Exclusive Insight
Lettuce Explain: The Cost of Freshness & The Waste War
This analysis dissects the retail ecosystem through three primary lenses: Waste, Cost, and Quality. It contrasts the efficiency of supermarket supply chain by integrating data from the United Kingdom, the United States, and Japan, and leveraging recent developments from industry titans.
30x Surge in Amazon Grocery Sales
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Exclusive Interview
The Shelf Presence Problem
Facing a "recessive" shelf presence amid national expansion, Pete Marino, President of Lofted Spirits, uncovers the reasoning behind a disruptive new packaging system designed to balance modern innovation with authentic whiskey cues.
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Pete Marino
President of Lofted Spirits
As Bardstown Bourbon has continued to expand across the U.S., we recognised we had a chance to build upon our visual identity and develop a packaging system that is iconic, disruptive, and modern. Our current packaging came with a number of challenges as we’ve grown. It was recessive on the shelf; it was difficult at any distance to separate the core, everyday expressions from the limited releases. We wanted our new packaging to mirror our ambitions to push the bourbon category forward.
The new system was built to ‘work harder’ on shelf: bold typography and secondary labels improve visibility, clearer bar calls simplify navigation, and an updated color system strengthens SKU separation. Consumers will see clearer labels and bolder design that make it easier to choose the right bottle for your taste or to spot your favorite on the shelf or behind the bar.
Everything we do at Bardstown Bourbon Company is about pushing the boundaries of bourbon. The new packaging reflects that. It’s more than just bold fonts and colours. It is inherently different on the shelf from what anyone else in the category is doing. And like all we do at Bardstown Bourbon Co., it was done with intention.
Every thoughtful detail—from the modern colour palette and type face, premium materials to the debossed topographical map of Bardstown—bridges innovation with authenticity. Premium materials bring an elevated visual and tactile experience aligned with the whiskey’s award-winning quality that bourbon enthusiasts have embraced.
We’re continuing to expand what it means to be a modern American Whiskey. We’re aligning our visual identity to be more reflective of who we are: innovative, premium, and built for what’s next. Later this year, we will roll out a new package for our annual limited releases – Discovery and Collaborative series. And our liquid innovations will continue to prove again and again that there’s Nowhere We Won’t Go.
IKEA’s 2026 Report: Rise of "Sofa Dining" and the "Messy Reality" of Global Kitchens
The era of the pristine, Instagram-perfect dinner party may be officially over. According to the newly released IKEA Cooking & Eating Report 2026, the global kitchen is defined by "comfortable chaos," where traditional rituals are being rewritten by screen time, shrinking living spaces, and a desire for comfort over convention.
Report
February 10, 2026
Rise Baking Company 2026 Bakery Trends: Indulgence, Efficiency, and 'Clean' Formulations
Rise Baking Company, a major supplier to the North American bakery industry, has released its strategic outlook for 2026. The company aims to offer solutions made with colours from natural sources across its entire portfolio by the end of 2026.
Report
February 10, 2026
FDA Updates Labelling Guidance and Approves New Natural Colour Additives in Shift Away from Petroleum Dyes
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced a significant update to its labelling policies and colour additive approvals, marking a major step in the agency’s ongoing initiative to remove petroleum-based synthetic colours from the nation’s food supply.
Report
February 9, 2026
Absolut Partners with TABASCO® Brand to Launch Spicy Vodka
January 28, 2026
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Monin Targets 'Swicy' and Nostalgia Trends with Hot Honey and Maple Pecan Pie Launch
February 5, 2026
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Jolly Rancher Taps into ‘Swicy’ Trend with Heat Wave Gummies and VeeFriends Partnership
January 30, 2026
Sargento Heats Up Dairy Aisle with 'Hot & Spicy' Slices and New 'Cheese + Crunch' Balanced Breaks
January 28, 2026
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Cedar’s Foods Targets 'Swicy' Trend with Limited-Edition Pineapple Jalapeño Hummus at Kroger
January 28, 2026
Hotel Chocolat Debuts 'Fire & Ice' Drinking Chocolate with Habanero and Peppermint for National Hot Chocolate Day
January 27, 2026
Frank's RedHot Expands Portfolio with Four New Flavours Ahead of Big Game Watching Window
January 22, 2026
Wingstop Expands 'Sweet-Heat' Portfolio with Limited-Time Hot Honey Trio Nationwide
January 20, 2026
TREND WATCH: WINTER 2026
The "Swicy" Takeover
This month's data shows a massive spike in Sweet + Spicy flavour profiles. From Absolut Vodka's new Spicy Vodka to McDonald's Hot Honey menu, the "Swicy" trend is dominating the shelf.
Spicy confectionery and sweets
Hot Honey Flavours
Spicy Fruit pairings in beverages
February 2026 Issue
FNBX INSIDER: Beverage Market Deep Dive
Driven by the rise of the 'Ozempic economy,' protein is migrating from the gym bag to the grocery aisle, forcing brands to engineer hyperdense 'companion foods' for a new era of metabolic health.
The New Buzz: THC
Valentine's Day Coffee
Functional Beverages
