inStorebuyer - February 2011 - 42

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workers, or the European debt crisis becomes widespread. Employment gains will average 156,000 jobs per month in the first six months of 2011, accelerating to 193,000 jobs per month in the second half. The unemployment rate will decline gradually during the year but remain high, averaging 9.5 percent in the first half and 9.2 percent in the second half. Private sector workers’ total hourly compensation will grow 2.2 percent in 2011, up from a 2.0 percent hike in 2010, as of the third quarter. The 25 economists who participated in the BNA study are from financial institutions, consulting firms, and academia. They were interviewed from Dec. 4-14, 2010. BNA is the largest independent publisher of specialized news, analysis, and reference services for professionals. According to the IDDBA’s What’s in Store report, the most important global industry trends, through 2014, are expected to include rising energy and commodity costs, pricing pressures, innovation and differentiation, sustainability, and supply chain efficiencies. One impact of today’s economy has been on packaging. Consumer Reports’ latest investigation, featured in the February issue of Consumer Reports and online at www.ConsumerReports. org, found that more grocery products are getting downsized. Household names like Tropicana orange juice and Kraft singles American cheese are all playing the shrinking package game, and manufacturers are attributing it to rising costs for ingredients and energy. “They’ve got a point. Higher commodity and fuel costs are expected to spike in food prices by as much as 3% is 2011,” says Tod Marks, senior editor and resident shopping expert at Consumer Reports. Manufactures make subtle changes to the packages but generally keep the price the same because when prices rise, buyers often seek cheaper alternatives. And the bottom line is that consumers are more attuned to changes in price than packaging. Consumer Reports found packages reduced in size by as much as 20% in its study.

The Food Channel Top 10 Trends for 2011:
• The Canning Comeback – “Putting Up” is gaining popularity for both economy and health. • Men in Aprons – Layoffs have led to more men cooking. • Local Somewhere – We care about hand-tended no matter where it’s grown. • Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell – We’re tired of being told what we can eat. • Appetite for Food Apps – Social media is our guide and our coupon source. • Small is the New Big Business – Corporations are thinking like small businesses. • Fresh Every Day – Rooftop gardens are just part of this trend. • Chefs in Schools – Better flavor is possible in an institutional setting. • Discomfort Foods – Change makes us comfortable with more change. • Eating for Sex and Other Things – We are working longer, and want all the gusto.

Food Forecast
According to Phil Lempert, founder of Food Nutrition & Science and CEO of The Lempert Report and SupermarketGuru.com, 2011 will mark the time when Americans make permanent, positive changes in their diets. “People will stop demonizing single nutrients or ingredients and begin approaching food more holistically,” says Lempert. “Shoppers will circle the aisles seeking foods rich in substance, vitamins, minerals and, of course, taste.” Sam’s Club, a leading membership warehouse club, recently highlighted taste during its eighth annual Holiday Taste of Sam’s Club, a nationwide event that offers Sam’s Club members and guests the opportunity to sample a wide-variety of decadent and gourmet foods, preview cooking

demonstrations and take part in holiday decoration workshops. “The Holiday Taste of Sam’s Club event is a great way to kick-off the holiday season to try delicious favorites and new recipes from Sam’s Club, while taking part in live cooking and decorating demonstrations,”

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inStorebuyer - February 2011

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