Areas across the country are gradually easing their lockdown precautions, and vaccines are becoming more readily available — just in time for summer grilling season. After more than a year of social distancing, expect customers to find any reason to come together for a backyard BBQ between now and September, whether for grill-centric holidays (Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day), or any weekend with sunny weather. While this summer will hopefully feel more like a pre-2020 summer, we still have plenty of unknowns to contend with. To help retailers navigate the uncertain future, SPINS looked at trends that arose over the last year around summer menus.

BBQ Staples Are on the Rise

When the pandemic began and pantry loading was at its peak, shoppers grabbed as much shelf-stable food, such as pasta and beans, as possible. But over time, they gradually integrated fresher options back into their shopping trips. During the last year of pandemic shopping:

• Refrigerated plant-based meat alternatives rose 48.6%
• Frozen plant-based meat alternatives grew 21.5%
• Frozen and refrigerated meat, poultry and seafood grew a combined 18.1%

While proteins hot off the grill are great, no summer gathering is complete without the sweets and snacks. Over the last year:

• Frozen desserts grew 17.9%
• Shelf-stable chips and snacks grew 10.9%

In other words, the go-to BBQ favorites are already landing in carts more than they were in the early days of the pandemic, and now that most shoppers will be heading to or hosting summer gatherings, these party staples are going to remain popular.

Healthy Innovation Is Driving Growth

Innovation is going to remain a strong driver for shoppers as we head into grilling season, and brands are introducing new products after spending the last year more focused on keeping shelves stocked with tried-and-true performers. Look no further than plant-based meat alternatives, where the dollars spent are not equal to the much larger animal-based meats and seafood, but the growth is stronger. Diets, lifestyle trends and environmental concerns are all pushing customers to try new plant-based items, whether or not they follow vegetarian or vegan diets.

Don’t Forget the Drinks

Record-setting sales of alcoholic beverages and alcohol-free alternatives continue to grow in 2021. Popping open a nice cold alcoholic drink is usually associated with beer, but it’s not the only offering on shelves. Cider and seltzer are gaining attention from customers who are looking for a convenient drink but aren’t in the mood for (or maybe are even allergic to) beer. Sales for single-serving drinks that aren’t beer are up across all channels.

• For example, hard cider, mead and other malt beverages grew 49% in the Natural Enhanced Channel.
• Additionally, ready-to-drink cocktails once had a reputation for being inferior substitutes, but brands have stepped up their offering in recent years. For shoppers who aren’t keen on wine, beer or hard seltzers, there are now a variety of new flavors to choose from: gin and lemonade, rum and cola, Mai Tais and more.

What Retailers Should Expect

The summer will still likely be a transition period, as people ease back into some old habits and discover new ones.

• New shopping habits will emerge gradually rather than overnight.
• Eventually, meat, seafood and alcohol sales will soften as shoppers choose to return to bars and restaurants and eat more meals away from home. That will depend on regional pandemic restrictions.
• Many shoppers will still avoid indoor spots and enjoy as many outdoor grilling days with friends as possible

No matter what, make sure your stores are fully stocked with grilling staples, as well as great-tasting drink options, so customers can enjoy a fun, relaxing summer once again.