Innovation in Nonfood Sections Promotes Better Living
Overview. Thousands of nonfood products will be on display at the 2025 Show including such items as OTC pharmaceuticals, vitamins and wellness products, skin and sun care, first aid, nail and hair care, household cleaners and paper goods. Assorted accessories, devices, kitchenware, and general merchandise can also be found among the other categories on the show floor in the South Hall.
Key trends you’ll see this year include:
Self-Care & Wellness is a big opportunity for private label as consumers shift to a healthier lifestyle focusing on inner and outer wellness. Catering to consumers’ life stages, retailers are offering trend forward innovations in everything from soothing facial masks, suncare and essential oils to bath balms, in-home spa products and elevated skin care. Adult supplements, functional ingredient gummies, female-centric care, light therapy, spot patches, skin implements, accessories and more will be trending at this year’s Show.
Baby Care is top of mind for parents wanting to stretch the budget of their growing family while seeking products that are clean and sustainably sourced with natural and wellness attributes from a retailer they know and trust. Eco-friendly wipes, bath and body care with functional ingredients, soothing lotions, fragrances and oils as well as good-for-you snacks and beverages for babies and toddlers are growing in popularity.
Beauty is also a rapidly expanding category with private label beauty growing to $3.9bn in sales in 2024. Specialty chains, online and mass outlets are deploying non-traditional marketing to appeal to consumers who want socially aware, eco-friendly, effective and affordable products to meet their specific needs. Luxury and spa-like lotions, oils, creams and skin care, make-up, fragrances, haircare and men’s grooming are just some of the categories in demand.
School and Office Products continue to benefit as hybrid and work from home is the norm. The school and office supply category in discounters, clubs and mass merchandisers and specialty outlets now include consumables and cleaning supplies to meet the needs of on-the-go professionals. In addition to traditional paper and writing utensils, retailers now carry art and school supply kits, storage solutions, craft tapes and adhesives as well as small electronics and seasonal decor.
Kitchenware, Home Goods & Food Service supplies continue to have robust sales as more families are preparing and eating meals at home. Today’s busy families are seeking innovative and time-saving kitchen tools and gadgets, as well as cookware and baking accessories to make food prep quick and easy. Multi-tasking professionals are bolstering the food service category as they seek convenience on a budget by shopping at their local grocery or convenience store to pick up restaurant-quality food they’ll serve and store at home using sustainable tableware, foils, wraps, plastics and containers.