Culinary & FoodserviceThursday, August 20, 2026
The U.S. prepared meals market is projected to reach approximately $42.76 billion by 2026, while the global market is expected to grow from $76 billion in 2025 to $81.40 billion by 2035.
Kroger opened a 6,500-square-foot open-kitchen deli concept in Edgewood, Kentucky, in September 2025, investing $25 million to blend quick-service restaurant elements with neighborhood deli offerings.
Morrison has launched Fillex, a national automated pharmacy infrastructure platform funded via the Morrison Value Add II SCSp vehicle, signaling a shift toward treating pharmacy automation as core healthcare logistics infrastructure.
Recent funding rounds in 2026 have directed capital toward physical retail operations, including robotics for food service and AI tools for small-business frontline management.
The cost of sensor arrays and computer vision for cashierless retail has decreased by approximately 40% since 2023, making the technology viable for mid-size operators while the industry focus shifts to achieving 98%+ uptime and maintenance service levels.
The global healthcare e-commerce market is projected to grow from $499.71 billion in 2025 to $587.05 billion in 2026, reaching $1.12 trillion by 2030.
