Grocery retail is undergoing a fundamental shift, and fresh departments are now at the center of growth, innovation, and consumer relevance. The insights shared at IDDBA 2026 reinforced why the dairy, deli, bakery, and prepared foods departments is where innovation is showing up first. Held June 7-9 in Orlando, IDDBA 2026 brought together more than 11,000 attendees and over 1,000 exhibiting companies to explore emerging consumer behaviors, discover innovative products, and identify practical solutions for today's retail challenges.

At the center of the show floor, What’s in Store Live drew steady crowds as the industry’s only fully-merchandised mock grocery store, bringing to life how operators are rethinking the perimeter. Bringing IDDBA's trends to life through merchandising, product innovation, and educational programming, the experience provided attendees with actionable strategies designed to help businesses meet changing consumer expectations and drive growth.

“What our team of industry professionals created in What's in Store Live reinforced that fresh is the future of grocery retail, and the perimeter is where the most dynamic consumer innovation is happening,” said Abby Despins, VP of Education & Industry Relations. “This high-energy, commercially relevant hub translated trends like protein, grab & go, portioning and more into actionable and practical solutions for retailers and manufacturers.”

What’s in Store Live continues to serve as a hub for actionable insights and inspiration, showcasing the future of fresh retail through real-world applications. This year's experience highlighted the growing importance of deli, prepared foods, bakery, and other perimeter categories as key drivers of innovation, differentiation, and growth. Attendees explored how retailers are responding to evolving consumer expectations, including demand for convenience, ingredient transparency, personalization, indulgence, and internationally inspired flavors.

Among the key takeaways from IDDBA's trends experience was the continued dominance of protein-focused products, the evolution of clean-label offerings, and the growing need to simplify meal decisions for shoppers while retaining an interesting and flavorful experience. IDDBA spotlighted solutions that help consumers balance convenience with experience, including ready-to-heat meals, hybrid deli offerings, grab-and-go formats, and smaller indulgent portions. What’s in Store Live also highlighted the continued blurring of retail and foodservice, reinforcing the industry's growing focus on foodservice at retail.

The trends and innovations featured throughout What’s in Store Live underscored why IDDBA remains a must-attend event for fresh food professionals. More than a showcase of emerging ideas, the experience provides practical, relevant strategies that attendees can immediately action within their brands or stores. Combined with the show's reputation as a premier destination for deal-making, relationship-building, and discovering new products, IDDBA 2026 reaffirmed its role as the industry’s leading stage for what’s next in fresh.