Why Grocerant Fresh Food Packaging Matters

The simple fact of the matter is consumers like to buy, select, mix, match grocerant niche fresh meal components into a perfect family meal and they want to do it in person.  However that does not mean that consumer prefer to shop at a grocery store over a restaurant, convenience store or a dollar store according to Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions® Grocerant Guru®, Steven Johnson.

Facts are important so here are some facts from s new survey by the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC). “The State of Grocery Shopping” found that 99 percent of adults buy some or all of their groceries in person.

Consumer want what they want and when they want it in fact according to survey consumers “seek immediate access to products (71 percent); prefer the ability to select fresh meat, dairy and produce (70 percent); and like to see product options and select all other items in person (69 percent).”

Tom McGee, president and CEO of ICSC stated that “Consumers are heavily invested in the types of food they purchase and they want to be able to select the best and the freshest to take home.” Regular readers of  this blog know that consumers desire for mix and match meal component bundling is the Key driver of customer migration too grocerant meal options and adoption.

When it comes to shopping behaviors, consumers on average shop at 5.4 different types of grocery retailers, with 93 percent of people patronizing discount department stores, like Walmart and Target, and 92 percent at traditional supermarkets for grocery purchases according to the ICSC however we know there are many more non-traditional fresh food outlets they visit as well.

Now this the ICSC study was looking at the grocery store sector and of the grocery store formats, traditional supermarkets have the most frequent visitors, with 55 percent making purchases at least once per week. Note: that the largest shares of infrequent shoppers buy occasionally (every few months) from small, specialty/gourmet food stores (76 percent) and high-end supermarkets (65 percent).

When it comes to buying meals and meal components at non-traditional outlets the team at Foodservice Solutions® has found that tier one consumers buy 4.6 times per week at their favorite non-traditional locations.  They are buying fresh, Ready-2-Eat or fresh Heat-N-Eat prepared food.  Why does packing matter?  Visualization will drive the path to purchase.

Are you ready for some fresh ideations? Do your food marketing tactics look more like yesterday that tomorrow?  Visit www.FoodserviceSolutions.us for more information or contact: Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us Remember success does leave clues and we just may the clue you need to propel your continued success.

Jack in the Box Customers Carving Technology

Integrating a brand message via technology is not new.  However creating a platform to drive a brand differentiation while simultaneously edifying consumer’s food specific crave ability is just what Jack in the Box is attempting to do according to Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions® Grocerant Guru®, Steven Johnson.  

When Jack in the Box Launched its new mobile game it was another innovative integrated advertising campaign that was both consumer interactive and participatory according to Johnson. The new game titled Crave Crasher, is a mobile-optimized, browser-based game that challenges players to “crash their cravings” using the brand’s infamous Crave Van.

Here is how Jack in the box describes the game “Crave Crasher puts users behind the wheel of the Jack in the Box Crave Van and tasks them with bringing one of Jack’s three new innovative Munchie Mash+Ups to a person who’s craving it. The twist? Users must avoid obstacles as they race toward the finish line, where a craving is waiting to be satisfied.” …

“Crave Crasher encourages players to navigate through the streets as fast as possible to complete their craving delivery. The game controls the speed while the player controls the steering. Times can be improved by taking tighter turns to avoid obstacles, and players are encouraged to share with friends to top their high scores. Those who beat the game have the opportunity to sign up for Jack in the Box deals and coupons.”

Iwona Alter, Chief Marketing Officer for Jack in the Box stated “ “Jack in the Box has a strong passion for delivering unexpected and welcomed experiences that allow our fans to engage directly with us,” .. “In addition to innovating our menu, we’re also focused on innovating the guest experience. With Crave Crasher, guests can crash cravings with a simple tap or click.”

Are you trapped doing what you have always done and doing it the same way?  Interested in learning how www.FoodserviceSolutions.us can edify your retail food brand while creating a platform for consumer convenient meal participation, differentiation and individualization?  Email us at: Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us or visit:  www.FoodserviceSolutions.us for more information.

Portable Mini Meals are Magic

Grocerant niche Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat fresh prepared food continues to drive top line growth and bottom line profits in every retail foodservice sector according to Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions® Grocerant Guru® Steven Johnson. One big reason is continued customer adoption of fresh prepared meal components that comprise most portal mini meals today.

Today consumers of 88% of Americans over the age of 18, in every region of the country, male, female and income group consume mini meals (snacks), meal components at least once a month according to Johnson.  Why to retailers it simply should not matter.  What should matter is consumer’s rapid adoption of fresh prepared food.  

According to Nielsen despite evolving eating preferences and tastes, American consumers still reach for sweet and salty snacking staples. Salty snacks, including chips, popcorn and meat snacks generated more than $27 billion in sales across Nielsen-measured U.S. retail stores for the year ended April 1, 2017. Sweets are close behind, with candy bringing in more than $20 billion, and cookies bringing in more than $7 billion.

