Grocerants: Winning Big Time, and Here's How to Capitalize

 

They call me the Grocerant Guru®, and for good reason. In 1996, I wasn't just spotting a trend, I was defining a whole new niche in the food industry: the grocerant.

Back then, I saw a unique opportunity – a place where grocery stores and restaurants collided. I coined the term "grocerant" to describe this innovative concept, and wrote about it in major publications like Nation's Restaurant News and Restaurant Business.

The grocerant space has exploded since then, and I'm proud to say I was there at the very beginning. It wasn't just about identifying a trend, it was about quantifying, and qualifying this exciting new sales platform.

Today, I continue to work with leading foodservice companies, helping them navigate the ever-evolving world of grocerants. The grocerant niche is my legacy, and I'm thrilled to see it shaping the future of food retail.

As the Grocerant Guru®, I'm thrilled to see my predictions come true! Foodservice at retail is booming, and restaurants, convenience stores, and supermarkets are wise to jump on board.

Why the surge? It's a perfect storm of convenience, affordability, and pandemic-induced home cooking fatigue. People want delicious, ready-made options without the restaurant price tag.

Here's what retailers that want to win a larger share of stomach can do to win in the grocerant game:

1.       Be the "Easy Button" for Dinner: Offer a variety of grab-and-go meals, perfect for busy weeknights. Think salads, hot entrees, and sides – all ready to heat or eat.

2.       Cater to the Lunch Crowd: With more people working from home, lunchtime options are key. Expand your lunch menu with fresh, convenient choices.

3.       Become a Destination: Partner with local restaurants or offer unique signature items to set yourself apart. Think smoked meats, rotisserie chicken with a twist, or prepared meals inspired by global cuisines.

4.       Embrace Technology: Use kiosks to streamline ordering, personalize recommendations, and improve wait times. Automation in food prep can also boost efficiency and quality.

The future of grocerants is bright! By understanding consumer needs and offering innovative solutions, supermarkets can become the go-to spot for delicious and convenient meals.

Invite Foodservice Solutions® to complete a Grocerant ScoreCard, or for product positioning or placement assistance, or call our Grocerant Guru®.  Since 1991 Foodservice Solutions® of Tacoma, WA has been the global leader in the Grocerant niche. Contact: Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us or 253-759-7869

Do You Want to Build

A

Larger Share of Stomach

Focus on the 

Customer's Migration too

The Grocerant Niche 

Veroni Makes Party Planning for One, Two or Three Easy

 

Foodservice Solutions® Grocerant Guru®, Steven Johnson, based in Tacoma, WA stated “leading foodservice manufactures the ilk of Veroni are adapting to and evolving with consumers demand for fresh full-flavored authentic food.

Johnson continued, “consumers are looking for Convenient Snacking Solutions, Convenient Meal Solutions, and Convenient Mix & Match Food &Beverage Solutions for smaller size get togethers”.  After all Johnson reminds us that in the United States 62.8% of US Households had one or two people in 2019.  

Now consider that in 2020 Foodservice Solutions® recent Grocerant ScoreCards found 83.1% of consumers don’t know what’s for dinner at Noon, and 61.7% don’t know what’s for dinner at 4: PM.  Its easy to why prepared food purchases are frequently a planned purchase among 59% of shoppers.

Companies the ilk of Veroni understand the in the United States the dinner meal occasion has the highest amount of prepared food buys with 79%, with lunch at 77% and breakfast at 62%. So, if you want to garner a larger ‘Share of Stomach’ all food retailers must focus on full-flavored mix & match grocerant niche offerings portioned appropriately according to Johnson.  

Battle for Share of Stomach

So, for those of you who do not know, Veroni, is a beloved maker of Italian cured meats and specialty products. They recently introduced their AperiTime line: the brand-new Party Tray. Perfectly suited to further enrich the authentic Italian Aperitivo experience and ideal for at-home enjoyment or to be shared during small, socially distanced gatherings, the Party Trays offer an accessible premade selection of four Italian-style charcuterie boards, ready to open and enjoy. Now that’s convenient, authentic, full-flavored, and a perfect mix & match solution according to Johnson. 

Yes, Veroni’s Party Tray, are crafted to share with 2-3 others, offers 100% made-in-Italy cold cuts in four pairing variations:  the first features classic imported Italian prosciutto and salami combined with Provolone cheese, olives, and 100% Italian-made breadsticks, the second includes Italian prosciutto and salami, Provolone cheese, almonds, and dried cantaloupe, and the final two options feature coppa and salami in both mild and spicy versions, combined with Provolone cheese, almonds, dried pear, breadsticks, and dried ginger. 

Veroni ‘s Marketing Manager Emanuela Bigi stated, “We are all looking for small ways to celebrate, and we want to bring the experience of the classic Italian Aperitivo to life for Americans,” …“Pairing your favorite cocktail or glass of wine with a Veroni Party Tray, or “tagliere” (charcuterie plate in Italian), is the best way to enjoy the ritual of Aperitivo as we do in Italy.”

For international corporate presentations, regional chain presentations, educational forums, or keynotes contact: Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions.  His extensive experience as a multi-unit restaurant operator, consultant, brand / product positioning expert and public speaking will leave success clues for all. For more information visit GrocerantGuru.com, FoodserviceSolutions.US or call 1-253-759-7869