Forecasting Bakery Trends

Forecasting Bakery Trends

Ready to hear some good economic news? Bakery is one category showing improved sales this year. Supermarket in-store bakery sales reached $10.4 billion for the 52-weeks ended December, 2011, a 2.2% increase over the same period last year, according to the Perishables Group. The International Dairy-Deli-Bakery Association (IDDBA) recently released this data and other in-store [...]

NRF Appoints Davis SVP, Executive Director

NRF Appoints Davis SVP, Executive Director

“With her deep understanding of retail and consumer trends, her love of our industry and her strategic communications background, Ellen is the perfect candidate to re-imagine the possibilities for our Foundation,” says NRF CEO. The National Retail Federation announced today that Ellen Davis has been named senior vice president and executive director of the NRF [...]

Susser Holdings to Present at 2012 Consumer Conference

Susser Holdings to Present at 2012 Consumer Conference

The presentation will be available via Webcast on the Susser’s Website. Susser Holdings Corp. has announced that Sam Susser, president and CEO, will present at the Bank of America Merrill Lynch 2012 Consumer Conference on Wed., March 7, in New York City. The presentation, which will begin at 3:10 p.m. ET, will be available live [...]

Study Shows Website Visits Drive Brand Purchases

Study Shows Website Visits Drive Brand Purchases

CPG brand Website visitors spend 37% more on the brand and 53% more on product category in retail stores. A study from Accenture, comScore Inc. and dunnhumbyUSA, aimed at helping consumer packaged goods (CPG) marketers better understand the link between consumers’ usage of brand Websites and their in-store brand buying behavior, found that visitors to [...]

New Twist On Snacking

New Twist On Snacking

General Mills is giving convenience store retailers a new twist on growing fruit and candy section sales with new Nature Valley Fruit Twists. A convenience channel exclusive, Nature Valley Fruit Twists are available in cherry and strawberry, provide two servings of fruit in each package, and are also 100% natural and gluten-free. At 1.27 ounces, [...]

Consumer Report Shows Holiday Shopping Season Continues

Consumer Report Shows Holiday Shopping Season Continues

Some 47% of those hitting stores this week plan to redeem newly-received gift cards.   The 2011 holiday shopping season will seemingly extend at least another week, as four in 10 Americans plan on hitting the stores over the next few days, according to a new Consumer Reports poll. Of those who will be shopping [...]

SymphonyIRI Report Examines Shopping Mission Trends

SymphonyIRI Report Examines Shopping Mission Trends

Times & Trends report finds pantry stock-up and quick trips account for two-thirds of CPG trips and dollar sales.   It has long been a daunting task to stay in lock step with the shopper mindset. After all, mindsets are a moving target and can quickly change due to a variety of reasons, including purchase [...]

The Pantry Reports Q4 and Fiscal 2011 Results

The Pantry Reports Q4 and Fiscal 2011 Results

“Fiscal 2012 represents an important transitional period for the company, as we focus on a pricing strategy that is intended to improve merchandise sales growth and align our gasoline volume with industry trends,” says The Pantry’s Interim CEO. The Pantry Inc. has announced financial results for its fiscal fourth quarter and year ended Sept. 29, [...]

Global Brand Study Shows Simplicity is Key

Global Brand Study Shows Simplicity is Key

Grocers, along with other retailers, could gross $1.9 billion more in profits if they better simplified customers’ experiences, report shows. For two years running, quick-service restaurants and supermarket chains, including Publix, Subway, McDonald’s, Whole Foods Market and Pizza Hut, have been listed among the top 10 simplest brands by U.S. consumers, according to results from the [...]

Keeping the Menu Fresh

Keeping the Menu Fresh

Foodservice customers are becoming value-conscious, a reflection of current economic conditions. Consumers are now expecting better value in terms of price, service, consistency and food quality. By John Lofstock, Editor. Bringing consumers into convenience stores to buy food requires a great offering at a good price. But with all the competition for share of stomach, [...]

C-Store Foodservice Challenges QSRs

C-Store Foodservice Challenges QSRs

“Convenience stores are increasingly falling into the same consideration set as fast-food restaurants,” says Technomic director. As convenience stores continue offering busy consumers more options for meals and snacks, new research by Technomic finds consumers are taking advantage of the expanding foodservice options, many times at the expense of quick-service restaurants. Of consumers polled on [...]

Deloitte Survey Shows Shoppers Expecting Discounts

Deloitte Survey Shows Shoppers Expecting Discounts

Savvy consumers research brands and prices before heading into stores.  Excitement over unexpected in-store deals has diminished as discounted prices become an anticipated part of the consumer products shopping experience, according to the Deloitte/Harrison Group annual American Pantry Survey. For nearly one-third (30%) of consumers, at least seven of 10 items in their shopping cart [...]

PLMA Awards New Product Honors

PLMA Awards New Product Honors

PLMA’s Salute to Excellence winners showcased within Idea Supermarket at PLMA Chicago trade show. Nearly two dozen retail chains and wholesalers from across the country were selected as the winners of PLMA’s annual Salute to Excellence Awards. The year’s winning products were featured during PLMA’s 2011 Private Label Trade Show in Chicago with a special [...]

Grocery Store Appearances Matter to Shoppers

Grocery Store Appearances Matter to Shoppers

Despite the additional perks a store might offer, basics such as store cleanliness and eye-catching signage most impact customer impressions. For its new research, Innovation Trends, Attitudes and Opportunities, IDDBA commissioned Datassential to explore consumer attitudes and interest in various forms of innovation. A key insight from the report is that for today’s grocery shoppers, [...]

Developing an Effective Menu

Developing an Effective Menu

Foodservice operators must regularly develop new products and tweak old ones to pique consumer interest and attract repeat business. By Heather Henstock, Contributing Editor. Nice N Easy Grocery SHOPPES has long offered salads and sandwich melts. But the two menu lines didn’t reach their full potential until the convenience store chain hired three trained chefs [...]