 |
 |
|
|
|
January 2010
|
|
|
The Challenges Ahead
Phil Lempert, Editor in Chief, Facts, Figures & the Future
While there are clear signs of our economy recovering, and of the upswing in the mood of our shoppers, there is a looming challenge ahead. Food prices will increase.
The increases in dairy, cocoa and meats are already upon us, and the prognosis for crops including wheat, corn and soy is similar. As food prices increased at the beginning of the recession, most shoppers pointed to the price of oil, labor and the recession itself as the culprit. read more
|
Welcome to Koodies.net
We are proud to announce the launch of the Koodies Social Network, the place where Koodies, essentially kid foodies, can go to share recipes, post cooking shows, review new kid friendly products or kitchen gadgets, share nutrition and healthy eating tips, enter recipe contests, and even post photos of their favorite and delicious kitchen creations. The site is similar to other popular social networks, but stands out as a place where kids ages 2-16 and their parents can network and share their kitchen experiences and love for all things food; and even more importantly a place where the next generation can learn about food. read more
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Private label popularity: it's not universal
The year 2009 was fabulous for store brands. Heavy PL operators like Aldi and Trader Joe's were seen as savings saviors. Tesco emphasized its own products within the innovative Fresh & Easy convenience format, and Walmart and others followed. Safeway took sales of its O Organics line to more non-competing chains in many parts of the United States. Operators from Kroger on down converted shoppers from name-brand to store-brand buyers in many categories, as the need to save money drove trial, and retailers marketed to them with more appealing packages, formulas, names and prices. read more
|
|
|
|
|
|
2010 Food Trends Poll
Last month, we shared with you what we think will be the top food trends for 2010 - from brand credibility to new store formats. This month, our most recent SupermarketGuru.com Consumer Panel Survey reveals your predictions.
As is often true with fashion, our readers believe less is more. The majority (25%) selected shorter ingredient lists as the top trend to watch for 2010. That means we can expect to see products like Haagen-Dazs 5, Healthy Choice All Naturals and Campbell's Select Harvest looking to impress at check out this year. read more
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bacon bonanza at restaurants and retail
Recessions motivate restaurateurs to innovate with food, and this one is no exception. Feeders find new ways to present classic dishes with a dual purpose - to stimulate demand and trim costs. It's no surprise that lower-cost ingredients, particularly tasty ones like bacon, often make their way into this picture.
Mintel Menu Insights data compiled for BurgerBusiness.com show a 26.5% rise since 2005 in the number of menu items of all kinds that include bacon at all quick and full-service restaurants. read more
|
|
|
|
|
|
Could America's Poorest Be Smartest About Foods?|FDA Reportable Food Registry
TLRTV is a 5-minute videocast designed specifically for the B2B Food World with a focus on Marketing Analysis, Issues & Trends. In today's report...
Would you be surprised to learn that many of your shoppers who are eating the healthiest might be among the nation's poorest economically? Would that shatter some of your preconceived notions about who knows enough to eat wisely and acts on it?
In the wake of several serious food recalls last year the Food & Drug Administration launched a new electronic Reportable Food Registry on September 8 in an effort to trace potentially hazardous foods. read more
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aphrodisiac foods can elevate Valentine's Day
The mating game goes on year-round, and food stores play a significant yet unpublicized role. Men and women meet by the meat case, pick-ups happen in the produce aisle, shoppers scan other people's baskets for clues about whom they're feeding. Supermarkets even flirt with singles shopping nights.
The romance mainstays of supermarkets, however, are aphrodisiac foods—on display every day within their respective categories, though rarely labeled as 'foods for setting the mood.' They are in many parts of the store: honey, garlic, artichokes, champagne, chocolates, asparagus, almonds, avocados, bananas, berries, figs and wine are some of the best-known. read more
|
|
|
|
|
|
First pop-up stores, now rolling food courts
Food trucks are not a new idea. Think of the aroma of hot dogs, hot pretzels and honey roasted peanuts that is present on almost every corner in most major cities. But what is new is the quality- gourmet, the cuisine- ethnic or themed, and the markedly different target audience; one that seeks out fresh, local, authentic, often healthy, affordable gourmet food. The Gap and Toys R Us brought the concept of short term high visibility mini-retail locations mainstream; and with the amount of "for rent" signs in most shopping areas throughout the country, there is little doubt it's a trend that will continue. read more
|
|
|
|
|
|
Antioxidants, beyond the package hype
For all of the positive buzz about antioxidants, there are just three food and beverage segments in U.S. food stores (excluding supercenters) that exceed $100 million in annual dollar sales - and only two of them grew during the latest 52 weeks ended November 28, 2009.
Another 29 segments that bear antioxidant claims posted sales in excess of $10 million during this period, and just 20 of those were up, according to Nielsen measures of prepackaged, UPC-coded products only. read more
|
|
|
|
|
|
Could America's poorest be smartest about foods?
Have you ever 'sized up' other shoppers' carts and admired those who show nutritional disciplines - not a junk food blemish in their entire purchase? Have you been tempted to approach them and ask how they do it? Would you be surprised to learn that many of those shoppers might be among the nation's poorest economically? Would that shatter some of your preconceived notions about who knows enough to eat wisely and acts on it?
Well, we believe at SupermarketGuru.com that the poorest people in America could soon evolve into the healthiest people in America. read more
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Food, Nutrition & Science
We've just launched a brand new monthly newsletter: Food, Nutrition, & Science from The Lempert Report.
Our mission is to provide retailers and brands with the latest food news and the tools needed to better serve and empower our shoppers to make the best food choices possible. Each issue will contain interviews with leading researchers, nutritionists and trend setters. read more
|
|
|
|
|
Facts, Figures, & the Future Newsletter
Click here for your FREE subscription to Facts, Figures, & the Future.
|
|
|
|
|
|
