The New Year brings a familiar rush of resets, but shopper expectations rarely reset back to simple health goals, price pressure and online convenience are all shaping how people move through the grocery store. A smart “revamp” does not have to mean remodeling. It can mean refining the parts of the shopping experience: what can shoppers find quickly, what looks worth buying and how easy it is to shop frozen and refrigerated cases without friction.
From new merchandising solutions to simple planogram changes, here are three updates that deliver meaningful impact without a full overhaul.
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Build a protein-forward path that matches GLP-1 shopping shifts
Wellness shopping is getting more specific as GLP-1 medications, used to lower blood sugar and promote weightless, become more widely used. GLP-1 households outspend non-users by 25% on protein shakes and by 9% on protein water, meat and beans or grains. And one in eight adults are currently taking a GLP-1. These protein-rich food categories are spread across multiple areas of the store presenting an opportunity to enhance navigation. Create a clear path with secondary placements and simple callouts so shoppers can find protein fast without zig-zagging the floor.
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Make refrigerated & frozen shopping faster to protect energy & margins
Cold cases are where time turns into cost. The EPA has noted that refrigeration can account for roughly 40% to 60% of a supermarket’s electricity use. If shoppers are hunting through disorganized products, they keep doors open longer and the case must work harder to recover. Organize so selection is quick: consistent shelf facings, clearer product groupings and fewer gaps. On the execution side, the ShelfHero On-Shelf Merchandising Solution can help keep high-turn frozen items front-faced so shoppers can grab what they want without holding the door open while they search. In addition to faster shopping, ShelfHero can be bulk restocked thanks to its innovative Push-Push™ lock technology, which means less energy escaping through an open freezer door during stocking.
Retail energy costs add urgency. EIA reports retail electricity prices have risen faster than inflation since 2022 and forecasts they will continue increasing through 2026. Faster selection is a small behavior change that supports a big cost center.
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Reevaluate product merchandising efforts & value cues to reduce friction
A New Year refresh can be as practical as making the store easier to navigate. Aptos research found long checkout lines are the top in-store pain point at 63%, while 51% cite products being out of stock or hard to find. Strong shelf discipline helps on both fronts. When shelves stay organized and full, staff spends less time re-conditioning and more time covering service needs. This is also where retail fixtures earn their keep. Solutions like SpaceGrid® II help maintain cleaner facings and faster stocking in high-velocity aisles.
Searching for more way to appeal to 2026 shoppers? Make sure to read our list of 2026 grocery trend predictions. Seeking merchandising solutions that address these evolving trends and behaviors? Browse our product offerings or request a quote.