What Does a Smart Retail Growth Strategy Look Like in 2025?
A new wave of retail transformation is here. As we head into 2025, both CPG leaders and shoppers are aligning around the same two imperatives: smarter use of data and sharper focus on value. According to Bain & Company, 90% of CPG executives are experimenting with AI, yet only 6% have a roadmap to realize business value from it (Bain). Meanwhile, NielsenIQ reports that 64% of U.S. shoppers plan to cut food spending if prices rise further (NielsenIQ).
This shift makes a strong retail growth strategy more important than ever. It’s not just about reacting to market pressures—it’s about building a foundation for long-term CPG growth, effective revenue management, and smarter CPG retail decisions in a competitive, margin-tight environment.
Why does retail growth strategy matter now?
Because we’re not in 2021 anymore. Today’s market is fragmented, inflation-weary, and constantly shifting. And while ecommerce has surged, retail shelf strategy still drives the bulk of purchases for many CPGs.
You need a retail growth strategy that can flex across online, offline, and hybrid channels. One that taps into real-time consumer behavior, not outdated assumptions. Done right, this approach supports CPG growth, helps improve revenue management, and connects marketing directly to ROI.
12 retail growth strategies for today’s market
You know your challenges. Here are the strategies that meet them head-on—with the potential to unlock new levels of CPG retail success.
1. Expand where your audience already shops
Don’t chase every trend. Focus expansion efforts on markets, channels, and platforms where your target shopper is already active. Tastewise’s retail data helps identify where consumer demand is rising across physical and digital shelves.
2. Introduce new formats, not just new SKUs
Experiment with pack sizes, pricing tiers, and product formats to attract multiple consumer segments. Think value packs, trial sizes, or occasion-specific formats.
3. Prioritize high-frequency consumption moments
Lean into consumption moments that happen weekly or daily (breakfast, work snacks, kids’ lunches). These high-frequency occasions can drive recurring revenue and support CPG growth.
4. Be smart about promotions
Use dynamic pricing and analytics to decide where, when, and how long to discount. This balances volume gains with revenue management priorities. Limited-Time Offers (LTOs) are especially effective when tied to trending flavors or cultural moments—promote what people are already talking about online and on shelf.
5. Treat shelf space like ad space
Retail shelf strategy is more than planograms—it’s about visibility, placement, and performance. Use sales data and visual AI to optimize shelf positioning in real time, adjusting to market shifts.
6. Test more, faster
Use rapid concept testing (like Tastewise’s predictive analytics) to launch products with confidence. The faster you test, the faster you learn—and that keeps you ahead of slower-moving competition.
7. Build localized assortments
What sells in Dallas may flop in Detroit. Use hyperlocal data to adjust flavor profiles, product claims, or package messaging to reflect regional tastes and preferences.
8. Connect recipes to your product
Tie your products to what consumers are actively cooking, searching, and sharing. With the right content engine, food retail marketing can spark discovery and usage.
9. Own your category story
Make your brand the go-to for a full solution—like snacks for game night or quick family dinners. Category leadership builds loyalty and primes you for cross-sell.
10. Automate your insights-to-action pipeline
There’s too much noise to do this manually. Platforms like Tastewise give CPGs the tools to act fast—on what flavors are trending, what formats are rising, and where demand is shifting.
11. Treat packaging like media
Your packaging isn’t just functional—it’s one of your biggest conversion levers. Use packaging claims based on real-time interest, and treat it like an ad that gets evaluated every single time it’s on the shelf.
12. Partner for growth
Sometimes the fastest way to scale is through strategic partnerships—with influencers, retailers, or even other brands. Look for partners that complement your positioning and audience.
What’s inside the retail strategy ebook?
Our eBook—The Top 5 Shifts in Retailer Revenue Strategy for 2025—dives deeper into what’s changing and why it matters. You’ll get insight into how retailers and CPGs are rethinking growth, pricing, and shopper engagement across channels.
It’s built for decision-makers like you—brand, marketing, insights, and revenue leaders in the F&B space. No fluff. Just practical strategies and fresh data you can use.
Wrapping up
Retail growth strategy isn’t a “nice to have.” It’s your path to winning shelf space, shopper attention, and market share. With the right moves—from better revenue management to high-impact CPG retail campaigns—you can drive measurable CPG growth without overspending.
As shopper behavior keeps shifting, your food retail marketing must shift too. Fast, data-driven execution is the name of the game. And with tools that help you move from insight to impact, you’ll be the one setting the pace, not catching up to it