, Dairy & Bakery EPPS meetings, here are a few key areas of interest:

Natural, Organic & "Free-From”: Prepared foods and other deli/meat products that made from natural and organic ingredients, as well as “free-from” products like non-GMO, and gluten free, nitrate-free, low-salt, and low-sugar.

Private Brands: Merchandise across all candy categories that can be sold under the retailer’s brand. For most buyers, these products must have certifications such as GFSI, BRC and SQF.

Ethnic Foods: While many buyers specifically are looking for items that address the Hispanic market, all kinds of ethnic foods are gaining in popularity, especially as Millennials increasingly seek out more exotic flavors.

Grab-and-Go: For wellness-minded consumers, healthy portable meals they can take with them, such as fruit cups, salads and wraps (many of which you’ll see in the image above, taken at a local 7-Eleven, which offers a ton of healthy items for consumers on-the-go.)