Natural Products Expo West, the West Coast’s largest natural, organic and healthy products event, took place March 7th to 10th, 2023 at the Anaheim Convention Center in California. This event hosted more than 65,000 registered attendees and 3,000 exhibiting companies. Epic Sales Partners was proud to represent more than 30 brands at the show with almost 20 Epic associates visiting with our manufacturer and retailer customers.
Here are some takeaways from the show floor:
- Plant-based protein packed products are on the rise. Plant-based protein is becoming increasingly popular as consumers look for more sustainable and ethical ways to get their protein. There were many plant-based protein packed products on display at Expo West, including plant-based meats, cheeses, and milks.
- Dietary and allergen friendly products are in high demand. More and more consumers are following special diets or have food allergies. This is leading to a growing demand for dietary and allergen friendly products. Some of the most popular dietary and allergen friendly products at Expo West included gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan products.
- Functional beverages are still popular. Functional beverages, such as kombucha, CBD water, and mushroom elixirs, continue to be popular among consumers. These beverages are often marketed as having health benefits, such as improved gut health, immunity, and energy levels.
- Sustainability is a top priority for consumers. Consumers are increasingly concerned about the environmental impact of their food choices. This is leading to a growing demand for sustainable food products. Many of the exhibitors at Expo West were highlighting their sustainable practices, such as using recycled packaging or sourcing ingredients from sustainable farms.
- Celebrity endorsements still attract attention. Celebrities are seen as being more relatable and trustworthy than traditional advertising, and they can help to build brand awareness and credibility. For example, the Jonas Brothers have partnered with KIND Snacks and Rob’s Backstage Popcorn to promote their products.
- Gut health and immunity boosting products are still trending. There was a strong focus on gut health and immunity boosting products at Expo West this year. This is likely due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the public's increased awareness of the importance of gut health. Some of the most popular gut health and immunity boosting products at Expo West included probiotics, prebiotics, fermented foods, and adaptogens.
We welcome the opportunity to support manufacturers and retailers who seek to drive sales in the natural, organic and healthy living segments. You can find us at www.epicsales.com or reach out to us at info@epicsales.com.
For news, trends and coverage of the Natural Products Expos and the natural, organic and healthy living industry visit www.newhope360.com. The Natural Products Expo East 2023 is set to again take place at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, September 20th to 23rd, 2023. Expo West 2024 will return to the Anaheim Convention Center and will take place March 12th to 16th, 2024.
ABOUT EPIC SALES PARTNERS
Epic Sales Partners, Inc. provides headquarter management, retail merchandising, data analytics, technology and administrative services for the fresh, specialty, natural and organic departments. Epic serves almost 100 retailers on behalf of over 350 food manufacturers generating retail sales of $1 billion annually.
With over 35 years of experience, the company has 193 associates with an average tenure of 7.2 years who are trusted category experts that add value to retailers and manufacturers across America.
Epic is headquartered in Irving, Texas, with an additional 9 sales offices across the United States. Epic unifies Premier Sales Solutions, Maher Marketing, Frontier Food Brokerage and MPF Sales and Marketing together under the common brand "Epic Sales Partners." The company is commonly owned and managed.
