Curating Relevance: The Grocerant Guru’s Legacy of Insights Since 1991

 

In 1991, when the food retail and restaurant industries were struggling to adapt to shifting lifestyles, one voice began cutting through the noise: Steven Johnson the Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®. Long before “grocerant” entered the industry lexicon, the Guru was already shaping its meaning—defining the fusion of grocery and restaurant solutions that would soon transform the way consumers eat.

For more than three decades, the Grocerant Guru® has interpreted what consumers truly hunger for: not just food, but convenience, quality, and an experience that fits seamlessly into their daily lives. With a sharp eye for actionable insights, the Guru has guided executives, entrepreneurs, and food innovators to strategies that resonate with both shoppers and diners—strategies that consistently drive results.

 

The 1990s: Defining the Grocerant

In the early ’90s, supermarkets and restaurants existed in separate silos. The Grocerant Guru® saw what few others noticed: consumers wanted ready-to-eat and ready-to-heat meals that combined the convenience of grocery with the taste and quality of restaurants. By coining and defining the term grocerant, the Guru gave food professionals a framework to seize this opportunity.

Insight: The future of food was never about retail versus restaurant—it was about convergence. Winners would be those who embraced the blend.

 

The 2000s: Staying Relevant in an Era of Expansion

As fast-casual dining surged and grocery stores poured resources into prepared foods, the Guru offered a crucial reminder: relevance drives growth. Chasing every new food fad without understanding lifestyle shifts wasted resources. Consumers didn’t just want products; they wanted solutions—whether saving time, offering healthier convenience, or creating flexible meal options.

Insight: Growth follows relevance. Solve real problems and consumers will reward you with loyalty.

 

The 2010s: Digital Disruption Meets Food Culture

Mobile ordering, online delivery, and digital platforms redefined how consumers engaged with food. The Grocerant Guru® emphasized that innovation wasn’t about adopting every shiny new tool—it was about contextual innovation. Technology had to enhance the emotional and cultural connection people share with food, not replace it.

Insight: Digital succeeds when it extends human connection and enriches the food experience.

 

The 2020s: Resilience, Relevance, and Results

The pandemic accelerated every trend the Grocerant Guru® had long championed: convenience, portability, personalization, and flexibility. Dining shifted to the home, and multi-channel strategies—from curbside pickup to meal kits—became essential. More than ever, the Guru stressed that agility and consumer empathy determine which brands rise as leaders.

Insight: In times of uncertainty, those who pivot fastest to meet consumer needs secure the future.

 

Why the Grocerant Guru’s Perspective Endures

Since 1991, the Grocerant Guru has been more than a forecaster of trends—a curator of relevance. Their insights endure because they consistently remind food professionals of core truths:

·       Consumers are dynamic—success comes from evolving with them.

·       Convenience only works when it’s paired with uncompromised quality.

·       Every detail matters—packaging, plating, and digital touchpoints all shape brand perception.

·       Consumers don’t just buy food—they buy solutions that reduce friction in daily life.

 

Looking Forward

Today’s food landscape is more fragmented than ever. Traditional retailers, restaurants, delivery platforms, meal-kit companies, and direct-to-consumer brands all compete for share of stomach. Yet the Grocerant Guru’s message still resonates: brands that curate relevant, consumer-centric strategies will win.

Just as in 1991, the Grocerant Guru® continues to serve as a compass for leaders hungry for insights that not only inform but deliver measurable results.

Think About This: For over three decades, the Grocerant Guru® has not just observed change but shaped it. Their insights have become benchmarks of success—guiding the industry toward a future where relevance is curated, not chased.

 

The Grocerant Guru’s Top 10 Lessons (1991–2025)

1.       Convergence Wins – Consumers don’t live in silos; neither should food.

2.       Relevance Drives Revenue – Solve today’s problems, not yesterday’s trends.

3.       Convenience is Currency – Every minute saved builds loyalty.

4.       Quality Cannot Be Compromised – Taste and freshness are non-negotiable.

5.       Experiences Matter – Every touchpoint—from packaging to plating—tells your brand story.

6.       Digital Should Enhance, Not Replace – Technology must strengthen human connection.

7.       Consumers Crave Solutions, Not Just Products – Position offerings as mealtime problem-solvers.

8.       Agility Beats Size – Nimble brands win in uncertain times.

9.       Packaging is Marketing – The first bite begins with the eye.

10.   Stay Consumer-Centric, Always – Enduring success means evolving with consumers, not forcing them to adapt to you.

Are you ready for some fresh ideations? Do your food marketing ideas look more like yesterday than tomorrow? Interested in learning how our Grocerant Guru® 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 one of the following links: Facebook,  LinkedIn, or Twitter

