The grocerant niche, is a fusion of grocery store, restaurant,
and convenience fresh prepared food meal and meal components has been evolving
rapidly, driven by consumer demand for convenience, quality, and variety,
according to Steven Johnson
Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®.
Today consumers' lifestyles continue to evolve and change,
particularly post-pandemic, grocery stores are stepping up their game in the
grab-and-go segment to capture a larger share of the "stomach
market." Among the leaders in this movement are Cingari Family Markets and Saker
ShopRites, both of which have implemented innovative strategies to meet the
growing demand for ready-to-eat meals and meal components that can be bundled
into the perfect family meal.
Cingari Family Markets: Elevating
Grab-and-Go
Cingari Family Markets, operating under the ShopRite banner
in Connecticut, has made significant strides in the grab-and-go sector.
Spearheaded by Executive Chef David Cingari, a Culinary Institute of America
graduate with extensive experience in New York's culinary scene, the company
has developed a sophisticated grab-and-go program. This initiative not only
complements the bakery and deli offerings but also includes a wide range of
meals, entrées, and side dishes prepared in a central commissary.
The central commissary approach ensures consistency and
quality, two crucial factors in the success of grab-and-go programs. "If
customers like it, it had better be the same the next time. Then freshness is
critical, and it’s got to be restaurant quality," says Cingari. This
commitment to quality is evident in their upscale sandwich offerings, such as
those featuring prosciutto instead of standard ham, and their diverse menu
options catering to various dietary preferences, from vegan to gluten-free.
Cingari's grab-and-go program also addresses the trend of
multiple purchasing, which has gained momentum since the COVID-19 pandemic.
With families having less time to cook at home, there is an increased demand
for multiple ready-to-eat items that cater to different family members'
preferences. This approach not only satisfies diverse dietary needs but also
offers convenience for today's time-strapped consumers.
Saker ShopRites: Convenience Meets
Quality
Richard Saker, president and CEO of Saker ShopRites,
highlights how the pandemic accelerated changes in consumer behavior,
particularly regarding grab-and-go food. During the pandemic, consumers sought
to minimize their time in stores, leading to a rise in the acceptance of
pre-cut cold cuts and other ready-to-eat items. This shift was further fueled
by the rising cost of dining out and the convenience of grab-and-go options as
people returned to their workplaces.
Saker ShopRites has leveraged this shift by offering
high-quality, convenient meal solutions. For instance, their clamshell-packaged
eggplant parmesan entrées are designed to be easy to prepare and serve,
catering to the need for quick, nutritious meals. These offerings are produced
in the company's four commissaries, ensuring consistent quality and freshness.
Saker emphasizes the importance of involving culinary
professionals in developing grab-and-go programs. Quality assurance is
paramount, and Saker even welcomes inspectors to ensure that the standards are
maintained. This focus on quality extends to the merchandising of grab-and-go
items, which are strategically placed throughout the store to maximize
visibility and convenience for shoppers.
Brooklyn Harvest Market: Flexibility
and Innovation
Brooklyn Harvest Market, with stores in Brooklyn and
Queens, has adapted to changing demographics and consumer preferences by
incorporating flexibility into their grab-and-go offerings. Head of operations
and merchandising Dan Wodzenski notes that the pandemic spurred a greater
willingness among consumers to pick up fresh sliced and store-packaged cold
cuts, leading the store to replace traditional service deli counters with
grab-and-go sections.
The market has also tailored its offerings to the local
community's evolving needs. With a growing Latin customer base, Brooklyn
Harvest Market has introduced more Hispanic pastries, baked goods, and savory
items like Spanish rice and enchiladas. This responsiveness to consumer trends
and preferences is crucial for staying relevant in the competitive grocerant
niche.
Industry Insights and Future
Directions
The broader industry trends also support the growth of the
grab-and-go segment. Bill Heiler, senior manager of customer marketing at Rich Products, notes that shopper demand for
innovative grab-and-go items has surged, with a 50% increase in sales of
convenient bakery products like parfait cups and cake slices over the past five
years. Retailers are becoming more creative with merchandising, placing
single-serve items in strategic locations to drive impulse purchases and
increase sales.
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For grocery stores looking to capitalize on the grab-and-go
trend, the Grocerant Guru® offers three key recommendations:
1.
Focus on Quality and
Consistency: Ensure that all grab-and-go items
meet high standards of quality and consistency. This can be achieved through
central commissary production and rigorous quality control processes.
2.
Cater to Diverse
Dietary Preferences: Offer a wide range of options to
cater to various dietary needs, including vegan, gluten-free, and high-protein
diets. This inclusivity will attract a broader customer base.
3.
Enhance Convenience
and Visibility: Strategically place grab-and-go
items in multiple store locations, including near perishables and high-traffic
areas, to increase visibility and accessibility for shoppers.
By implementing these strategies, grocery stores can not
only meet the evolving demands of today's consumers but also secure a larger
share of the stomach in the competitive grocerant niche.
Foodservice Solutions® specializes in
outsourced business development. We can help you identify, quantify and qualify
additional food retail segment opportunities or a new menu product segment and
brand and menu integration strategy. Foodservice Solutions® of Tacoma WA is the global leader in the Grocerant niche
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