Opinion: Aurelia Ziomek
Aurelia Ziomek, head of buying at Planet Organic, discusses five categories set to shape the health and wellness retail landscape in 2026, highlighting the few trends she believes will matter as we move through the new year.
Natural and organic retail is moving faster than ever, shaped by the latest research, social media and a more informed customer. You can ask AI to predict the next big thing (and sometimes I do, at my own risk), but the real work is deciding which trends truly align with our mission and values.
At Planet Organic, that means backing innovation that raises the bar, holding onto uncompromising ingredient standards and saying no more often than yes. It’s how our shelves stay inspiring and true to what we stand for. Here are the themes we see shaping the year ahead.
The pushback on UPFs and seed oils
There’s a growing awareness of what is – and isn’t – on an ingredient list. Products containing gums, carrageenan, emulsifiers, maltodextrin or sugar alcohols (even when marketed as ‘better for you’) are losing appeal when they feel overly engineered. Alongside these long lists of additives, seed oils are also falling out of favour, with shoppers turning instead to olive, avocado or coconut oils.
Does this mean we’ll stop selling organic cold-pressed, unrefined seed oils? Absolutely not. But it does mean asking sharper questions of the brands and making careful decisions about what feels right for our customers.
Protein, but better
Protein may be the industry’s biggest obsession, yet the conversation is shifting. The question is no longer just how much – it’s about quality and what’s optimal for different health goals. While the 0.8 g/kg per day recommendation is still used, it’s increasingly seen as the bare minimum.
Demand for high-quality protein is growing in double digits across multiple categories. Organic cottage cheese has surged in popularity, fuelled by protein pancakes going viral on TikTok. Beans and lentils are also having their moment as plant-based alternatives to ultra-processed fake meats. And when it comes to fresh food, eggs, sheep’s yoghurt, and Greek yoghurt are now staples in many of our customers’ baskets.
Innovation is also stretching into everyday staples – high-protein cereals, lentil pasta, protein crackers and more – making it easier to match protein intake to what’s personally needed at every meal.
“Alongside function, flavour is driving excitement, with pistachio and matcha exploding in popularity this year.”
Function meets flavour
Most of us aren’t getting enough fibre for gut health and steady energy, with the 30g daily target still out of reach. Brands are responding through formats that feel everyday and appealing: prebiotic sodas delivering up to 10g of fibre per serving, and functional drinks expanding far beyond kombucha to now include mushrooms, sea moss and other benefit-led ingredients.
Alongside function, flavour is driving excitement, with pistachio and matcha exploding in popularity this year. At Planet Organic, they’ve become real footfall drivers, from matcha drinks on our Food to Go menu to organic Dubai-style chocolate or honeyed pistachio dates in the snacking aisle and overnight matcha oats as a breakfast favourite.
The rise of optimal health supplementation
The one-size-fits-all multivitamin is moving aside for the supplement stack designed to support your specific health goals.
Magnesium has become a cornerstone, with shoppers seeking specific forms like bisglycinate for sleep or L-threonate for memory. Adaptogens are also maturing – ashwagandha for resilience, rhodiola for focus, lion’s mane for brain health. And some long-standing essentials are making a comeback, especially omega-3 for its role in neuro-nutrition, balancing dietary omega-6 and low-grade inflammation. Alongside these, polyphenol-rich foods such as berries, green tea and olive oil will continue to grow, linked to longevity and metabolic health.
Can you supplement your way to health? No. Our approach will always be whole foods first. But reaching optimal health today takes more intention than ever before. Stacks will only get more personalized from here, reflected even in our own menu where organic smoothies can be customized with creatine, extra protein, mushrooms, sea moss and other boosters.
Longevity and recovery
Longevity has shifted from an exclusive biohacking community into everyday wellness. Collagen, protein and bone broth are among the most searched terms on our website, alongside growing interest in compounds like resveratrol, NMN and CoQ10. The fastest growth this year has come from creatine and electrolytes, which are moving beyond the gym into daily use – and are here to stay.
What we’re seeing now is the beginning of a more holistic approach to healthy ageing, and this category is only just getting started.
Trends never stop coming, but only a few will still matter in 2026. The ones that do are the ones people truly connect with. And if you’re wondering which, you’ll probably spot it first on our shelves.
By Aurelia Ziomek, Planet Organic