International fare and regionally produced ingredients are the hottest trends in deli department foods, according to “What’s in Store 2012,” the recently released annual trends publication of the International Dairy-Deli-Bakery Association (IDDBA). Eighty-two percent of consumers enjoy visiting supermarket delis that feature newer and trendier items, regardless of whether they regularly purchase these items. Delis…

There’s a reason why American Retail Services (ARS) of Oceanside, Calif.,  chose sandwiches as the centerpiece of the budding foodservice program it’s launching in its 100-store chain. Chicago-based market research firm Mintel International estimated in September 2010 that despite the challenges of the recent economy, sandwich shop sales grew 3.1% in 2010 to $24.3 billion.…

Deli shoppers include the quality-driven, convenience-driven and health-conscious consumer. The International Dairy-Deli-Bakery Association (IDDBA) has released a new deli benchmark study, Consumers in the Deli: Attitudes, Buying Behavior & Purchase Drivers. The new report updates the last study published in 2004 and determines the degree to which customers are changing eating behavior or tastes and…