Consumers’ online search behavior around potatoes is revealing new opportunities for retailers in-store, from cross-purchase and merchandising to meal solutions and at-home snacking. New analysis from Potatoes USA shows how sustained search interest in potato recipes, preparation ideas and entertaining formats is translating into clear opportunities retailers can activate now.
Potatoes are already America’s favorite vegetable, with shoppers purchasing more than 15.3 billion pounds annually, according to the organization. By examining where consumer interest about potatoes leads online, Potatoes USA identified several emerging search trends that point to how shoppers are planning meals, entertaining and preparing snacks at home, as well as how retailers can meet that demand.
Starbucks-Inspired Dish Creates Cross-Purchase Opportunities
Retailer insight: Google search data shows shoppers are looking to recreate an iconic Starbucks snack bite at home, creating opportunities for retailers to drive cross-purchase and inspire meal solutions.
According to Google Trends, searches for “Starbucks Potato Chive Bake recipe” are up 1,100% over the past two years, following the item’s introduction to Starbucks’ menu.
Retailers can lean into this interest with in-store recipe cards (see Potatoes USA’s version here), online click-to-cart bundles or cross-merchandising potatoes with complementary items such as eggs, cottage cheese, herbs and greens. The concept can also be adapted for prepared foods or grab-and-go sections with a house-made take on the popular dish.
Capitalizing on ChatGPT’s Preferred Chips Recipe
Retailer insight: Understanding how ChatGPT responds to common potato chip queries can help retailers anticipate the products and tools shoppers may seek when making chips at home.
ChatGPT has become a destination not only for recipe inspiration but also for conversational guidance around cooking techniques that shoppers may not find in a traditional recipe. According to SEMrush data, “how to make potato chips recipe” is among the most likely trending queries.
When prompted, ChatGPT’s most common response outlines a consistent preparation method: thinly sliced russet potatoes fried in vegetable oil in a deep pot or Dutch oven, seasoned kosher salt and aided with a deep-fry thermometer.
For retailers, ChatGPT’s preferred recipe flow reveals a clear opportunity to merchandise a complete chips-at-home solution. Pairing russet potatoes with cooking oil, kosher salt, peelers and thermometers — supported by shoppable recipes, click-to-cart bundles or in-store signage — can help retailers capture incremental sales, particularly around snack-forward moments like game day.
Baked Potato Bars Emerge as a Value-Forward Dining Occasion
Retailer insight: Growing search interest in baked potato bars presents retailers with a customizable, budget-friendly hosting solution that can be merchandised as a complete meal kit for gatherings and celebrations.
Google Trends also points to baked potato bars as an emerging trend, signaling shopper interest in meals that are affordable, easy to prepare, visually appealing and adaptable to different tastes and dietary preferences.
With spring holiday get-togethers approaching, retailers can take advantage of this growing interest by merchandising baked potato bar kits that bring together potatoes with toppings, proteins and sides into one cohesive in-store or online display.
“When shoppers purchase potatoes, they open the door to countless ways to prepare and enjoy them at home,” says Nick Bartelme, global retail development manager for Potatoes USA. “By examining where potato curiosity leads online, we identified clear opportunities for retailers to tap into that interest and, in some cases, turn one potato purchase into two.”
For additional data and insights into shoppers’ interest in potatoes, visit PotatoRetailer.com.
