Published • 8 Jul 2025
Last fall, we shared a snapshot of the top-selling products in PicoCooler Vision across the U.S., and operators took notice. With smart coolers continuing to outperform expectations in breakrooms, campuses, and micro markets, it’s clear that understanding what drives sales in this format isn’t just helpful. It’s essential.
Now, mid-2025, we’re back with the latest data.
This time, we’re not just sharing the new list — we’re comparing it to last year’s performance to uncover what’s shifting in consumer behavior and what’s holding steady. From product upgrades to wellness-minded changes, this update is packed with takeaways for how to stock, plan, and sell smarter with PicoCooler Vision.
Top 10 Selling Products – 2025 (Excluding Soda and Water)
- Premade sandwiches and wraps (new category consolidation – replaces last year’s separate wrap and sandwich SKUs)
- Premade overnight oats (▲ up 1 spot)
- Hardboiled eggs (▲ new to top 10)
- Yogurt parfaits (▲ up 3 spots)
- Uncrustables (▲ up 1 spot)
- Coconut water and sports drinks (▲ up 1 spot — formerly “sports drinks” alone)
- Chocolate chip cookies (▲ new to top 10)
- Bottled coffee – Pop & Bottle Vanilla Cold Brew Almond Latte (11oz) (▲ new to top 10)
- King Size Twix (▲ new to top 10)
- Premade lunch bowls (▲ new to top 10)
Then vs. Now: The Biggest Movers
A few shifts stand out immediately:
- More sandwich types, no one dominating type: Last fall, Chicken Caesar wraps had their hold on PicoCooler Visions customers, but since then, consumers have started exploring a wider range of premade sandwiches.
- Better breakfast, stronger dayparts: Overnight oats, hard-boiled eggs, and yogurt parfaits now make up three of the top four, pointing to increased morning usage. Customers may be relying more on their local micro markets and smart stores for their breakfast.
- Consumer indulgence holds: Chocolate chip cookies and King Size Twix might have arrived late, but they’re still key drivers of single-item snacking.
- Functional beverages break through: Sports drinks held a top-ten spot last fall, and now their natural counterpart—coconut water—has joined them. On top of that, bottled coffee has entered the top ten for the first time, signaling growing demand for energizing, functional beverages.
- Last fall’s gimmicks didn’t last: Upscale cheese and cracker kits, White Castle cheeseburger packs, Greek yogurt bars, and edible cookie dough all dropped off the list — a telling shift we’ll unpack further in the trend analysis below.
What These Trends Tell Us
The PicoCooler Vision ecosystem is built to adapt to consumer preferences, and these rankings reflect that flexibility in action. Here’s what the latest data reveals about what consumers want and how operators can respond:
1. Gimmicks Come and Go — But That Doesn’t Mean Ignore Them
As noted earlier, four of last fall’s top ten products didn’t make the cut this time. The knee-jerk reaction might be to stop stocking items that seem to lack staying power, but that misses the real takeaway.
Operators should stock trend-driven products. In fact, leaning into hot items with online buzz can drive quick wins, even if the product isn’t a long-term staple. The key is knowing when to act and when to pivot.
Take Pop & Bottle bottled coffee. While bottled coffee overall is trending upward, this particular brand has surged to the top. Will it stay there? Maybe not — but it’s clearly resonating now, and that presents a short-term revenue opportunity.
The smartest way to manage trend-based SKUs is to stay alert. Use tools like ADM and the 365 VMS to monitor sales performance in real-time, and be ready to rotate stock when momentum fades.
2. The Health–Indulgence Balance Is Narrowing
While the mid-2025 list highlights a strong lean toward health-forward options, it also includes two top sellers that are unmistakable comfort foods: chocolate chip cookies and king-sized Twix bars.
The key insight? Shoppers want both. Someone grabbing a protein-packed lunch may still reach for a treat, not despite their healthy choice, but because of it.
Operators don’t need to choose between wellness and indulgence. A high-performing PicoCooler Vision offers both: protein and sugar, energy and comfort, balance and flexibility.
3. Premium Beverages Are Worth It
It’s time to think beyond standard soda and water — and start prioritizing premium bottled options with higher margins. Pop & Bottle’s entry into the top 10 isn’t a fluke. Shoppers are increasingly recognizing—and are willing to pay for—drinks that offer better ingredients, functional benefits, or a clean-label appeal. Smart cooler operators can capitalize on this shift by testing emerging beverage brands that align with wellness and energy trends.
4. Versatility Sells
When comparing the Fall 2024 list to the updated mid-2025 ranking, one theme stands out: variety drives performance.
The strong showing of premade sandwiches and wraps highlights how diverse formats within a single category can cater to different preferences. But that’s only part of the story. The full list showcases a diverse range of products—from high-protein snacks to indulgent treats and functional beverages—each appealing to a distinct type of shopper.
Stocking a mix of fresh, quick-turn items alongside grab-and-go staples ensures that PicoCooler Vision meets the needs of multiple consumer types, not just one. That versatility helps maintain sales momentum across locations and between restocks.
The Bottom Line for Operators
The latest data confirms that PicoCooler Vision continues to perform across categories — from fresh food to better-for-you beverages to classic treats. But it also makes clear that the best results come from a thoughtful, responsive product mix.
Operators should consider:
- Stocking multiple dayparts: Think early morning fuel (oats, eggs), mid-day meals (wraps, bowls), and afternoon indulgence (candy, cookies).
- Adding better-for-you beverages: Functional coffee, coconut water, and wellness-oriented brands are increasingly viable.
- Monitoring new item performance: Strike while the iron is hot on gimmick items and use smarter tools to track performance.
Want help fine-tuning your PicoCooler Vision lineup? 365 Retail Markets has a suite of products that can give you actionable insights on your operations:
- 365 ADM: Make informed decisions with up-to-the-minute data
- 365 VMS: Monitor inventory levels, optimize your products, and plan routes - all at the click of a button.
- 365Ops App: Unlock some of the most in-demand back-office functionality in ADM from the palm of your hand