Fresh Produce Sales Bolstered Retail Growth
Fresh food departments accounted for 41 percent of total retail sales in 2025 as chains increased their focus on produce.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Organic Food
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A new report from FMI shows that fresh departments captured a significant portion of food retail sales in 2025. Consumer demand for healthy, convenient options has prompted retailers to prioritize these sections.
Why it matters
Retailers are expanding fresh departments to satisfy the growing consumer preference for healthy and convenient food choices. This strategy helps grocery stores differentiate their offerings and improve overall labor productivity.
Fruit dollar sales rose 5.9 percent and vegetable sales increased 0.3 percent for the year ending November 2, 2025. Produce generated $287 in sales per labor hour, significantly outperforming the $218 store-wide average.
The players
FMI
FMI is an industry association that provides research and reports on the food retail sector.
The details
Supermarkets are increasingly utilizing technology for demand planning, with 44 percent of retailers currently employing these solutions. To further boost sales, 87 percent of retailers integrated local produce assortments into their inventory in 2025.
Timeline
Fresh departments accounted for 41 percent of retail sales throughout 2025.
The reporting period for fruit and vegetable sales growth concluded on November 2, 2025.
A total of 19 percent of retailers plan to adopt inventory management technology in 2026.
Culture Shift
This focus on fresh departments reflects a wider societal shift toward prioritizing health and convenience in grocery shopping. Retailers are actively moving away from traditional store layouts to accommodate expanded produce and grab-and-go options.
Shoppers can expect to see larger fresh produce sections and more local food options in their neighborhood supermarkets. These changes aim to improve the availability of healthy choices while potentially speeding up inventory turnover at the store level.
The takeaway
Retailers are banking on the profitability of fresh food to maintain their competitive edge in a crowded market. Consumers can expect expanded grab-and-go and organic sections as chains continue to optimize their floor space for high-demand items.
Further reading
For more on evolving shopping trends, visit our Organic Food section.
Live Poll
Are local grocery stores doing enough to provide the fresh, healthy food options you want?
