PepsiCo puts fresh foods in focus as consumers move away from processed snacks

[Viable Food News Desk]

Publisher: Grocery Dive
Published: September 8, 2026
Source: Read at Grocery Dive
Category: Food Access

PepsiCo launched Tostitos guacamole and brought its Mediterranean-style gazpacho brand Alvalle to the U.S. as it expands into fresh foods sold in the store perimeter. The company is targeting a section with more than $271 billion in annual sales, while the vast majority of its sales still come from center-store chips, soda, water and other products. PepsiCo said its fresh-food growth plan includes new brands, possible acquisitions and moving existing products into perimeter locations. Numerator data cited in the article says perimeter trips in 2025 grew 15% faster than center-store visits, while Hartman Group data cited by PepsiCo says 61% of consumers consider freshness when making purchases and seven in 10 shoppers view perimeter food as higher quality and worth paying more for.

Why this matters: For independent grocers, PepsiCo's move could increase competition for perimeter space and shopper attention. It also signals that major packaged-food companies may seek more opportunities in fresh categories as shopper demand shifts toward less processed foods.

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