The Harris Poll EquiTrend study released by Nielsen, U.S. consumers evaluated 275 snacking brands and identified their favorite items to reach for when they have snack cravings. The majority of consumers chose items from the candy/chocolate category, but there were some notable differences by region.

Consumers in the East and West ranked cheese, particularly Sargento Sliced Cheese in the East and Tillamook and Sargento Ultra-Thin Cheese in the West, in their top 15 snack items. Consumers in the Midwest also ranked non-sweet categories as their favorites, including Ritz Crackers and Wonderful Pistachios.

Mini meals will likely continue to drive top line sale and bottom line profits. While no one at Foodservice Solutions® was surprised that candy was a top snack.  What retails must understand is the rapid rise of fresh foods from nuts, cheese, meats (beef jerky), milk products.   

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 visit Facebook.com/Steven Johnson, Linkedin.com/in/grocerant/ or twitter.com/grocerant

New Cumberland Farms designed to rival fast-casual restaurants

When Westborough, Mass based Cumberland Farms opened its first "next generation" convenience store in Florida last month the team at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions® new that Cumberland Farms was elevating it’s foodservice once again. In fact our own Grocerant Guru®, Steven Johnson stated “Cumberland Farms Debuts 'Next-Generation' Stores offerings will look more like a fast-casual restaurant than a legacy convenience Store.”

This new prototype designed store will focus on new equipment and new food offerings, all designed to edify the customer convenience and offer an expanded menu that will challenge restaurants with both quality and price according to Johnson.

Cumberland Farms CEO Ari Haseotes  Stated "We are excited to introduce the future of Cumberland Farms to Titusville, FL …. "We currently operate 14 stores across Brevard County and have plans to expand in Florida over the next several years. We hope our self-service ordering terminals make us even more convenient and that customers enjoy our new food and beverage offerings." This new 5,000-square-foot location offers several new food and beverage menu items that Cumberland Farms had not previously offered.

The new items include beverages the ilk of smoothies, frozen espresso and milkshakes are available, along with specialty coffee drinks, including espresso, cappuccino and lattes. Food items the ilk of ciabatta sandwiches, macaroni and cheese, frittatas and melts. All of these items can be ordered quickly and easily on self-service ordering terminals.

The new will have a focus on technology that will be tested as well. This new store will continue to offer indoor community counters and outdoor patio seating as part of the updated architectural features. What is your company testing; New food, New Technology, New Beverages Need Help?

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

Alimentation Couche-Tard Foodservice Folly

Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. referred to as simply Couche-Tard is one of the largest company-owned convenience store operators in the world with more than 12,000 stores across Canada, the United States, Europe, Mexico, Japan, China, and Indonesia operating under a variety of bands yet finding growth and commonality with foodservice according to Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions® Grocerant Guru® Steven Johnson. 

For Couche-Tard CEO and President Brian Hannasch, leveraging foodservice integration as the platform for melding brands, garnering consumers, and driving top line growth is a solid strategy his implementation team is utilizing yesterday’s food tactics hoping for today’s results. The team at Foodservice Solutions® believes while it may be an inexpensive approach it might not yield the long term desired results. 

Hannasch’s goal for all of the brands under Couche-Tard umbrella is to become a top food destination globally, adding to its foodservice toolbox with every acquisition.  Ideally he would integrate grocerant niche Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat fresh food programs that are not focused on yesterday’s customers but today’s and tomorrows.  It seems as if his tactics resemble a patchwork quilt rather than a global brand strategy. Let’s take a look at some of Couche-Tard’s food toolbox tactics:

1.       One key area has been building up its dispensed beverages offer, especially coffee   Alimentation Couche-Tard continues to push to make Simply Great Coffee known to our customers throughout the network. Simply Great Coffee is now available in over 2,800 stores globally and continues to have noted success in Europe,"

2.       On the cold dispensed side, Couche-Tard has " moved quickly to roll out our core Circle K Polar Pop program" into the acquired CST Brands Inc. stores and, after just two months, more than 1,000 Corner Stores carry the Polar Pop brand.

3.        A made-on-site program similar to Couche-Tard's made-to-go program that is in roughly 117 locations between the two networks.

4.       CST's fresh in-store bakery in approximately 800 locations, which is similar to a bakery offering Couche-Tard launched in parts of the United States and Canada.

5.       The hot dog pilot in 27 locations, with the goal to make its stores a destination for that offering. The goal is to have 273 locations completed in the U.S. this year and another 85 completed in Canada.

6.       A high-end bakery program is now in 21 locations in Canada, primarily in the Quebec market. The goal is to have it in more than 300 Canada stores by the end of the year.

