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Articles by Scott Dicker
GLP-1 Drugs and Nutrition Gaps: Douglas Kalman, PhD, Explains the Companion Nutrition Opportunity
News|Videos|September 1, 2026 Author(s)Douglas Kalman, Nova Southeastern University , Sebastian Krawiec Douglas Kalman, PhD, explains how to support GLP-1 user nutrition, previewing his upcoming session on formulating for muscle preservation at Outlook on Active Nutrition.
2026 CPG Outlook: SPINS Executive Pulse Survey
Available in pdf Download As CPG leaders enter 2026, the industry is hitting a disruptive moment where the imperative to evolve is taking center stage. Shifting consumer expectations, accelerating technology, and new commerce models are reshaping what it takes to compete, and many teams are investing aggressively while still feeling underprepared for what comes next.
Shaping the Shelf: The Trends Defining CPG in 2026
As consumers enter 2026 with evolving priorities, the food, beverage, and wellness industries face shifting expectations around how people shop, eat, and support their health. Conscious consumption, frictionless discovery, and the influence of AI are accelerating changes in both innovation and purchasing behavior.
2026 Trend Predictions
Available in pdf Download The food, beverage, and wellness industries are undergoing a profound transformation driven by shifting consumer values, technological acceleration, and economic volatility. This report identifies and explores the most critical trend areas shaping the 2026 landscape, with a special focus on how brands, retailers, and innovators can stay ahead of disruption.
The Next Generation of Consumers
This report decodes how Millennials and Gen Z are reshaping the CPG landscape. From what they buy, where they shop, and the health, flavor, and value cues that move them. By connecting point-of-sales data to panel data and shopper surveys, this report shows who is driving growth and where those needs are being met across the aisles.
Sweetening sports nutrition: How alternative sweeteners are changing formulation strategies – SupplySide Education Series webinar
Low-sugar, high-protein bars, pouches, ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages and more are catching the eye of hardcore athletes and active lifestyle practitioners alike. Most of these consumers are looking for products that taste good without being loaded with calories and sugar. In this webinar, we discuss which alternative sweeteners are the best choice for protein products, what’s difficult about using them and the top tips for how to formulate for active people.
High polyphenol Med diet cut aging in Israeli study
A new, 18-month study has found that adding more polyphenols to a standard Med diet in the form of walnuts, green tea and duckweed improves its anti aging potential. Higher polyphenol intake has been associated with slower biological aging in a dietary intervention study conducted in Israel. This is the first time this correlation has been firmly established in this way, the authors claimed.
10 more innovative SupplySide West exhibitors you have to visit
For 10 more ingredient suppliers we love, check out our top 10 list from last week. Booth #2420 Three big growth categories are this company’s focus this year. Cranberex is a high-grade Oregon cranberry with new research re-affirming its potency and effectiveness. AlphaWave L-theanine is a key ingredient in the stress relief category with two clinical studies showing significant increase in alpha brainwave activity and resulting relaxation and cognitive benefits.
FDA’s new food leader questions support behind many dietary supplement product claims
The Food and Drug Administration’s new deputy commissioner for human foods on Thursday addressed what he’s learned so far about the challenges facing the agency in policing the dietary supplement industry. “What I have learned is that there are a lot of claims that are made by a lot of companies for which it is not clear to us that there is always supporting data behind that,” James “Jim” Jones said during a media briefing with reporters to discuss his new role and answer questions.
Putting some teeth into sustainability
What’s the best way for brands to make their mark in the sustainability realm? An education session at SupplySide West will examine that question in detail. The session, “Not just a buzzword: The keys to making sustainability an actualized business practice,” will take place from 9 a.m. to noon on Friday, Oct. 27 in the Islander Ballroom C at Mandalay Bay. The concept of sustainability has been gaining traction in the mainstream media and within the marketplace.
Supplement industry news and updates – October 2023
Inside the Bottle brings you the latest supplement industry news in this monthly roundup. Survey reveals differences, challenges in supplement sustainability—research Fifty-six percent of respondents to a global industry survey said environmental sustainability was already of high relevance to their company. Forty-eight percent said cost to consumer was holding their company back from doing more. Get the details of the International Alliance of Dietary/Food Supplements Associations (IADSA) survey.
Fresh Thyme Market reveals inaugural top 10 food trends for 2024
Fresh Thyme Market, a grocer with a mission to provide communities with real quality fresh food, vitamins, and body care products, is unveiling its first trends report with a focus on Midwest shopping behaviors and brands. The report's 10 insights offer a glimpse into the emerging trends that shoppers can expect to see in each aisle of the store next year.
