Fresh is hot, vegan is not, according to a new study of consumer trends in the food and beverage industry.
In a survey of more than 2,200 Americans conducted by research firm Morning Consult, 81% said a food or beverage is more appealing if it the label says “fresh." More than a third said the label "vegan" made it less appealing.
The poll also studied online versus in-store shopping habits, purchasing considerations and product labeling.
Among other key findings, only 33% of those surveyed had purchased food or beverages online, and 65% of those who said they've never purchased them online have no plans to do so in the future, and 90% were very or somewhat satisfied with the grocery store options nearby.
“Fresh,” and “farm-fresh” were the top words or phrases that made a food or beverage more appealing, and “vegan,” and “diet” were the top terms that made a product less appealing, according to survey respondents.
These terms were true across all demographics, but when it comes to organic labels, younger consumers were more attracted. Fifty-four percent aged 18-29 said a product labeled “organic” was more appealing, compared to only 37% for those age 65 and older.