Every year, industry professionals compete to predict what we’ll be eating tomorrow. While some trends may seem like fads, others reflect profound changes in consumer expectations and buying behaviour. With diversity, transparency and an experience-driven approach, 2026 promises to be full of opportunities.
Published on Jan 26,2026 at 2:32 PM | Updated on Jan 28,2026 at 3:35 PM

1. Local production, global inspiration

In 2024, 75% of French people were already saying they were more inclined to buy food products that were made in France. The overwhelming majority is of the opinion that “made here” is reassuring. Because it echoes well-known traditions, promotes know-how and makes the act of buying meaningful. This quest for authenticity transcends borders. When it comes to products from elsewhere, consumers pay particular attention to the stories they tell and the ancestral practices they embody. The better to reconnect with what is real.

 

2. Dietary diversity, a new health equation

Superfoods, adaptogenic mushrooms, protein products, plant-based alternatives… The list of products with proven health benefits is constantly growing. According to Accenture, 58% of consumers say that they prefer food and drink products that claim these. When it comes to reconciling health and enjoyment, diversity takes precedence over performance. Consumers are moving towards a more inquisitive and balanced approach, a sort of rediscovered common sense concerning food. They want to vary tastes and textures, so they no longer have to choose between eating well and indulging.

 

3. Transparency, the new label of trust

With several million users every month, the Yuka app has made a major contribution to reconnecting consumers with what’s on their plates, as has NutriScore, which is endorsed by 91% of French people. They don’t just want to buy: they want to understand. Proof is no longer optional: products need to show their credentials. Manufacturing origin, product composition, environmental impact, organic or fair-trade certification, social commitments… Transparency is essential at every level to guarantee quality for increasingly well-informed and demanding consumers.

Sources : 

- Statista (Consumption of local products in France – facts and figures)

- Verallia (What consumer expectations will shape the packaging and drinks of tomorrow?)

- Santé Publique France (Press release, French health authorities)

 

4. The era of the community brand

Today, having a good product is no longer enough to attract customers. Faced with increasing competition, a new challenge is reshaping the fine food sector: capitalising on uniqueness in order to stand out. Through a strong identity, personal history, sincere values and a special relationship with the community. Each brand puts over its own story in order to create an emotion, get people to embrace a lifestyle, pique interest and become a benchmark. The good news is that this is no longer the exclusive domain of the big players: the La Meulerie cheese shops in Marseille are a perfect example.

 

5. Together we’re stronger

In terms of attention stakes, the days of “every man for himself” are over. Many hands contribute to visibility: brands, artisans, producers, chefs, celebrities, influencers, artists… Together, they pool their strengths to tell a common story, with a view to collective success. The scope for collaboration is limitless: co-creation of products or events, cross-tastings, themed workshops or even pop-up sales outlets. Le Marché Branché, the first Parisian concept store entirely about healthy products, features around twenty French and European brands.

 

The + point for grocers

 

6. Appealing to the senses to drive sales

Providing a sensory experience by nature, fine food retails arouse the curiosity of enthusiastic palates. Colours, textures and fragrances are becoming as important as taste. And that’s before they even put anything in their shopping basket. Because “a product touched is a product half bought”, in-store sensory areas are becoming an essential part of the shopping experience. They also help create a memorable moment that builds customer loyalty and cements your shop’s image as a place for gourmet discoveries.

Magazine A gout sur - Gourmet Selection

Good Taste Guaranteed: Fine food on the move

A true editorial extension of the Gourmet Selection trade show, the magazine Good Taste Guaranteed: Fine food on the move, supports quality grocery professionals in their strategic thinking. Trend analyses, market insights and feedback provide concrete keys to understanding developments in the sector and anticipating consumer expectations.
Meet all the professionals in the fine and quality grocery sector at the Gourmet Selection trade show from Sunday 7 to Monday 8 June 2026 at Paris Expo - Porte de Versailles Pavilion 7.2.
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