INFRA Blogs

While some folks see late summer and early fall as a time for bonfires and road trips, the parents among us know this is in fact back-to-school season and we need to plan accordingly.  Although some big box stores try to push it up earlier, the average family will do most of their school shopping in August, so it’s imperative to prepare your store’s product mix for all aspects of the upcoming school year. Here are a few key factors to consider when planning for your back-to-school shoppers.

Lunchbox Alternatives

Natural food manufacturers have increasingly turned to nostalgia to capture the attention of parents who are seeking healthier lunchbox “swaps” for their children. What’s more, many of these better-for-you swaps are already succeeding at INFRA. Instead of Lunchables, try stocking Mighty Yum’s plant-based Munchables; replace Cheeze-Its with Quest’s high-protein, low carb cheese crackers (up 133% in dollar sales at INFRA), and for the old-school kids among us, switch out Yoo-hoo with Califia chocolate oat milk (up 25% at INFRA).

The lunchbox market has also been invigorated by brands accommodating the rise in youth food allergies. Across INFRA, grocery products labeled major 9 allergen free are up 4%, while products labeled peanut, tree nut, egg, and wheat free are each up 3%. As a result, home lunch makers have a wealth of allergen-free brands to choose from. For cookies, Partake and Allergy Smart proudly fill the void and boast great sales growth at INFRA (35% and 257%, respectively). For crackers and other sweet treats look to Simple Mills and their grain-free snack line that’s currently seeing 10% growth at INFRA compared to a year ago.

After-School Activities

Outside of the lunchroom, parents will also be stocking up for after-school nourishment, moving away from traditional options to provide healthier alternatives for increased performance in school sports and activities. 

Wellness Bars are up 3% at INFRA and options like Wise Bar, with their 3000mg of functional mushroom blends and 700% growth at INFRA, are always easy to toss in a backpack or sports bag before heading to practice. Energy Gels & Snacks, up 9% at INFRA, are great for mid-practice refueling. Take Honey Stinger, up 12% at INFRA and relied upon by recent Olympic Gold Medal-winning swimmer Lilly King. 

Any hardworking student-athlete will also need some liquid fuel, which aligns perfectly with INFRA’s 39% growth in Hydration & Electrolyte beverages. Nuun (+13% at INFRA) ensures all their hydration tablets & powders are Certified Gluten Free, Kosher, Vegan, and Non-GMO Project Verified in addition to their B-Corp status and low carbon footprint goals. 

Supporting School Staff

Of course, back-to-school season is not just an adjustment for young kids. Older students, teachers, and parents alike will all be looking for pick-me-ups or wind-me-downs to assist them throughout the school year. 

Classic coffee-as-fuel has changed rapidly in recent years, with new functional ingredients added to maximize this go-to staple. Within INFRA’s shelf-stable and refrigerated coffee categories novel ingredients like Ashwagandha (+63%), Chaga (+53%), and Echinacea (+32%) are all adding a healthier profile to this staple support of teachers everywhere. 

For the younger crowd, Energy Drinks are up 3% across INFRA. And while some energy drinks do more harm than good, that’s not the case for Clean Cause’s organic yerba mate sparkling beverages (+130% at INFRA) where a whopping 50% of net profits support addiction recovery across the U.S.

Remember, SPINS can help you finish top of the class in stocking shelves smartly and earn top marks as the go-to destination for all your shoppers this school year and beyond!

Source: SPINS INFRA-Total US 52wk end 7.14.24