inStorebuyer - October 2011 - (Page 18)

foodserviceretail APPETIZING IDEAS FOR PREPARED FOODS Hispanic Trends Hispanic consumers currently comprise 16% of the U.S. population and are projected to reach 30 percent by the year 2050. Currently representing about $1 trillion of spending power in the U.S, Hispanics are the fastest growing population group in America. A new study by Technomic explores the foodservice attitudes and usage of this important group and notes that Hispanic consumers place high importance on family dining options and the authenticity of Hispanic menu options when dining out. Of note, three in four acculturated Hispanic consumers say they purchase prepared foods at grocery stores once a month or more often, and nearly a third say that they do so at least once a week. More than two out of five Hispanic consumers purchase foodservice options at convenience stores on a monthly basis. “Simply offering a Hispanicinspired menu item is not enough to attract Hispanic consumers, as more than one third of the consumers in our study actually disagree that the mere presence of Hispanic menu items will encourage them to visit a restaurant,” says Technomic Director of Consumer Research Sara Monnette. To help food industry professionals better understand Hispanic consumer behavior and attitudes, Technomic developed the Hispanic Foodservice Consumer Trend Report, which includes an online survey of 1,000 acculturated Hispanic consumers and a telephone survey of 100 unacculturated Hispanic consumers. One prime example of how a supermarket operator can appeal to Hispanics can be found in Texas, where Fiesta Mart has maintained a consistent approach of showcasing a variety of fresh products for a multicultural customer base in an authentic “Fiesta” atmosphere. Fiesta Mart services customers in 50 neighborhoods in Houston, Austin and Dallas/Fort Worth. With t reach into so many different communities, it is essential they offer a broad scope of fresh baked goods that appeal to many cultures. Ron Thompson, bakery merchandiser for Dallas/Fort Worth, describes bakery items such as Tres Leches cakes as “crossover” items because these products are loved by Hispanics and non-Hispanics. “We have a large of number of non-Hispanic customers buying our Tres Leches cakes,” he adds. “We have many crossover items because we are a multicultural company. At Fiesta, we’re blessed because we have a great customer base in bakery. Quality is the main driver, especially with bakery products.” Empanadas are another crossover item at Fiesta Mart. At the Fort Worth store, they offer six flavors: queso (cheese), calabaza (pumpkin), manzana (apple), piña (pineapple), camote (sweet potato) and guayaba Hispanic baked goods are popular across a variety of cultures. | 18 | inStorebuyer | October 2011 |

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of inStorebuyer - October 2011

inStorebuyer - October 2011
editor’s note - How to Energize Your Instore
Contents
New Stop & Shop Features Deli Kiosks
Kroger Commits to Breast Cancer Awareness
Dawn Busy Bakery - Brownie Trends
Dawn Busy Bakery - Brownie Facts
BJ’s Wholesale Opens in Massachusetts
More Mediterranean on Menus
Stratas Foods names Daniels VP of R&D
Price Chopper Launches Shops4U
Dawn 360 - The Donut Opportunity
Sam’s Club Reinvents Brands
Sobeys to Supply Target Canada
Hy-Vee Helps Launch Healthiest State Initiative
FMI Joins Family Day Campaign
Hispanic Trends
Signature Sandwiches
Yeast Donuts on the Rise
Deli Meats Decrease Overall Contribution
Energize & Engage
Trading for Dollars
Meat Slicers Offer Innovative Opportunities
Shoppers Prioritize Portion Control
"Raw" Milk
Product Trends
Product Showcase
Ad Index
Secret Mission

inStorebuyer - October 2011