SupplySide West session will explore how AI, tech are moving the microbiome research needle
Attendees of the education session will hear from Brightseed, a company using AI to identify the bioactives in the microbiome that are responsible for different health outcomes, among other presentation topics. It’s clear the body’s many microbiomes play a key role in human health.
Top 10 SupplySide West supplier exhibitor highlights
Innovation continues in nutritional ingredients that power trending supplement new product launches. At a Glance SupplySide West kicks off next week at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. Thousands of booths will vie for brand attention. Top 10 list provides insight into consumer trends. Booth #1617 Prebiotics are the lunchbox for the market-trending probiotic bacteria.
Supply chain concerns will be top of mind at SupplySide West
An education session at the upcoming trade show will delve into how companies are facing these challenges. The pandemic sent a shock through the global supply chain for dietary ingredients that companies are only now recovering from. A three-hour education session at the upcoming SupplySide West trade show will lay out the lessons that have been learned. The shocks to the global supply of dietary ingredients were driven mostly by pandemic lockdowns in several countries, most notably China.
Diverse needs continue to drive demand and growth in children’s health – spotlight
The Nutrition Business Journal (NBJ) takes a broad view of the children’s health segment opportunity and, according to one NBJ analyst, “COVID-19 certainly opened the door of opportunity in the kids’ health market.” Unlike almost every other condition, the record year for growth in children’s health supplements was not in 2020, but came in 2021 with 18.5% growth, according to the new NBJ 2023 Condition Specific Report.
Clinical studies confirm VERISOL® collagen peptides benefit skin elasticity, reduce wrinkles, improve cellulite
When it launched in 2012, VERISOL® electrified the beauty-from-within market. Backed by clinical trials demonstrating visible benefits for wrinkles, skin elasticity, cellulite, nail health and hair thickness, it supports skin health and beauty from the inside out. And the secret of its success? GELITA’s patented Bioactive Collagen Peptides®, optimized to stimulate production of dermal collagen and all other extracellular matrix proteins.
Upending nutrition and weight support categories Original
Ozempic and similar medications are being used in new and different ways than originally intended, and the usage of these medications for weight loss is peripherally affecting sales of certain nutritional products. This weight loss phenomenon is driving sales of highly nutritive products to fill in the nutrition gaps as consumers seek a new normal.
Supplement industry gaps and opportunities
The last three years have been an exciting and bumpy ride for the U.S. supplement market. Growth was up double digits one year and barely broke into single digits the next. Stronger growth currently means an upswing may be returning and changing consumer attitudes and preferences are a big factor. However, as people return to shopping at brick-and-mortar stores and face rising totals at checkout, some consumers are questioning the efficacy and value of supplements in their health regimens.
Duffy Hayes | Natural Products Insider
Duffy Hayes joined Informa Markets and Natural Products Insider in January 2020. He has more than two decades of experience as a working journalist, previously as an editor and reporter at a daily newspaper and also as a B2B journalist in the telecommunications and home security industries.
CPG accelerator SKU accepting applications for 12-week spring program
SKU, a leading accelerator for consumer-packaged goods (CPGs), is accepting applications for the Spring ’24 Track. Ideal candidates are market-validated companies with compelling founders and innovative products in hot categories—including food and beverage, pet care, beauty and apparel—and revenue of $100,000 or more. Participating founders will be expected to exchange a 5% stake in their company, which will be distributed primarily among the mentors.
Nutrition Capital Network to host ingredient technology meeting at SupplySide West
From the Nutrition Capital Network ingredient technology meeting to an education session on healthy aging, Natural Products Insider has identified five learning and networking opportunities on day 2 of SupplySide West. Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023 On Tuesday, education is the name of the game.
6 ingredients that power proactive women’s supplement products
By June Lin Women’s health is a growing consumer segment with a range of biological needs that evolve throughout women’s life stages, from adolescence to adulthood. Women are striving to improve their general health and wellness to stay as active, healthy and confident as long as possible and to facilitate healthy aging in the long term. They’re taking a proactive and holistic approach to their wellness that supports physical, mental and emotional health and well-being.
7 growing categories, ingredients worth watching
The vitamins and supplements space has seen its fair share of ups and downs in 2023, but top performers are still driving it to overall growth. Like many areas of health and wellness, vitamins and supplements were affected by inflation concerns, evolving consumer values and changing trends—all of which shifted the category’s landscape.
