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Summer Retail Merchandising Trends: Driving Grocery Success in 2025

6/30/2025
summer
Gatorade Mashups display (click to expand)
summer
Gatorade Mashups display (click to expand)

Foot traffic and trips to grocery stores remain strong heading into summer 2025. As inflation concerns linger and household budgets tighten, many consumers have shifted discretionary dollars away from restaurants and opted instead to cook and entertain at home. 

The Evolution of the In-Store Shopping Experience research released by the Path to Purchase Institute in May shows that 29% of shoppers are headed to grocery stores with greater frequency compared to last year, and only 14% reducing trips to the channel. This shift is fueling continued strength in grocery retail, particularly for those who can adapt their merchandising strategies to meet evolving shopper behaviors.

A continuing trend is the ongoing rise of private labels. Once considered a compromise purchase, today’s store brands are more sophisticated, innovative and attractive than ever. 

According to P2PI’s study, 29% of respondents state they are buying private label more often. Yes, price is the No. 1 reason shoppers select private label. But the study also shows that overall value, appealing packaging and eye-catching displays are also swaying consumer sentiment. 

Brands must be aware of standing out and clearly promoting their value proposition in-store.

Seasonal displays are key to command shopper attention. Summer is rich with thematic opportunities that resonate emotionally with shoppers: grilling season, patriotic celebrations such as the Fourth of July, beach and road trips, and backyard fun. 

Smart brands are leaning into these themes to create displays that are more than just decorative — they’re solutions

By cross-merchandising related products together — think hot dogs, buns, condiments, chips and soft drinks near grilling gear — these displays can inspire unplanned purchases and drive impulse buying.

Impulse shopping is key in grocery, with nearly 80% of grocery shoppers stating they make spontaneous purchases at least some of the time. Shoppers come in with a list; meanwhile, other research consistently shows that more than 90% of in-store purchase decisions are made subconsciously

This means your display often has just a few seconds to break through the mental autopilot of the grocery trip. Positioning, visuals and sensory appeal all play a role.

To truly capitalize on summer’s opportunity, marketers must remember that visibility is the starting point to win with the shopper. Bold, clear visuals with vibrant colors and minimal clutter help shoppers immediately identify what’s being promoted. 

Also, think about adding some flash, like metallic highlights, gloss finishes or even some LED lighting to get attention. Movement (fluttering flags, spinning elements), recognizable icons (grills, sunglasses, fireworks) and interactive elements (QR codes leading to recipes or sweepstakes) can also increase engagement. 

In short, the most successful summer merchandising strategies are those that combine value messaging, emotional themes and executional excellence. 

With private label innovation rising, consumer behavior shifting toward at-home consumption and shoppers open to seasonal inspiration, now is the time to lean in. Connect your retail strategy to your out-of-store strategy to drive your ROI. 

Make your display command attention, tell a story and create a solution that makes your shopper’s summer easier, tastier and more memorable.

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great northern instore p2pi

About the Author: Dan Sabanosh is director of shopper marketing for Great Northern Instore, a leading designer and manufacturer of merchandising solutions, where he helps clients be more insightful when developing their retail programs. Before joining Great Northern, Sabanosh worked for Colgate-Palmolive in both shopper marketing and brand management roles.

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