In-Store Bakery Sales Rise to $22 Billion
New industry data highlights a surge in grocery store bakery demand across American households.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Baking
Live Poll
Do you prioritize in-store bakery items when shopping for your household's weekly meals?
Annual sales for in-store bakery items increased by 2.3% to reach $22.0 billion over the past year. Nearly 92% of U.S. households shopped at an in-store bakery during that same period.
Why it matters
The majority of shoppers now view an in-store bakery as a critical component of their primary grocery store experience. Consumer demand for health-conscious options and cultural variety is increasingly shaping retailer offerings.
Bread sales grew by 6.5% and muffin sales rose by 5.8% annually. Additionally, 75% of shoppers report that health and nutrition considerations now influence their bakery purchasing decisions.
The players
FMI
FMI is a trade association representing the food industry and headquartered in Arlington, Va.
The details
The report, which combined consumer survey findings with NielsenIQ sales and household panel data, shows that shoppers made an average of 24.9 bakery purchases annually. While 60% of consumers want a wider variety of cultural or ethnic bakery items, only 44% feel their current store meets that need.
Timeline
Consumer survey research was conducted from August 1-8, 2026.
The Power of In-Store Bakery 2026 report was released on October 27, 2026.
Culture Shift
This growth reflects a shift toward experiential grocery shopping where the in-store bakery functions as a destination rather than an afterthought. As consumer preferences pivot toward global flavors and health-conscious ingredients, retailers are recalibrating their store footprints to match these expectations.
Shoppers can expect a greater emphasis on fresh, health-focused, and culturally diverse baked goods during their regular grocery runs. Your local store may increasingly align its inventory with these wellness and diversity trends to satisfy consumer demand.
The takeaway
Retailers are increasingly looking toward health-focused and culturally diverse offerings to maintain high levels of shopper engagement. Consumers can utilize these evolving in-store options to find more variety and nutritional transparency in their daily food purchases.
Further reading
Find more insights on evolving consumer habits in the Baking section.
More information
To see the complete analysis, access the industry research report on the FMI portal.
Live Poll
Do you prioritize in-store bakery items when shopping for your household's weekly meals?