NSF to host GMP courses for supplement brands at SupplySide West
Before SupplySide West kicks off its comprehensive education, exhibit hall and networking offerings, early birds seeking knowledge about the regulatory landscape can take advantage of the first of two days of NSF training. Monday, Oct. 23, 2023 Before SupplySide West kicks off its comprehensive education, exhibit hall and networking offerings, early birds seeking knowledge about the regulatory landscape can take advantage of the first of two days of NSF training.
Technology offers affordable ingredient sourcing choices
The state of “radical innovation” is at an all-time high for finished-product brands looking to source consistent, high-quality ingredients. At a Glance There have never been more ways to produce ingredients. From synthetic botanicals to precision fermentation—and more. Tech track at SupplySide West explores many of these technologies.
MS 10 - Supporting women’s menopausal health - webinar
At a Glance Hear the specifics on this new proprietary botanical ingredient and how it is meeting new market demands Learn about the various human clinical trials supporting MS-10’s efficacy Gain understanding of its regulatory approvals and allowable label claims Women are looking for new solutions, especially botanicals, to address the symptoms of menopause.
Study finds good results for knee pain using formula combining three joint health ingredients
A recent study has found that krill oil combined with astaxanthin and a form of hyaluronic acid has a clinically significant effect on joint pain associated with osteoarthritis. The new research was published in the journal Nutrients. It was the work of researchers associated with hospitals and universities in South Korea as well as an employee of Valensa International, which funded the study. The study material was a proprietary Valensa formulation, branded as FlexPro MD.
Supplements 101 session at SupplySide West highlights industry basics, best practices
The dietary supplement industry is vast and varied, offering a career path rich with opportunity, but also rife with a learning curve that can be overwhelming. At this year’s SupplySide West/Food ingredients North America trade show at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, one of the 14 feature education tracks is “Supplements 101: Fundamentals for a successful journey.” On Tuesday, Oct.
How product positioning can be an effective marketing tool
Marketing is important to the success of any product in any industry, but it has a unique role in the VMS world. Vitamins, minerals and supplements are elective parts of many shoppers’ health and wellness routines, which means awareness and education often come from informal sources (friends, media, social media). The onus is on shoppers to learn more about which VMS options meet their values and needs. Marketing can address those needs—and it’s not just about ad copy.
Karen Butler | Natural Products Insider
Karen Butler is a senior managing editor at Informa Markets. For more than two decades, she’s worked in a variety of editorial roles, covering topics such as animal nutrition, functional beverages, and dietary supplement ingredients and trends. Reach her at [email protected].
Scott Dicker | Natural Products Insider
Scott Dicker is a nutrition researcher at SPINS and has applied his education in nutrition and dietetics, as well as his education and experience in sports nutrition, to the ongoing development of the SPINS Product Library. Dicker helps drive the development of the Product Library that leads to the identification of new trends and opportunities supporting retailer and manufacturer business plans.
Scott Dicker | SPINS
Scott Dicker is a the marketing insights director at SPINS, where he has worked since October 2016. He uses his education and experience to identify, predict and analyze nutrition trends, communicate with media, retailers and brands, and support the SPINS Product Library. He has a bachelor's degree in nutrition sciences from the University of Arizona. Dicker is a regular contributor to New Hope Network and frequently speaks at New Hope events.
What's next for kale chips?
"For any other entrepreneurs that are out there that want to start a kale company, the house is full," says Rhythm Superfoods CEO Scott Jensen. Indeed, kale chips have proliferated in the snack aisles of natural and conventional grocers alike, and even in some convenience stores. But Jensen says there's still growth to come. By not cornering itself in the kale chip market, Rhythm can adapt when tastes and trends change.
Jeff Church, CEO of Suja
Suja is one of the fastest-growing organic juice brands ever, but just a few years ago, co-founders Eric Ethans and Annie Lawless were delivering coolers full of the cold-pressed juice to local customers without a name or a scalable business model. Since cold-pressed juice is unpasteurized to preserve nutrients, it normally has a 3 to 4 day shelf life, making it unfit for store distribution. It wasn't until the founders joined forces with Jeff Church that a larger vision began to take shape.
Unveiling the miraculous power of New Zealand's Mānuka Honey
Explore the journey of New Zealand's mānuka honey from hive to home, the rigorous standards safeguarding its authenticity and the countless ways this golden elixir enhances well-being. New Zealand's mānuka honey is unlike any other honey in the world. With its unique, non-peroxide properties, synergies and bioactivity, this honey is a powerhouse in personal health and healing.
