Category management is evolving as food retailers and manufacturers adapt to rapidly changing shopping trends and the use of AI.

• Lidl is shifting its approach to category management from a traditional focus on item-level quality, pricing and supplier relationships to a more holistic, architectural perspective that considers how products fit together on shelves, the perception of quality tiers and the interaction between adjacent categories.
• Hormel is enhancing its category management by intensifying collaboration across teams and leveraging advanced data analysis, using AI and synthetic consumer panels to convert large volumes of data into meaningful insights that guide category decisions.
• And Kellanova is leveraging demographic data to personalize assortments and is exploring the potential of data cleanrooms for predictive modeling.

Procter & Gamble is focusing on product innovation and sustainability to drive growth, particularly in its fabric care and baby care businesses, with the launch of a new Tide detergent formula, the upcoming eco-friendly Tide EVO and upgraded versions of Pampers products. Product innovations and premium offerings drove a 3% increase in first-quarter sales, surpassing analyst expectations.

Home baking is experiencing a resurgence as consumers look for cost-saving options, according to Circana. Sales of baking cookbooks have risen more than 80% this year, and baking supplies such as candy-making kits and graham cracker crumbs are also up. Darren Seifer, Circana's industry advisor for consumer goods and food service insights, notes that while bakery department sales are down, sales of baking essentials such as flour and spices are up, driven by a DIY attitude among consumers.

Seventy-three percent of US consumers believe they should eat more whole grains, primarily for health reasons, according to a Whole Grains Council survey. Nearly half have increased their intake over the past five years. Taste and cost are both motivators and barriers, with 43% citing taste as a benefit and 44% viewing cost as a barrier.

Julie Gunlock, advisor to Americans for Ingredient Transparency coalition, argues that a single, science-based standard would ensure all consumers -- regardless of state -- have access to clear, honest information about the products they buy. The approach would eliminate inconsistent labeling, reduce costs for both businesses and consumers, and reassure families that their purchases meet the same rigorous safety requirements nationwide, Gunlock writes. "Together, we are calling on Congress to create a clear, science-based national standard that gives every parent confidence that what they are buying meets the same high bar, no matter where they live," Gunlock writes.

The majority of Americans plan to celebrate Halloween this year (78%), marking a 7-point