At a time when it's never been easier to reach a specific shopper, it's striking how rarely ad tactics account for how and when that shopper is reached. Behavioral data risks becoming a checkbox, and the harder questions around mindset and receptivity often go unaddressed.

When Chicory fielded its 2026 Holiday Survey of 800+ U.S. consumers, the data was clear: For CPG brands, the 2026 holiday season starts earlier, spans more occasions, and ends later than last year. From micro-events becoming mainstream to GLP-1 medications altering the holiday menu, the 2026 holiday season reflects a consumer under economic pressure, but still ready to celebrate.

The holiday season has always been a critical window for CPG brands — but new data suggests the opportunity is bigger, and more fragmented, than ever. Chicory's 2026 Holiday Consumer Survey of 800 U.S. adults found that nearly three-quarters of shoppers are planning to attend or host a micro-event this season, from Friendsgiving to New Year's Eve.

GLP-1 is reshaping the household grocery cart. According to Chicory's 2026 GLP-1 Survey of 1,000+ U.S. consumers, 91% of GLP-1 users have changed what they buy because of the medication, and for 57% of them, that shift extends to the entire household. Brands that show up in the planning moment win the household, not just the user.

Back to school is one of the most underestimated behavioral resets of the year. When routines snap back, so does the grocery list. According to Chicory's 2026 Fall Survey of 1,000+ U.S. consumers, 72% of parents and caregivers say they are more likely to try a new brand during back-to-school shopping. The brands that win are already present when that planning starts.

The say-do gap on food ingredients is closing. Chicory's latest survey shows 66% of consumers say ingredient scrutiny has changed what they actually buy, with the strongest impact in packaged snacks, cereals, candy, and beverages. Our latest blog explores how brands can reach shoppers during the planning window, when values and purchase intent align — before habit takes over at the shelf.

After a particularly harsh winter, this year’s spring will start with a shift in mindset. We surveyed 500+ consumers, and the data is clear: 64% are more eager than usual for spring to arrive, and that eagerness is driving real spending intent across the full store.

This year, spring isn’t just about cleaning. In the aftermath of a particularly harsh winter, consumers are actively looking to refresh their home, restock their kitchen, and reset for the season. Our latest blog explores how cleaning brands in particular can win the spring reset, and how critical it is for them to show up in the moments that matter.

In 2025, we wanted to make one thing clear: scale only matters when it reaches consumers in active mindsets and in the right moments. This blog explores our growth this year, and where that growth occurred.

It’s clear: offsite retail media has exploded. Brands can expand their scale like never before. More doesn’t always translate to better, though. This blog explores why reaching shoppers anywhere is not the same as reaching them in an active mindset and at the right moment.

Today’s campaigns require a new level of sophistication: audience layering, multi-format creatives, omnichannel execution, real-time optimization, and full-funnel reporting. Simply put, they demand far more time and expertise than most internal teams think. Our latest blog dives into why Chicory’s managed approach delivers a level of value that self-service tools or standard programmatic platforms simply cannot adopt.

The retail media landscape continues to mature, and RMNs are looking to expand offsite. The question is: how do they do it effectively? Our new blog explores how Chicory’s contextual commerce media ensures that offsite expansion doesn’t come at the expense of performance or trust.