Albertsons Enters the Frozen Food Court with Private Label

 

Back in the day the term Home-meal Replacement was the undercurrent driving change and customer migration within retail food sector.  That evolved into to Grocerant niche with 82.1 percent of all restaurant meals today being sold for takeout or through the drive-thru. 

The consumer continues to migrate too branded meals and meal components within the grocerant niche filled with Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat food both fresh and fresh prepared and frozen, according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®.

In case you did not know, the new frozen mix and match meal solution line from Albertsons Cos. includes entrees, sides and vegetables that can cook in the oven concurrently.

The private label Signature Select Mix + Match line includes frozen entrees, sides and vegetables that feed a family of four, and cook together in one standard oven at 375 degrees for about 35 minutes, is now available in the frozen food aisle at 1,900 Albertsons Cos. stores, including Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, ACME and Shaw’s. 

“At Albertsons Cos., we are committed to delivering great quality with unparalleled value and convenience,” said Jennifer Saenz, EVP and chief merchandising officer. “Our new Signature SELECT Mix + Match line of frozen entrees, sides and veggies made from quality ingredients is the ultimate solution for busy families who need a simple, delicious dinner without time-consuming prep and clean up.”

Varieties in the Mix + Match line include:

·         Entrees: Chicken Parmesan, Chicken Meatloaf with Sweet & Spicy Glaze, Italian Meatballs with Marinara Sauce, Chicken Marsala with Mushrooms and Southern Style BBQ Pulled Pork

·         Sides: Homestyle Mac & Cheese, Parmesan Crusted Potato Medley, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Cornbread Casserole and Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta

·         Veggies: Honey Glazed Carrots, Green Bean Almondine, Sweet Corn Succotash, Broccoli with Cheese Sauce and Mashed Cauliflower with Chives

In an Omni-channel retail world the one thing that is perfectly clear, that is, restaurant consumers continue to migrate to non-traditional avenue of fresh food distribution. A restaurant brand can’t be contained within 4 walls today if you want it to thrive according to Johnson.  

Some legacy restaurant chains have entered the frozen food court each edifying their brand with consumers while building top of mind brand awareness. Consumers acceptance of these products remains solid as restaurant brands maintain, elevate, or create new product standards for product both from retail to restaurant or restaurant too retail. However, there are more options available today that many have over looked.

Channel blurring only exists in the blind eye of Neanderthal restaurant chain brand managers. Today restaurant brand managers must understand their brand and their customers. If they do, they can integrate marketing plans that complement their consumer’s food consumptions footprint while positioning the brand in multiple channels of distribution.  In many cases that means new products including fresh prepared food in new non-traditional avenues of distribution.

Don’t over reach. Are you ready for some fresh ideations? Do your food marketing ideations look more like yesterday than tomorrow? Interested in learning how Foodservice Solutions® 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 us on our social media sites by clicking the following links: Facebook,  LinkedIn, or Twitter