September on the Menu: What Food Sales Teach Us About Growth in 2025

 

September has always been more than just another month in the food industry. It’s a reset button. Back-to-school signals new routines according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®  Labor Day closes summer’s entertaining season, football kicks off tailgates, and fall flavors return. Across the supply chain — convenience stores, grocery retailers, and restaurants — sales patterns in September have historically revealed what’s ahead for the rest of the year.

But 2025 isn’t just another September. Price sensitivity, the ongoing “grocery price war,” and rising consumer demand for convenience are converging in new ways. Let’s dig into what history tells us, what operators should expect this year, and how forward-looking strategies — especially those grounded in the Grocerant Guru’s insights — can unlock growth.

 

A Historical Snapshot: September Food Sales

·       Convenience spikes: According to NACS, September traditionally delivers one of the year’s top lifts in coffee and breakfast sandwich sales as commuters settle back into routines. Energy drinks and salty snacks also show measurable week-over-week growth in September, particularly around college football weekends.

·       Grocery reset: Supermarket data shows a seasonal bump in grocery sales during September — in 2023, Nielsen reported a +4.2% sales lift month-over-month, driven by meal solutions, snack packs, and private-label prepared foods.

·       Restaurant stabilization: After a volatile summer, September tends to normalize restaurant traffic. Historically, weekday dinner sales pick up while lunch traffic levels off as workers return to offices. Black Box Intelligence data shows September sales often set the tone for Q4 comps.

·       Price environment: USDA’s 2025 Food Price Outlook forecasts a +2.2% increase for food-at-home versus +4.0% for food-away-from-home. This widening spread puts pressure on restaurants while giving grocers an opening to position grocerant-style meal solutions as the “value alternative.”

 

What Each Channel Should Expect (Historical Patterns)

Convenience Stores

1.       Higher weekday morning and afternoon traffic.

2.       Growth in single-serve and grab-and-go items.

3.       Tailgate-driven spikes in beer, snacks, and wings.

4.       Trading down to value-priced items as price sensitivity increases.

Grocery Stores

1.       Shoppers pivot toward heat-and-eat meal solutions.

2.       Fall seasonal merchandising drives trial and excitement.

3.       Promotions intensify under the grocery price war.

4.       Volatility in fresh produce and proteins affects basket composition.

Restaurants

1.       Weeknight dinner covers normalize after summer.

2.       Seasonal menus (pumpkin, apple, comfort foods) spark trial.

3.       Catering and small-group business grows with sports and work events.

4.       Margin pressure continues as food-away-from-home inflation outpaces food-at-home.

 

What to Expect This Year

Convenience Stores:

·       Expect stronger loyalty engagement with coffee + breakfast sandwich bundles.

·       Weekend tailgate bundles (snack + beer multipacks) drive basket growth.

Grocery Stores:

·       Private-label meal solutions outperform — expect double-digit share gains in ready-to-heat dinners.

·       Value-priced weeknight meal bundles (protein + side + veg) resonate with cost-conscious families.

Restaurants:

·       Family takeout packs gain traction as households juggle school schedules.

·       Seasonal LTOs succeed if priced with a clear value ladder (entry-level, core, and premium options).

 

Forward-Looking Growth Strategies from the Grocerant Guru®

Convenience Stores

1.       Micro-meal dayparting: Bundle SKUs into targeted meal solutions (coffee + bar in AM, sandwich + snack in PM) and promote via loyalty apps.

2.       Private-label innovation: Launch single-serve fresh-prepared SKUs under store brands to compete with QSRs on both price and convenience.

Grocery Stores

1.       Grocerant bays: Dedicate flexible floor space to modular “grocerant stations” offering prepared meals that rotate by daypart or seasonal demand.

2.       Health-forward private label: Expand better-for-you prepared lines — high-protein, low-sugar, GLP-1-friendly — marketed as premium convenience at value pricing.

