Supply Chain Solutions Thinking strategically The benefits of partnerships between retailers and processors Working closely with their supplier partners can yield significant merchandising and supply chain benefits for retailers. 20 retail MEAT TRENDS Meat_SP_0321.indb 20 C ooperation between the retailer and packer is nothing new. Partnership has long been necessary for efficient product delivery, effective merchandising and optimal supply chain operations. However, recent shifts in consumer behavior largely due to the pandemic have cracked open a plethora of opportunities for processors and retailers as they continue to navigate this new normal. At Tyson Fresh Meats, we pride ourselves on being the Beef and Pork Experts. We also take pride in our extensive consumer research and retail support programs. While the industry may see somewhat of a return to " normal " in 2021, we've identified a few trends that will likely stick around for the foreseeable future: * Shopping online: Over half of consumers we surveyed in September 2020 in conjunction with Midan Marketing have purchased meat online since the beginning of the pandemic, and one third say they plan to continue using an online service as their primary purchase method for protein in the future. * Cooking at home: One quarter of consumers said they would eat at restaurants less often after the pandemic ends due to changes in financial situations or heightened health and safety concerns lingering post-pandemic. * Seeking branded protein products: Shoppers still associate branded product with quality and consistency, and we've seen a preference for national brands return to near pre-pandemic levels. * A desire for traceability: Now more than ever, shoppers want to know were their food comes from. Millennials and Gen Z are driving this change, and we expect this trend to continue as these groups increasingly become their households' primary shoppers. For these reasons and more, there has never been a better time for retailers to lean on processors for strategic marketing support. AFRICA STUDIO - STOCK.ADOBE.COM by Kent Harrison supermarketperimeter.com 3/1/2021 12:47:28 PMhttp://www.supermarketperimeter.com