Progressive Grocer - November/December 2009 - (Page 84)

Fresh Food Categorical As the migration to category management for fresh food marches on, efforts to ease the burden of a tough economy in the produce category are producing a mixed bag of results. Shifts By Meg Major I n an effort to help mitigate the effects of a tough economy during the past 12 months, retailers nationwide have made a concerted effort to increase promotions and lower prices in the fresh produce department, according to the latest edition of the United Fresh Research & Education Foundation’s quarterly “Fresh Facts on Retail” report. Produced in partnership with the Perishables Group and sponsored by Del Monte Fresh Produce, the report — which measures retail price and sales volume trends for the top 10 fruits and vegetables, value-added, organic and other categories — found that the average price point for all produce was 3 percent lower in the second quarter of 2009 vs. the year-ago period, while overall volume increased 2 percent compared with last year. As a result of the lower price points, dollar sales rarely broke even, despite the fact that consumers often purchased larger quantities. As a composite, the vegetable category gained the most benefit from reduced prices, as volume increased 4 percent and dollar sales growth remained positive, up 0.3 percent, most likely as a result of vegetables’ role as a meal staple vs. the perception of fruits as an optional snack or luxury. Evidence of the • Progressive Grocer • November/December 2009 A H E A D O F W H AT ’ S N E X T www.progressivegrocer.com http://www.progressivegrocer.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Progressive Grocer - November/December 2009

Progressive Grocer - November/December 2009
Contents
Nielsen’s Shelf Stoppers/Spotlight: All Departments/Ramen Noodles
Progressive Grocer’s Category Captains Awards: Recession Planning
Consumer Insights: Innovate to Differentiate
Independents Report: Determining Relative Worth
Lempert Report:The Trends That’ll be Tops in 2010
Store of the Month: A New Brand of Winn-Dixie
Beverage Alcohol: Glass Half Full
Sports/Energy Drinks: Energetic Sales?
Category Management: Categorical Shifts
Holiday/Super Bowl Meat Promotions: Bowled Over
PG’s Annual Deli/Bakery/ Prepared Foods Roundtable: Bringing Value to the Table: Part 2
Packaging Trends: Sheer Innovation
Price and Promotion Optimization Software: Optimization Plus
Signage: Above and Beyond
What’s Next: Editors’ Picks for Innovative Products

Progressive Grocer - November/December 2009