Restaurants

1.       At-home extensions: Turn bestsellers into heat-and-eat retail products or direct-delivered meal kits, extending brand reach into grocery aisles.

2.       Dynamic value ladders: Design menu bundles across three tiers (economy, core, premium) to address both inflation-sensitive diners and indulgent splurges.

 

The Undercurrent: The Price War

The grocery price war is not a short skirmish — it’s the competitive baseline. Walmart, Kroger, Aldi, Costco, and discounters are doubling down on private-label innovation and aggressive EDLP strategies. Restaurants, grocers, and c-stores alike must prepare for sustained margin pressure.

The winners in 2025 will be those who:

·       Own their private label and fresh-prepared mix.

·       Use loyalty and personalization to target promotions precisely.

·       Innovate around time scarcity — the new currency of food retail.

 

Think About this

September is no longer just the “back-to-school” sales lift. It’s the annual proving ground where food operators test whether they can compete on value, convenience, and experience in the face of rising price competition.

Convenience stores, grocery retailers, and restaurants that embrace grocerant-style innovation, sharpen their private-label mix, and rethink pricing ladders will not only win September — they’ll set themselves up for sustainable growth in 2025 and beyond.

Elevate Your Brand with Expert Insights

For corporate presentations, regional chain strategies, educational forums, or keynote speaking, Steven Johnson, the Grocerant Guru®, delivers actionable insights that fuel success.

With deep experience in restaurant operations, brand positioning, and strategic consulting, Steven provides valuable takeaways that inspire and drive results.

💡 Visit GrocerantGuru.com or FoodserviceSolutions.US
📞 Call 1-253-759-7869

Marks & Spencer’s Food Revolution: Four Smart Moves and a Grocerant Guru® Forecast

 

Marks & Spencer (M&S) isn’t just selling groceries—it’s rewriting the rules of food retail. In an era where food is as much about wellness, convenience, and social media buzz as it is about price, M&S has become a category innovator. From larger experiential food halls to gut-friendly drinks and hyper-personalized loyalty, M&S is driving growth where others see stagnation according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®.

But how does M&S measure up against global leaders like Kroger, Trader Joe’s, Carrefour, or Aldi? Let’s dig in—with overlooked data points, cross-market comparisons, and Grocerant Guru® wisdom.

 

1. Food Hall Expansion & “Remarksable Value” Strategy

Between 2020 and 2025, M&S grew its food hall footprint from 324 to 388, with a target of 420 by 2028. These 14,000 sq ft food halls are double the UK average supermarket size (7,000 sq ft), creating space for grocerant dining and experiential retail.

Overlooked Metric: Studies show every 7 minutes of extra dwell time increases basket size by 18%. Food hall design isn’t about bigger—it’s about stickier.

Their “Remarksable Value” range blends affordability with quality: British beef burgers under £3, sourdough loaves rivaling artisan bakeries. Sales of value-led lines surged in double digits.

Global Comparison:

·       Kroger (U.S.): Invested $1.2B in food hall–style stores with wine bars and prepared meals, but M&S’s smaller footprint achieves similar dwell-time impact without the mega-center sprawl.

·       Carrefour (France): Expanding “Carrefour Market” with hybrid fresh/ready-to-eat zones, but lags M&S on premium-value perception.

·       Aldi (Global): Dominates price. M&S carves “upscale value”—a hybrid positioning Aldi doesn’t play in.

 

2. Sparks Loyalty Program: Lighting Up Personalization

With 20 million Sparks members, M&S is building one of the UK’s richest food datasets. Campaigns like “Baby Club” proved its segmentation power, drawing 100,000 sign-ups in two weeks.

Overlooked Metric: M&S boosted email click-through by 8% via behind-the-scenes tech (Sender Certification). Small operational wins at scale = millions in revenue.

Global Comparison:

·       Kroger’s 84.51° data arm monetizes shopper insights for CPG brands, generating hundreds of millions in annual revenue. M&S could replicate this with Sparks data.

·       Trader Joe’s has no loyalty program—relying instead on cult-like brand love. M&S has both data and emotional branding, a rare combo.

·       Carrefour leverages AI to predictively stock items at the local level. Sparks could go further by recommending personalized meal kits, health bundles, or mood-based foods.

