Grocery shoppers are spending less time, and money, in the center aisles of the supermarket, where the processed foods dwell and more time in the dairy case, meat counter and produce bins, says the Minneapolis Star Tribune. “They’re piling on protein, moving toward organics, buying more niche brands — all in the name of what the food industry calls ‘wellness.'” It quotes a stock analyst who says the Millennial generation is more concerned about nutrition and “doesn’t seem to have the loyalty to big consumer brands.”
“There could be more fallout for food firms. When an entire industry is pinched, mergers and acquisitions often follow,” says the Star Tribune. It cites General Mills’ purchase of organic foodmaker Annie’s as an example.