The
grocerant niche—where C-store, grocery, and restaurant experiences intersects, is
no longer a trend; it’s a transformational global force redefining food retail.
Once an outlier concept, today it’s an essential pillar of modern food culture.
Steven Johnson the Grocerant Guru®
at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice
Solutions, was the first to identify, quantify, and qualify this emerging
sector, and he remain the global authority tracking its explosive evolution
worldwide.
Now,
one of the most compelling examples of this growth comes from Canada, where
Aburi Restaurants Canada is preparing to open its third Aburi Market
location—this time in the heart of Downtown Vancouver. More than a grocery
store and more than a restaurant, this premium Japanese Washoku concept
exemplifies the very essence of a grocerant: convenient, high-quality,
restaurant-prepared food offered in a retail environment that resonates with
consumers' cravings for speed, authenticity, and value.
The
new 3,200-square-foot location will offer Aburi Market’s signature freshly
prepared grab-and-go sushi bentos, Japanese specialty snacks, and exclusive
imported goods from Japan. In an innovative twist, it will also debut a
brand-new Japanese bakery concept crafted in collaboration with head baker
Yukiko Iikura of sister brand Wa-Bagel. This fusion of culinary art and retail
convenience is the grocerant niche in full bloom.
Seigo
Nakamura, visionary founder and CEO of Aburi Restaurants Canada, explains, “We
first began exploring the Japanese Washoku concept during the pandemic, when we
opened Aburi-To-Go (now Aburi Market)—our first grocerant. From there, our
vision brought us Aburi Market at Ambleside, and now, Downtown Vancouver.”
This
kind of agility and innovation is what defines successful food retail in the
21st century.
To
remain relevant and competitive, here are five things food retailers around
the world can do right now to evolve alongside consumers migrating to the
grocerant model:
1. Develop
a Signature Fresh Meal Line – Consumers crave convenience without
compromise. Retailers should offer freshly prepared, chef-inspired meals with a
clear culinary point of view, ready to heat and eat or enjoy on the spot.
2. Create
a Branded, Cross-Utilized Meal Component Station
– Think modular. Soups, sauces, proteins, and grains that can be mixed and
matched to customize meals drive personalization, one of today’s most powerful
foodservice trends.
3. Integrate
Authentic Ethnic Cuisines – Global flavors are in high demand.
Bringing in culinary experts to develop culturally authentic dishes allows
retailers to expand meal occasions and create food discovery moments that build
customer loyalty.
4. Invest
in Quality Packaging That Supports Portability & Visual Appeal
– Packaging is a silent salesman. It needs to support shelf-life, temperature
control, and present meals in an appetizing, upscale way that justifies premium
pricing.
5. Design
In-Store Experiences That Feel More Like Restaurants Than Grocery Stores
– Lighting, signage, service counters, and seating should all reflect
restaurant-like ambiance. Grocerants are about more than food—they’re about
lifestyle and experience.
Across
the globe, this model is gaining ground fast. Consider these five international
grocerant success stories:
1. Eataly
(Italy & Worldwide) – Where high-end grocery meets
artisanal restaurants and cooking education, creating a seamless, immersive
Italian food culture experience.
2. Foodhall
by Sainsbury’s (UK) – Offering sushi bars, pizza ovens,
and fresh-prep counters inside grocery locations that mimic fast-casual
restaurant formats.
3. 7-Eleven
Japan – Delivering consistent, quality meals via ready-to-eat
bento, soba, and onigiri options that serve time-starved consumers with
flavor-first solutions.
4. Dean
& DeLuca (Thailand) – Reframing gourmet food retail with
in-store cafés, seasonal menus, and premium pre-packaged meal components.
5. City’super
(Hong Kong) – Combining upscale food shopping
with culinary entertainment, including pop-up cafes, live cooking stations, and
taste testing zones.
From
Tokyo to Toronto, London to Los Angeles, the grocerant niche is booming—fueled
by evolving consumer demand for meals that are fast, fresh, and full of flavor.
Aburi Market’s Downtown Vancouver debut is not just a new store opening; it's
another landmark in the global grocerant movement.
And
make no mistake: this is a movement. I’ve been privileged to lead the charge in
championing grocerants as the future of food retail—where differentiation meets
delight, and convenience meets culinary craftsmanship.
As
always, stay tuned. The grocerant world keeps growing—and I’ll be here, guiding
the way.
Success Leaves Clues—Are You Ready to Find Yours?
One
key insight that continues to drive success is this: "The consumer is
dynamic, not static." This principle is the foundation of our work at Foodservice
Solutions®, where Steven Johnson, the Grocerant Guru®, has been
helping brands stay relevant in an ever-evolving market.
Want
to strengthen your brand’s connection with today’s consumers? Let’s talk.
Call 253-759-7869 for more information.
Stay Ahead of the Competition with Fresh Ideas
Is
your food marketing keeping up with tomorrow’s trends—or stuck in yesterday’s
playbook? If you're ready for fresh ideations that set your brand apart, we’re
here to help.
At
Foodservice Solutions®, we specialize in consumer-driven retail food
strategies that enhance convenience, differentiation, and
individualization—key factors in driving growth.
👉
Email us at Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us
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