Predictive analytics

Sara Senior, Sales Director at A F Blakemore and Sons Limited, says wholesalers will use AI to optimise inventory management.

What do you think will be the biggest emerging trends in wholesaling in 2026?

Key emerging trends for 2026 include digital and AI driven information, to utilise predictive analytics to optimise inventory management, pricing lead times and demand forecasting, supporting and enhancing client real-time inventory portals.

Integration with clients will be improved by providing a more ‘retail-style’ experience and enhanced ordering, flexible payment and transparent fulfilment.

What will be the key categories to watch out for?

In the UK wholesale food and retail sector, one key category to watch is ready meals / food-to-go and convenience formats. With UK households cooking more from scratch yet still needing quick solutions, fresh doughs, pastry, dips, and other “meal-hacking” ingredients have shown strong growth.

As consumers’ routines stay busy and lunchtime out-of-home snacks continue to evolve, wholesalers who can supply smaller pack sizes, single-serve or on-the-go formats to meet impulse and convenience missions will be well positioned given the growing health-conscious movement.

How can wholesalers best prepare for 2026?

Wholesalers who invest in real-time analytics and customer relationship management (CRM) tools can gain valuable insights into buying trends, streamline operations, and improve customer satisfaction. Strengthening cybersecurity and data protection will also be essential as more transactions and communications move online.

Additionally, wholesalers should diversify their supplier networks and prioritise sustainability to remain competitive in a changing market.

Do you think online shopping will increase over the next year?

In our retail business, where 75% of our stores now offer one or more of four Qcom home delivery options, we believe we need to be where the customer is, when they are. So this means being present both in-store and out-of-store, online.

With that in mind we added Deliveroo, Just Eat and latterly Uber Eats to our Snappy Shopper online offering this year and have seen a 115% growth in this channel YTD, with more expected to come.

Do consumers still love local shopping?

Consumers still love local shopping and it remains firmly amongst the top 3 drivers of store choice. When paired with a quick and easy shopping experience and the right blend of quality and price, it’s a key driver of loyalty and repeat visits.

Community based stores offering a strong range of locally produced goods resonate strongly with customers, who appreciate the contribution they make to their neighbourhoods. On average over 70% of sales in our convenience stores are made by customers who live within a 3 mile radius, therefore the love of shopping locally is set to continue.

Will wholesalers adopt more sustainable practices such as eco-friendly packaging, reducing transport emissions, and implementing recycling programmes?

Wholesalers are further reducing emissions through electric or alternative-fuel vehicles, optimised delivery routes, and energy-efficient warehousing. Growing consumer demand for transparency around food origins also encourages sourcing from traceable, ethical, and often local suppliers, ensuring proper certifications and supply chain visibility. Many are adopting recyclable, biodegradable, and reusable packaging to minimise waste and resource use, while expanding recycling and circular economy initiatives to reduce landfill waste and promote material reuse.

Will consumers stay in more and will there consequently be more products aimed at in-home consumption?

In the short term the ‘At Home’ food and drinks market is forecasted to hold on to the share gains it has made in recent years from the ‘Away From Home’ channel. Growth is forecasted across both channels in 2026 and there are opportunities within each, however consumers will choose to stay in more and ‘At Home’ spend will increase at a faster rate.

Consumers are looking to recreate their favourite dining experiences in their homes, known as ‘insperiences’.

Will healthy eating and wellness be even bigger trends in 2026?

There are signals that healthy eating and wellness in the UK are set to become even more prominent trends by 2026.

Recent consumer-data show that an increasing share of households are consciously shifting toward fresh, unprocessed foods: for example research shows that 44 % of UK consumers are actively trying to reduce processed food, while 36 % aim to eat five portions of fruits and vegetables each day. Spending on fresh and chilled foods has also risen significantly in 2025.

This combined with a cultural shift towards preventative health, mean that categories like functional foods, plant-based meals, wellness snacks and nutrition-focused grocery aisles will increase.