Food Fundamentals

GROCERY SHOPPING IS essential: Most folks make some kind of regular mission to their local grocer, whether it’s weekly, bi-weekly or monthly. Even if your preferred method of grocery shopping is curbside pick-up, chances are you still find yourself inside a grocery store from time to time. Grocery shopping tends to become second nature, habitual – routine. But “routine” doesn’t need to be synonymous with “boring.”

In our annual Sector Spotlight focusing on groceries and supermarkets (pg. 16), our contributing writer Georgia Mizen examines the latest design trends through the lens of several new projects here in the U.S. and abroad. What seems to be the thread between these varying concepts is the idea of “community,” as well as putting customers’ experience front and center.

There’s plenty to be concerned about when it comes to grocery retail these days. In addition to always changing consumer habits since the Covid pandemic, grocers are continually dealing with inflation and higher food costs, staffing issues, and fluctuations in consumer spending and confidence. Despite these challenges, grocers continue to evolve, right alongside shoppers.

In 2024, according to National Grocers Association (“2024 Independent Grocers Financial Survey”; Washington, D.C.), 25 percent of grocers remodeled at least one store and 11 percent added new stores, and another 38 percent increased their capital expenditures. Companies like Aldi added 105 locations to its roster in 2024, and Publix opened 43 new stores. The icing on the cake is, reportedly, a whopping 74 percent of grocery shopping is still done in store, says Syracuse, N.Y.-based Drive Research.

So what’s the down and dirty? Reinvesting in your grocery store’s design could be a prudent business decision. It isn’t the only measure to consider, however, as there are so many layers to an “experience.” Updating your online/curbside pick-up capabilities, rewriting the story around private brands and managing the narrative surrounding price gouging can all impact an in-store experience.

And speaking of impacting the in-store experience, I would be remiss not to mention our 2025 Designer Dozen award winners on pg. 27. To be celebrated on-site during the 2025 International Retail Design Conference in Providence, R.I. (Oct. 22-23), this group of up-and-coming retailers and designers, age 35 and under, give us a glimpse at the state of the industry … and they sure do make the future look bright!
Alongside this exciting report, be sure to check out the other amazing projects in this issue including our case study on Tanboer, a look at lighting trends, Kroger’s updated beer and liquor department concept in Union, Ky., and much, much more!