A history of innovation
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Don’t settle when it comes to snacking
With flavors and ingredients for every need, consumers don’t need to choose second best—just Second Nature. With snacking on the rise, consumers are seeking plant-based, sustainable, whole-food products with ingredient lists they recognize and clean protein profiles. Second Nature ticks all these boxes, providing the healthful benefits consumers want with the flavors they didn’t know they needed.
Developing your new product pipeline for long-term success
Innovation is the heartbeat of the natural products industry. With its visionary entrepreneurs, businesses, farmers, formulators and other luminaries, the industry continues to lead in launching innovative products to meet evolving consumer—and planetary—needs. Successful natural products companies identify and innovate for market needs, tracking ingredient trends alongside the large-scale emotional shifts and cultural forces shaping consumer preferences and needs.
SPINS Market Update
After a dip in the market during the pandemic, the beauty industry has come back in strides, exceeding previous growth and continuing to climb to an all-time high while shoppers put a greater stress on their overall wellness, inside and out. One of the most popular trends to come out of this development has been an emphasis on feeding the inside to promote beauty on the outside.
Scott Dicker
SPINS Market Update Fueling Beauty from Within The beauty industry has come back in strides Read More Consumers Seek Functionality in Performance Products 42% rate at which the performance market is growing. Across the grocery store, we have been witnessing how the pandemic has affected retailers, brands, and shoppers from supply chain issues and inflation to the introduction of new trends and flavors to the market. During this time, shoppers’ daily routines...
Who is the values-oriented consumer-and why should you care?
Every consumer has a list of priorities that includes price, ingredients, convenience and more when they head to the store. Today, some shoppers prioritize larger ideals that make for a more complicated but influential customer. They are the values-oriented consumer—and they make up 49% of consumers. Who is the values-oriented consumer?
SPINS at Natural Products Expo West 2023
Network with SPINS Sign Up for Happy Hour Expo West Kick-Off Party, Presented by SPINS Wednesday, March 8 | 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM Hilton Anaheim, Ballroom Join SPINS & Naturally Network on March 8 for the official Expo West Kick-Off Party. Enjoy cocktails, appetizers, and connection. Kick-off your Expo by building relationships with natural product leaders, members, and Partners. RSVP for The Event
Consumers Seek Functionality in Performance Products
Across the grocery store, we have been witnessing how the pandemic has affected retailers, brands, and shoppers from supply chain issues and inflation to the introduction of new trends and flavors to the market. During this time, shoppers’ daily routines were uprooted and replaced with hasty contingency plans, which left many households feeling unsettled and unsure of how to adjust to this new normal.
SPINS at Natural Products Expo East 2022
Philadelphia Convention Center Sep 28 - Oct 1, 2022 Find SPINS at Booth #2623, network at our Happy Hour, attend our education sessions, or schedule a 1:1 meeting.
Shoppers Look to Relieve Stress Through Functional Ingredients
In a more typical time, the average person already has plenty of reasons to stress out and lose sleep about what’s happening in their lives. For the last couple of years, however, there have been even more reasons to feel unsettled on both macro and micro levels. The ongoing pandemic, economic concerns, political events, and supply chain issues are all affecting daily life for pretty much everyone.
4 Reasons International Flavors Make Smart Business
Businesses that cater to a diverse customer base outperform businesses that don’t. According to SPINS data, businesses that have a diverse customer base have a 4.0% year-over-year sales growth rate versus 0.6% for those who don’t. That’s not surprising when you look at the 2020 U.S. Census, which found that 42% the U.S. population is Black, Hispanic, Asian, and other non-white ethnicities.
4 Things You Can Do to Grow Your Sales While Competing with Amazon
When you are a regional grocer these days, the landscape is tough. You have to worry about supply chain issues, big box stores, other local competition, and the growing giant competitor out there, Amazon. It feels like Amazon is putting its hand into every single category. It can be frustrating and appear insurmountable. Don’t worry, though. Many Regional and Independent Grocers are thriving by using the following strategies to grow, even in the middle of the most hectic of times. 1.
Exploring 2022 Trend Drivers
In 2022, wellness is going to be driving the major trends in the industry. Everyone’s pursuit of wellness will be different, however, and these are some of the top trends to watch for in the coming year.
6 Trends We Saw at Expo East
As SPINS' Marketing Data Analyst and Trade Show Insider, Scott covers the latest trends and insights within the Health and Wellness Industry. After going virtual in 2020, Expo East returned to an in-person experience in Philadelphia this year. Even though we were all wearing masks and practicing safety precautions, it felt like old times. Brands of all sizes presented their latest innovation and surprised us as we went from booth to booth.
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