Company forecasts products and practices focused on health & wellness, body care & beauty, food & drink as well as those that are ecologically thoughtful

LAKEWOOD, Colo., Dec. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Natural Grocers®, America's Nutrition Education Experts^SM and the largest family-operated organic and natural grocery retailer in the U.S., revealed its seventh annual Top Trends for 2023. The company's experts expanded this year's predictions beyond nutrition, to include the most anticipated products and practices for 2023 in the categories of Health and Wellness; Body Care and Beauty; Food and Beverage; and those that are Ecologically Thoughtful.

To accurately pinpoint the 2023 predictions, Natural Grocers' Nutrition Education team, consisting of health and wellness experts ranging from Registered Dietitians to Certified Natural Foods Chefs, collaborated with the retailer's purchasing, marketing and analytics teams. Together, these specialists studied consumer-shopping preferences, pored over the latest research, and assessed the residual impacts of the COVID pandemic among communities to predict these rising and shifting trends.

"Though the COVID pandemic initially made its presence known almost three years ago, its lingering effects are still impacting how we approach our health and wellness, self-care and food preparation. We are seeing consumers prioritizing taking care of themselves, their families and the planet, while tightening budgets. There is a big push among both consumers and brands to minimize waste and make every dollar count," remarked Shelby Miller, MS, Natural Grocers' Director of Scientific Affairs and Nutrition Education. "We've expanded our trends for the coming year to reflect how intricately this is all tied together and how our daily purchases and practices can shape our collective wellbeing and our ability to thrive and flourish long-term."

NATURAL GROCERS' TOP TRENDS FOR 2023

Natural Grocers' Top Trends for 2023, are classified within the categories of Health & Wellness; Body Care & Beauty; Food & Beverage and those that are Ecologically Thoughtful. The team of experts also included a "Try This Trend" addition, which includes an idea or product for those who want to explore the trends for themselves. To make it a baker's dozen, there's even a Bonus Trend which is anticipated to continue long after 2023. The Top Trends are listed below (for the sake of brevity) with each category linked to the full copy, including research and references on the company's website.

HEALTH & WELLNESS TRENDS

1. EPA & DHA Will Be Top of Mind for Mental Wellbeing
2. Gut Health & Digestive Comfort Will Be a Priority
3. Apple Cider Vinegar Becomes Palatable

BODY CARE & BEAUTY TRENDS 

1. Bar-Based Products for a More Environmentally Friendly Routine
2. Ingestible Skin Care Will Have Its Glow-Up
3. Eco-Friendly Period Products Go Mainstream

ECOLOGICALLY THOUGHTFUL TRENDS

1. We'll Reduce Our Environmental Footprints with Zero-Waste Cooking
2. All-In-One Products Reign Supreme
3. Purposeful Packaging Becomes a Priority

FOOD & BEVERAGE TRENDS

1. The Sober Curious Movement Continues to Grow
2. We'll Simplify Snacking
3. We'll Indulge More Sensibly with Healthy-ish Comfort Foods

*BONUS TREND*

1. Be a Regenivore
   
   A trend that stands alone while also touching every other trend this year will be a new way of eating called the Regenivore Diet. Eating like a regenivore means making food choices that support your health and the health of the planet. Of course, it involves building delicious, healthy, and satisfying meals that provide essential nutrients the body needs to function optimally and support healthy blood sugar balance.
   
   Eating this way also supports the planet's health, because it emphasizes nourishing foods that are grown by farmers and ranchers who prioritize practices that sustain and regenerate the soil, water, biodiversity, and the overall ecosystem in which they function. What's not to love about that?!

Natural Grocers will be sharing these trends online and over their social media channels throughout December and in the upcoming volume of their Health Hotline – available online and in print this January.

• To learn more about Natural Grocers' Nutrition Education Experts, click here.
• Click here for Natural Grocers' Top Trends 2023 Media Kit.
• For media samples or press requests, please contact [email protected].

ABOUT NATURAL GROCERS BY VITAMIN COTTAGE 

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. (NYSE: NGVC) is an expanding specialty retailer of natural and organic groceries, body care products, and dietary supplements. The products sold by Natural Grocers must meet strict quality guidelines and may not contain artificial colors, flavors, preservatives or sweeteners, or partially hydrogenated or hydrogenated oils. The Company sells only USDA-certified organic produce and exclusively pasture-raised, non-confinement dairy products, and free-range eggs. Natural Grocers' flexible smaller-store format allows it to offer affordable prices in a shopper-friendly, clean, and convenient retail environment. The Company also provides extensive free science-based Nutrition Education programs to help customers make informed health and nutrition choices. The Company, founded in 1955, has 164 stores in 21 states. Visit www.NaturalGrocers.com for more information and store locations.

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SOURCE Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc.