To manage their food spending, U.S. consumers are finding ways to manage higher food costs by shopping at value retailers, spending less on non-food purchases, switching to store brands, and canceling committed expenses, like subscriptions, reports Circana.

Marketers of dairy foods and beverages need to understand the world view and the habits of the Millennial generation. For example, 40% shop once a week with a plan in mind and shopping list in hand; 26% are currently or would consider buying food from the online retailer Amazon. Many prefer to shop specialty stores like Trader Joe’s and health food stores like Whole Foods.

Saputo USA, Richfield, Wis., will start 2014 with three new consumer promotions for its Joan of Arc, King’s Choice and Lorraine brands of specialty cheeses. 

Consumer packaged goods companies winning in their categories are three times more likely to invest in growth channels and the Hispanic market, 50% more likely to use pricing optimization tools, five times more likely to view retailer collaboration as a strategic priority, and invest twice as much time in talent development.