Last week, I was in the States for a few days.

“What are you Googling?” my husband asked, as I swiped my phone. “Where I can find the nearest Whole Foods,” I replied.

He threw his eyes to heaven but he wasn’t surprised. You see, whenever I go on a trip abroad it involves a good nose around a local supermarket. Usually, my husband is in tow, complaining that we should be exploring the sights as opposed to the fruit and veg aisle. That’s because he knows this isn’t just a quick dash.

Instead, I make my way down each aisle, surveying the stock, examining prices. For me, it tells a story of the country we’re visiting – what the locals eat for lunch, how much they are paying for a bottle of milk and a loaf of bread, how their food is displayed and packaged, and my favourite – especially in countries like Spain and France – the price of a bottle of wine.

Of all the supermarkets I have visited though, Whole Foods Market in America is my mecca – for reference, it’s high-end food shopping. “I’d never do my big weekly shop there; you’d want to have deep pockets for that. It’s more stock up for a special occasion or a treat myself lunch,” my friend who lives in Washington DC informs me.

Consumer experience

What really interests me is the consumer experience – and the influence that it and other American supermarkets have on our weekly food shops. In fact, I’ve been told that buyers and department heads in Irish supermarkets have taken research trips to supermarkets such as Whole Foods for inspiration and we see the evidence of that on our shelves.

Looking forward towards future shopping trends, I suspect reduced packaging is coming down the line. Many will be familiar with the displays of pick ‘n’ mix sweets where you get your little shovel and fill up your paper bag. If the offering at Whole Foods is anything to go by, expect to see this expanding across a plethora of food items

When I first visited Whole Foods 13 years ago, I was mesmerised by the experience, but last week it seemed a bit more familiar, albeit on a bigger scale. In-store bakeries, butchers and fishmongers are now pretty standard in most Irish supermarkets. But it’s the likes of cheesemongers, olive counters, sushi bars, pizza stations and DIY freshly squeezed orange juice that we are seeing more of here. Certainly, these aren’t standard in every local supermarket but they are in bigger stores and these types of offerings tend to expand over time.

Looking forward towards future shopping trends, I suspect reduced packaging is coming down the line. Many will be familiar with the displays of pick ‘n’ mix sweets where you get your little shovel and fill up your paper bag. If the offering at Whole Foods is anything to go by, expect to see this expanding across a plethora of food items.

Dried pasta, beans, legumes and rice are all displayed in large vats that you scoop into environmentally friendly compostable and recyclable containers. The same applies to nuts, oats and even crisps.

There are some Irish shops that offer this zero-waste, bulk- buying experience, such as The Good Neighbour in Dublin and I suspect it will become more mainstream. I’ve yet to see a make-your-own peanut butter stand in Ireland but I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s on the way.

Offering convenience will continue to play its part in the shopping experience. Many supermarkets have salad bars and delis but this is still where the Americans do it on another level. Rows and rows of hot and cold food counters cater to every taste. Indian curries, creamy mac ‘n’ cheese, marinara meatballs and cilantro lime rice encapsulate the term grab ‘n’ go.

On the cold counters, people on their lunchbreak filled cardboard containers with items such as lemon pesto orzo, spiced chickpeas, roasted peppers and eggplant, and Asian noodle salad.

I’m not sure if these cold counters could ever replace our nation’s lunchtime passion for the hot chicken fillet roll but they could certainly give it a healthier run for its money.