Progressive Grocer - April 2010 - (Page 68)

Fresh Food Though value-seekers are flush in the meat department, so, too, is a growing base of health-conscious shoppers increasingly demanding an answer to this all-important question. BEEF? By Meg Major A H E A D O F W H AT ’ S N E X T Where Was the hile promotions, deeper discounts and smaller pack sizes are serving as the key drivers of the majority of fresh meat sales these days, a more sophisticated breed of value-seeking consumers is trolling meat departments in larger numbers. And though it goes without saying that most shoppers readily cite low prices as the foremost way to stretch their food buck, premium-positioned fresh meat products continue to gain clout as one of the most promising long-term fresh strategies. W other channels, opportunities to further grow and enhance premium-positioned, purely natural and organic fresh meat programs are well within reach for many retailers. To that end, the latest “Power of Meat” study released at last month’s Annual Meat Conference revealed that nearly 20 percent of shoppers have purchased organic or natural meats in recent months, with younger shoppers the most likely purchasers. Natural and organic store formats continue to lose market share to superPositioning premium protein lines with a “quality over markets and farmers’ quantity” mindset, more and more supermarkets are sharpmarkets, and the conening their knives in a bid to help shoppers eat healthfully on ventional supermara budget and take greater control of their lives with products Branded premium beef lines like those offered by Meyer Natural ket remains the main that offer “extra value” in the form of wellness attributes, Foods are gaining traction with retailers and consumers alike. outlet for organic and higher quality standards and, of course, reputable environnatural meat, at 50 mental report cards. Further, with supermarkets squarely in the cat-bird percent, according to the joint American Meat Institute (AMI)/Food seat as the primary preferred destination for fresh meat purchases vs. Marketing Institute (FMI) study, which, along with sponsor Sealed www.progressivegrocer.com 68 • Progressive Grocer • April 2010 http://www.progressivegrocer.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Progressive Grocer - April 2010

Progressive Grocer - April 2010
Table of Contents
Nielsen’s Shelf Stoppers/Spotlight: Baby Needs/Baby Powder
The Lempert Report: Ways to Improve the Nutrition Facts Panel
Best Practices: The Employee Satisfaction, Productivity and Profit Connection
State of the Industry Report: Looking Up, Cautiously
Store of the Month: Standing Ovation
GMA President’s Note: Tackling Obesity: A New Blueprint for Success
Natural Meat: Where Was the Beef?
Produce: Swinging Springtime Sales
Beverage Alcohol: The Case for Beer
Breakfast Foods: The Start of Something Big
Dairy: Probiotics in Dairy and Frozen: A Healthy Pursuit
Baby Care: The Dry Season
Pet Care and Supplies: Where the Margin Is
Case Study: King of the Jungle
Tech Toolbox: A Look at the Latest Solutions
Foodservice: No Strain, No Pain
Sustainability: Green Energy is Blooming
What’s Next: Editors’ Picks for Innovative Products

Progressive Grocer - April 2010