2022 Trade Show: What to Watch For

LAS VEGAS — Bold-flavored snacks, electric-vehicle (EV) chargers, bean-to-cup coffee machines and more are sure to be prominent on the show floor at the 2022 NACS Show. Here’s a roundup of the trends and products CSP editors expect to see in Las Vegas in October.

With bold flavors at the forefront of many consumers’ minds, watch for flavors not previously explored in the snacks and candy category. With consumers gravitating toward experiences they have never had, unexpected combinations will continue as a trend, with blends such as sweet and spicy and multisensorial.

Gummies are on the rise, and sales of nonchocolate candies are growing faster than chocolate, so keep an eye out for nonchocolate innovations.

Additionally, expect to see smaller-sized snacks—a great grab-and-go option as pre-pandemic activities pick back up. Variety packs have also gained popularity since snacking between meals increased during the pandemic, and now the choice to easily purchase options for the whole family is ideal.

Coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, food safety is still a major concern. More vendors are likely to offer plastic gloves, antiseptic wipes, sprays and more. Here’s what else is trending in foodservice:

• Dispensed beverages, looking to reinvigorate offerings after a very tough time during the pandemic, have been turning to flavor mashups and partnerships with big-name companies to create unusual offerings to grab attention.
• Global flavors are appearing more and more as customers are drawn to unusual and exotic tastes.
• One big effect of the pandemic is the need to differentiate foodservice items by flavor, quality or both to get people out of their homes to try it. Recent debuts show no sign of this abating as c-stores compete with QSRs and other foodservice options. Several c-stores have upped their game in this arena, creating eye-catching menus of sandwiches, paninis, bowls and more and adding plant-based foods.
• Interest in bean-to-cup coffee systems, which offer a fresh cup of java with every order, continues to grow. The machines reduce waste and increase quality, but price remains a barrier of entry for some retailers.

The world’s march toward mass EV adoption trudges forward and is sure to be discussed at length. The Biden administration recently proposed EV charging standards as part of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program, and automakers appear committed to their pledges to go electric.

While it’s clear the world is committed to transition to EVs, it’s unclear how the move away from gas-powered cars will work. Expect fuels-focused suppliers and education sessions at the NACS Show to take a stab at answering that question. Products on display could include electric chargers and back-office software to help manage the incoming torrent of EV charging equipment.

Also be on the lookout for products and education sessions geared toward making the experience under the forecourt as clean and seamless as possible for consumers, from expanded payment options to products centered around hygiene at the pump.

The pace of M&A may have slowed, but it never faded away. The megadeals have gotten fewer and farther between because of consolidation at the top, and the middle of the field is following suit. But retailers with fewer stores are still selling up the industry food chain, and many stores continue to become available when retailers exit the business for lack of generational succession or increased upgrade costs, among other reasons.

Another trend, however, is new-to-industry, organic growth. Chains are looking to enter new states and regions, fill in between markets or simply strengthen their foothold in existing markets with new builds. Retailers attending the NACS Show should keep their ears to the ground for new buying and selling strategies.

Flavors, flavors, flavors! Mashups, combos and nonalcohol brands dipping into alcohol options. As the lines between genres continue to blur, offerings in packaged beverages resemble dream-team-like partnerships more than ever.

Ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages, including coffee and cocktails, are growing, and carbonated soft drink (CSD) volume returned to growth in 2021 after years of decline.

Look for bottled water to flex its muscles after becoming the largest U.S. packaged beverage in 2021.

In addition, value-added water and energy drinks are poised for greater success. The pandemic spurred consumers to think more about their health and wellness, which bolstered sales in the cold vault of electrolyte-infused products.

C-store loyalty programs are becoming more advanced. Expect products and education sessions that reflect this new reality. Specifically, suppliers and presenters will be ready with tips and tools for measuring success and profitability in loyalty programs on mobile devices and beyond.

Self-checkout also continues to be popular with retailers looking to make checkout easier for customers while managing the labor crisis. Expect to see more self-checkout products and presentations.

Finally, as the customer journey becomes more and more digital, expect products and presentations centered around how retailers can take advantage of data to better serve their customers and become more profitable.

As the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continues to review premarket tobacco product applications (PMTA), it’s not likely that there will be many new tobacco products on the NACS Show floor. However, products that already received authorization may be on display, as well as innovations in one of the fastest-growing segments: modern oral nicotine (MON).

There’s also a trend of tobacco companies moving away from combustible tobacco products and into alternatives such as heat-not-burn devices or tobacco- and nicotine-free cigarettes.

Attendees can also expect to see new cannabidiol (CBD) products as the U.S. market for cannabis products is expected to reach more than $41 billion by 2026, Chicago-based market research firm IRI has said. CBD beverages, while a small part of cannabis edibles in the U.S., are growing and another item to keep an eye out for at the show.