Wednesday, October 4, 2023

Grocerants: Why This Business Model Is Winning Foodservice

 


Steven Johnson is the Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions® who has been researching, pontificating on the growth, profitability, consumer migration from legacy food retail models too the Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat fresh prepared food grocerant niche since 1991.  

The way consumers eat is changing. In the modern world, getting food is more convenient thanks to things like mobile ordering apps and meal delivery services such as Yumble. This makes it easier for those who do want to stay in to have a good meal without having to worry about cooking. (This is a Guest Blog post provided by Oliva Chang.)

But, according to a recent Nielsen study, Americans are choosing to dine out in greater numbers than ever before. This is one factor contributing to the increasing popularity of grocerants, which are essentially grocery stores offering both shopping and dining options.

This emerging business model offers several major benefits to consumers. Convenience is a major one. Although people are now more interested in dining out than they once were, they still need to buy groceries from time to time. Being able to do both in one location helps them save time. This is very helpful in an age where constant connectivity has resulted in busy lifestyles.


Additionally, statistics indicate traditional restaurant menu prices have been rising, while grocery prices have not. Grocery stores that allow shoppers to purchase items and dine right there in the store may therefore save consumers money.

The following trends help to further explain why and how the grocerant model has become popular in recent years:

Spending Habits

Unlike previous generations, the vast majority of millennials would rather spend money on experiences instead of products. The grocerant model simply caters to their preferences. This trend is likely to continue, given that studies confirm having experiences makes people happier than owning possessions.

Social Media

Social media has given the average consumer greater opportunities than ever to share their opinions on the food they eat. Going to a restaurant or your local grocery store and sharing a picture of a meal (along with a brief review) on Instagram allows anyone to indulge their inner food critic.


Social Awareness

A recent study indicates consumers now prefer to connect with brands that prioritize sustainability. On top of that, the number of farmers markets in the United States has risen substantially in recent years.

Consumers no longer feel satisfied heading to grocery stores to buy products without knowing anything about their origins, the manufacturing process, the supply chain, and various other factors that impact how sustainable a product may be. They’d rather dine at spots where they can learn about how their food reached their plate.

A traditional grocery store typically won’t offer this information, while a grocerant often can and will. It’s also worth noting that dining out can produce less waste than buying groceries, which often use up substantial resources for packaging.

On-Demand Services

It’s clear to see the ways in which on-demand food delivery apps have changed the way consumers eat. Instead of cooking their own meals, people want meals delivered straight to them. A grocerant can offer this service.

These are merely a few reasons people have begun embracing grocerants in record numbers. Traditional grocery stores should take notice. In order to stay competitive, they’ll have to shift their business models to meet changing consumer expectations.

If you would like to be a guest blogger, feel free to reach out to the team at www.FoodserviceSolutions.us or Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us

Invite Foodservice Solutions® to complete a Grocerant Program Assessment, Grocerant ScoreCard, or for product positioning or placement assistance, or call our Grocerant Guru®.  Since 1991 www.FoodserviceSolutions.us  of Tacoma, WA has been the global leader in the Grocerant niche. Contact: Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us or 253-759-7869



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