2025 Summer Marketing Trends
Two years ago, we talked about trending recipes and photos that could help your marketing catapult during the summer months and since then, a lot has changed. The dynamic between consumer and businesses has evolved significantly since 2023 and the great news is, attention to branding and marketing is at an all-time high.
Today we hope you’ll make note of the ways we recommend you take advantage of summer marketing trends for your brand and your bottom line! Here’s my advice on how to capitalize:
Address Evolving Shopping Habits
Economic factors, such as inflation, are influencing consumer spending, leading to more deliberate purchasing decisions and a preference for brands that offer both value and quality. As a result, shoppers reprioritized their spending, and price overtook quality and taste as the most important consideration when making decisions around food purchases. As an industry, we’re at an advantage over other products that offer less benefits, like nutrition or general goodness for the body, that we offer in spades. On top of it all, shoppers want flavor – so don’t be afraid to name your products’ attributes and promote them during the summer when fresh and lighter fare is on the table.
Target Younger Audiences
Marketing efforts are increasingly directed towards Gen Z and Millennials, emphasizing authenticity, sustainability, and social responsibility to align with the values of these demographics. As a fresh food marketer, you’re already at an advantage with these conscientious consumers seeking to do better for our planet and bodies. These younger generations are more likely to be on their phones while enjoying some relaxation and time with family and friends.
Consider Social Listening & Trendjacking
This isn’t the easiest path to success, but it is effective. Utilizing social listening tools (like Sprout Social or Hubspot), marketers can identify emerging trends and cultural moments to create timely and relevant content, enhancing engagement and brand relevance. With more leisure time and experiences in motion during the summer months, we’re likely to see many trends emerge. Will you be ready to move when they occur?
Try a Summer-Themed Promotion or Product Launch
When we think about seasonally themed products, we think about the end all be all as the Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice craze. We know this works for fall, but maybe it could work for summer – when produce is ample and sought after! While most fresh produce brands don’t have the budget of Starbucks, it doesn’t mean we don’t have the creative power. Consider a social media-based promotion, target consuming audience segments and raise awareness and sales for your products where they are available.
Content Experimentation
Rarely do I go out of the “branding” box, but this summer, consider breaking away from your normal branding and try new looks, new words and new imagery to see if it sticks with your target audiences. We all know sales will soar in Q4 just as we enjoy the back-to-school grocery buying rush and the holiday season presents itself. Be ready with fresh content that sticks to diverse audiences and let’s see if we can catch new brand advocates in the process.
Take heed! The summer months are almost here. If there is anything we can do to help you get started, please do not hesitate to contact us and let’s get this summer party started!
