KeHE Updates January 2026

KeHE Category Management Team Update
KeHE has integrated the Regional Promotions Team within the Center Store Category Management Team. This team will transition to the newly named Promotion Management Team.

This new strategic alignment aligns Marketing, Category Management, and Promotion Management under one umbrella, driving consistent goals and objectives:

• Creation and Design of promotional plans that strengthen strategic supplier partnerships
• Enhance retailer engagement
• Drive sales performance and category growth

Click here to view the structure change

K-Solve Deduction Tool Update
As part of the early stages of reenvisioning our K-Solve Deduction Tool initiative, we recently released a backup document in Excel Format (Albertsons Merchandising Program – AMP, AM) for transactions processed 10/24 or later. Before the end of KeHE’s fiscal year, there will be a significant number of backup documentation available in Excel. We look forward to communicating future releases. 

KeHE Reporting Enhancements
KeHE will be releasing an AOM Inventory Gap Report and Dashboard, created to provide visibility to supplier’s AOM Events. AOM is an acronym for Advanced Order Management and is how KeHE Sales Team members request inventory to support new products and promotions on behalf of their retailers.

This data can be used alongside the Order Projections report to provide details on increases in demand. Details include:

• A summary of accounts (retailers) with AOM events, $ left to ship, and whether there is enough inventory to support, allowing you to target accounts with the most opportunities.
• Helpful filter options to drill down to DC, Brand, UPC, Account Name
• AOM Event item detail to identify inventory concerns that may require action with SC Buyers to initiate or expedite POs or connection with the retailer or KeHE Account Manager with recommendations on AOM quantities and timing.

The anticipated release date is a few weeks from now. Please look out for an official announcement with training materials. 

Enhancements will also be made to the following reports soon:

• Outbound Fill Rate – The tab will be retitled to Customer Raw Fill Rate. All corresponding visuals and labels will be updated to reflect the change. This enhancement will be visible in the Analytics Dashboard: Summary and Fill Rate Tabs, and in the Chains and Stores that Ordered an Item. The difference between the calculations is outlined below:
• Current – Outbound Service Level – The current Outbound Service Level removes items on constraint. Constrained is when the Item Status is “Long Term Out of Stock” and not available to KeHE for 4 or more weeks.
• New – Customer Raw Service Level – The new Outbound Service Level will include constrained items in the calculation.  This new metric is more reflective of “true retailer experience”.
• The Chains and Stores that Ordered an Item & Aged Inventory by Brand report within CONNECT BI® Program Reporting will align to the KeHE standard of rolling two years history. 

KeHE 2026 Macro Trends
KeHE’s insights and analytics experts share an overview of the top macro trends shaping consumer preferences in 2026.

• Return to Real. Consumers are gravitating toward foods that feel genuine and close to their source—simple, minimally processed, and connected to real people and places. This shift toward authenticity reflects a growing desire for transparency and well-being. Today, 83% of U.S. consumers read food labels before buying, and 64% pay more attention to them than they did five years ago. Among “free-from” shoppers, 84% choose these products to avoid overly processed foods, while 59% believe that fewer ingredients signal a healthier choice.

• Protein Power Up. Consumers are redefining protein with a back-to-basics mindset. Over 90% of U.S. consumers have eaten animal-based protein in the past six months, and almost half have included plant-based proteins in their diet. Shoppers favor “clean meat” attributes like grass-fed, organic, and no additives, and protein callouts on red meat packaging have doubled since 2019. At the same time, dairy and snack innovations are “proteinizing” everyday foods, from cottage cheese and yogurt to cookies and ready-to-drink beverages. The next wave pairs protein with fiber for fuller, nutrient-dense eating that supports weight and blood sugar management.

• Crave the World. Global flavors continue to fuel U.S. food innovation and retail growth as consumers embrace both new and familiar international cuisines. Ethnic aisle sales rose 2.9% in 2024 to $9.35 billion, outpacing total grocery growth. Nearly 65% of U.S. shoppers want more international products in their supermarkets, and engagement spans every aisle, from frozen and snacks to sauces and bakery. Younger consumers are leading discovery, with 52% of Gen Z and 51% of Millennials finding new cuisines through social media. Interest is expanding beyond staples to flavors like ube, tamarind, chimichurri, and bulgogi, signaling that global exploration has moved from novelty to everyday eating.

• Designing Wellness. Wellness is becoming deeply personal, driven by technology, transparency, and self-awareness. From fitness trackers to AI-powered insights, health data is transforming into daily action. Retailers are evolving into wellness hubs, as consumers now consider how their everyday habits affect their health and seek more guided, educational shopping experiences. Top self-care priorities such as energy, sleep, and cognition are fueling demand for functional, restorative products, and the growing food-as-medicine mindset is strengthening shoppers’ connection to brands that align with their values through certifications like USDA Organic and Non-GMO (SPINS).

The Informed Shopper. Empowered by AI, apps, and social media, consumers are shopping with greater awareness and intent. Tools like Yuka, with over 75 million users worldwide, and retailer-integrated health scoring systems are influencing real-time decisions at the shelf. Transparency also extends beyond clean labels to clear pricing, especially as economic pressures reshape behavior. Nearly 49% of Americans plan to buy less, and 40% expect to switch to cheaper brands to offset rising costs.