The team at Foodservice Solutions® is wondering when Couche-Tard's network comprised of 9,471 convenience stores throughout North America, including 8,129 stores with gas, consists of 18 business units, including 14 in the United States covering 42 states and four in Canada covering all 10 provinces can you build a unified brand using tactics rather than strategy?

Does your customer focused foodservice look more like yesterday than tomorrow?  Interested in learning how www.FoodserviceSolutions.us can edify your retail food brand while creating a platform for consumer convenient meal participation, differentiation and individualization?  Email us at: Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us or visit:  www.FoodserviceSolutions.us for more information. 

It the season for a ‘Better for You’ beverage Smoothie King

Foodservice Solutions® grocerant niche leadership defined the ‘better for you’ fresh prepared food space back in the day.  Companies the ilk of Smoothie King run with it and today they have over 900 units.  Smoothie Kings ‘Healthy Rewards’ loyalty program edifies the brand with customer focused relevance according to our own Grocerant Guru®, Steven Johnson. 

Recently Smoothie King re-introduced a fall favorite ‘Immune Builder Pumpkin Spice’ smoothie.  This quintessential fall flavor is back and with this new Immune Builder Pumpkin Spice will join the menu alongside Immune Builder Orange and Immune Builder Mixed Berry. The Immune Builder Smoothies are blended to help guests support their immune systems as fall approaches and the new school year begins and that is ‘better for you’ according to customers.  

Mitchell Grittman, Food Scientist for Smoothie King  stated “The Immune Builder smoothies are chock-full of vitamin C, giving guests a tasty way to help support their immune systems,” … “The Pumpkin Spice flavor was a perfect fit and our use of organic pumpkin sets this smoothie apart from other pumpkin flavored drinks on the market.”

Grittman continued “The Immune Builder Pumpkin Spice Smoothie is rich in iron and calcium, blended with organic pumpkin, carrots and super grains, includes Herbal Immune enhancer, and contains more than 300 percent of your daily vitamin C. Smoothie King’s better-for-you pumpkin blend has 370 calories, 14 grams of protein, 10 grams of fiber and only 9 grams of added sugar per 20-ounce cup. The Immune Builder Smoothies are featured in the “Wellness” blend category on the Smoothie King menu, with each flavor fulfilling your daily vitamin C per 20-ounce cup.”

Remember  that Smoothie King blends all of its smoothies with a specific purpose in mind. Whether your goal is to slim down, firm up, stay well, replace a meal, or just take a break, Smoothie King has a smoothie that can help fulfill everyone’s purpose as part of a sensible diet and regular exercise routine. Is your company looking for ways to edify your brand with the halo of ‘better for you’?

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

Domino’s Dominates Delivery

Leaders lead there is no doubt in the minds-eye of anyone at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions® that when it comes to technology, delivery, and customer relevance that Domino’s leadership is undeniable in fact our own Grocerant Guru®, Steven Johnson who believes that Domino’s branded delivery has taken a dominate position in the minds-eye of the consumer.

Most regular readers of this blog have seen, experienced, Domino’s fist chain wide delivery vehicle. That car has become a point of qualitative differentiation for Domino’s according to Johnson that simultaneously drove a marketing message that Domino’s was ‘Looking A Customer Ahead’.

Now that Ford motors and Domino’s Pizza are teaming up to test self-driving pizza delivery cars in Michigan, as part of an effort to better understand how customers respond to and interact with autonomous vehicles we can envision another spike up in customer relevance for Domino’s.

Soon randomly selected Domino’s customers in Ann Arbor, Michigan will have the option to accept pizza deliveries from a Ford Fusion Hybrid autonomous research vehicle. But the car won’t be driving itself. Each car will be driven by a Ford safety engineer, with other researchers onboard, who will zero in on the last 50 feet of the customer experience.

Sherif Marakby, Vice President of Ford Autonomous Vehicles and Electrification, described the project as ethnographic research stating that “We don’t want to wait until we get everything done on the tech and remove the driver. We’re trying to start doing the research. We still are working on the technology, because it’s not ready to be put on public streets,” he said. “It’s simulating that the vehicle is in autonomous mode.”

Russell Weiner, president of Domino’s USA, said in a statement. “The majority of our questions are about the last 50 feet of the delivery experience.”… “We’re interested to learn what people think about this type of delivery.  Areas of focus include how willing are people to come outside to pick up their orders, the way they approach the car, and how they interact with the screen outside of the vehicle to get the food.

Is your company ‘Looking A Customer Ahead’?  Are you trapped doing what you have always done and doing it the same way?  Interested in learning how www.FoodserviceSolutions.us can edify your retail food brand while creating a platform for consumer convenient meal participation, differentiation and individualization?  Email us at: Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us or visit:  www.FoodserviceSolutions.us for more information.