As the winter holiday season fades, the retail cheese department faces a new challenge: how to transition from limited-time festive offerings to year-round sales. After indulging in holiday-specific cheeses, consumers are now reevaluating their budgets, leading to fresh opportunities for cheese departments to capitalize on indulgence, comfort, and convenience.
Indulgence Beyond Celebrations
The concept of indulgence remains strong in consumer behavior, and it can take different forms. For many, indulgence is a celebration—whether it’s unwinding with a glass of wine and specialty cheese after a successful presentation or marking a major family achievement, such as a child’s college acceptance.
Retailers like Wegmans Food Markets, based in Rochester, N.Y., are capitalizing on this by incorporating various lifestyle elements—such as kitchenware, decorative items, and greeting cards—into their cheese displays. This creates a compelling narrative around small, personal celebrations, encouraging shoppers to make everyday moments special.
However, indulgence is not always tied to celebration. According to the 2025 Trends Report by Datassential, indulgence is also driven by a cultural shift toward “living for the now,” a reaction to global uncertainty. This mindset has led to an increase in weekly indulgence consumption, with 89% of consumers reporting they treat themselves to indulgent foods at least once a week—a sharp rise from 69% the previous year.
Comfort foods, such as cheese, play a central role in this shift. Retailers can pair cheeses with complementary products like fresh breads, teas, cocoa mixes, and bath accessories, offering a comforting experience that resonates with consumers seeking solace in uncertain times.
Premium cheeses, such as the gold medal winners from the 2024 World Cheese Awards, can also serve as symbols of indulgence. For example, Emmi Roth’s Gruyère cheeses, hand-crafted in Switzerland, offer complex flavors and textures that cater to consumers’ desire for high-end, artisanal treats. Similarly, Marin French Cheese Co.’s soft-ripened cheeses, like Petite Suprême and Golden Gate, promise rich, decadent flavors that enhance the indulgent experience.
Convenience in the Post-Holiday Season
After the holiday rush, many consumers shift their focus from entertaining large gatherings to enjoying more personal, convenient snacking. As a result, value-added cheeses that offer convenience and storage-friendly options are becoming increasingly popular.
One example is Président’s Rondelé line of spreadable cheeses, which recently expanded its packaging from 6.5 ounces to 8 ounces, providing consumers with 23% more product for the same price. The new resealable cups make it easy for families to enjoy the product over several uses without the hassle of extra packaging clutter.
As consumers move away from elaborate holiday spreads, convenience and practicality will be key drivers for cheese sales in the coming months. Retailers who embrace these trends will position themselves to meet the evolving needs of consumers, who continue to seek indulgence, comfort, and convenience in their food choices.
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