Grocerant Guru® Take: Loyalty in 2025 isn’t about points—it’s about predictive personalization. M&S is closing the gap with U.S. data leaders.

 

3. Health-Forward Innovation: Eat Well, ZOE & Functional Foods

By early 2025, 50% of M&S food sales carried the “Eat Well” label, with a target of 70% by year-end. Its ZOE collaboration fast-tracked gut health products like the probiotic “Gut Shot,” now a category leader.

Market Context: Functional foods are growing at 8.5% CAGR, hitting $260B globally by 2030.

Global Comparison:

·       Whole Foods (U.S.): Strong on wellness but lacks exclusive science-backed collabs like ZOE.

·       Sprouts (U.S.): Leans into functional snacks, but with less brand credibility.

·       Aeon (Japan): Pioneering functional labeling tied to government health goals—M&S could learn from this regulatory alignment.

·       Carrefour is dabbling in “healthy baskets,” but none match M&S’s Kew-verified mushroom drinks—proof of next-level scientific partnerships.

Grocerant Guru® Take: M&S has leapfrogged into global leadership on trusted wellness branding, not just participation.

 

4. Marketing Magic: Farm to Foodhall & Percy Pig Power

Chef Tom Kerridge’s “Farm to Foodhall” campaign boosted brand consideration from 43.4% to 45.9%. Meanwhile, Percy Pig and Colin the Caterpillar are TikTok darlings, with over 150 SKUs driving playful relevance.

Overlooked Data Point: Viral TikTok moments can spike product sales 300–400% within a week. Percy Pig is perfectly positioned for recurring viral lifts.

Global Comparison:

·       Trader Joe’s (U.S.): Creates cult products (Everything But the Bagel seasoning) that trend organically. Percy Pig is M&S’s equivalent—with better multi-category extensions.

·       Carrefour (France): Runs chef partnerships, but hasn’t cracked meme culture.

·       Walmart (U.S.): Pushes brands at scale, but lacks quirky icons that create generational emotional bonds.

Grocerant Guru® Tip: M&S should deepen provenance storytelling—QR codes, AR farmer stories, and carbon transparency could differentiate it globally.

 

What the Grocerant Guru® Wants to See Next

Here’s the Guru’s six-pack of future-forward ideas:

🍴 Strategy	💡 Guru Insight
Grocerant-style kiosks	Add chef-prepared bowls, sushi, and rotisserie for dwell-time lift
Hyper-personalized bundles	Leverage Sparks + ZOE to create diet/mood/lifestyle meal kits
Provenance storytelling	QR codes + AR features showcasing local farmers and sustainability
Positive branding	Retire “Punishment Juice”—adopt uplifting names like “Gut Boost Shot”
Digital–in-store convergence	Gamify Sparks with mystery meals & app-based scavenger hunts
Sustainability transparency	Highlight CO₂ savings, refill zones, compostable packaging

 

Summary Snapshot

Category	Highlights
Missteps	“Punishment Juice”; Plant Kitchen cuts; novelty dessert backlash
Successes	Food hall growth; Sparks personalization; health innovation; playful branding
Outlook	Strong appeal to families, health-conscious shoppers, and digital natives
Guru Suggestions	Grocerant kiosks; personalized bundles; provenance storytelling; gamification; sustainability

 

M&S vs. The Industry: Who’s Winning?

While UK supermarkets grew just 3.7% in August 2025, M&S food sales rose 6.7% year-on-year.

Global Competitive Lens:

·       Kroger: Stronger on data monetization but weaker on brand storytelling.

·       Trader Joe’s: Stronger cult status, weaker digital/data sophistication.

·       Carrefour: Larger international footprint, but weaker wellness credibility.

·       Aldi/Lidl: Price winners, but no emotional resonance.

Grocerant Guru® Verdict: M&S is transforming grocery into an experience that balances data, wellness, and delight. If they expand grocerant-style dining, embrace predictive personalization, and double down on emotional icons like Percy Pig, M&S won’t just win UK shoppers—they’ll emerge as a global model for modern food retail.

Are you ready for some fresh ideations? Do your food marketing ideas look more like yesterday than tomorrow? Interested in learning how our Grocerant Guru® 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 one of the following links: Facebook,  LinkedIn, or Twitter