Summer rewrites the rules of grocery shopping. Shopper behavior shifts dramatically during this high-velocity season, affecting everything from category performance to impulse buys and merchandising strategy. Grocers who adapt their displays and assortments to meet these evolving preferences stand to gain across multiple aisles.
Shoppers shed cold-weather habits as soon as the mercury climbs. According to NIQ, 82% of annual watermelon sales and more than half of all hot-dog and bun volume land in the 93 days of summer—a surge that reshapes traffic patterns, basket size and category velocity.
1. Spotlight summertime staples early
Ensure hot summer items get the merchandising love they deserve. In addition to grillables and watermelon, NIQ’s data shows ketchup, mayo and mustard sales jump 27% during the summer months. Soft-drink item velocity rises 20%, and volume sold on display rises by 60%. Set eye-level displays at the front of the store and in power lanes to catch planning and impulse trips. SpaceGrid Shelf keep condiments front-faced while SpaceGrid® II boosts pack-out in refrigerated cases so grillables stay stocked during weekend rushes.
2. Serve the seasonal health kick
Warm weather nudges shoppers toward lighter fare. Produce departments see notable lifts in leafy greens, berries and melon wedges once grilling season starts. Position color-blocked islands for salad kits near packaged meats and the deli to encourage cross-category purchases. These items are popular—but also prone to bruising, wilting, and shrink. To keep seasonal favorites fresh and eye-catching, equip displays with SpaceGrid® II. Its angled trays reduce spoilage by keeping delicate produce visible and rotated.
3. Lean into private label and value
A recent Path to Purchase Institute survey finds 29% of consumers are buying more private-label groceries this summer to stretch budgets. Highlight store brands next to national favorites in mixed-brand bundles—think burger patties, buns and store-brand cheese slices for one price. The SpaceGrid® II merchandising system makes side-by-side displays simple, cutting restock time and improving shelf discipline. Available in narrow, standard and wide, SpaceGrid II can accommodate different package sizes while utilizing every inch of display space.
4. Tell the backyard story
NIQ reports that 67% of Americans plan to host or attend a cookout this year, creating a ready-made narrative for thematic displays. Stage turnkey “Cookout Tonight” islands—protein, produce, buns, drinks, charcoal and disposable serve-ware—near customer flow intersections. QR codes linking to recipes or playlist suggestions add experiential flair that millennials value.
Smart merchandising turns predictable seasonal swings into measurable growth. With the right display systems and data-driven planograms, you can ride the summer volume wave and exit August with cleaner shelves, fuller baskets and happier shoppers.