Food waste is a 43 billion pound problem in the US retail industry but most grocery shoppers don't know about it. When they learn how much food gets wasted, consumer priorities shift toward sustainability.

Grocery store customers expect fresh departments to have high-quality, fresh-looking food that doesn't go bad quickly.

2020 and 2021 required both customers and grocery store chains to adapt to constant changes. But it adjusted expectations, too. Customers eat more at home, want more fresh food, and shop differently - here's what to expect in 2021 and beyond.