Supermarket Perimeter - March 2023 - 3

Editor's note
Editorial
JOHN UNREIN
Editor
ANDY NELSON
Managing Editor
HAYLEY HYER
Digital Media Associate Editor
Publishing
TROY ASHBY
Publisher
GRETCHEN WAGNER
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LAUREN JULIANA
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KATHI D. GILLELAND
Senior Director of Marketing
and Promotions
WHITNEY HARTMAN
Sales Enablement Specialist
DUSTIN PICKMAN
Audience Development Director
CARLEA SCHULER
Audience Database Specialist
JON HALL
Director of Digital Media
CARRIE FLUEGGE
Digital Advertising Manager
NORA WAGES
Advertising Manager
ANNIE FOURNIER
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ELISABETH SPILLMAN
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MARJ POTTS
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BECKY WHITE
Senior Design Consultant
FIONA DANKER
Senior Graphic Designer
KATELYN BETZ
Graphic Designer
JIM WHITE
Promotions Manager
ABBY CHRONISTER
Promotions Media Designer
Corporate
CHARLES S. SOSLAND
Chairman and CEO
L. JOSHUA SOSLAND
President
STACI GRECO
Chief Financial and
Administrative Officer
MEYER SOSLAND
Chief Operating Officer
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supermarketperimeter.com
MARCH 2023 - 3
ANDY NELSON
anelson@sosland.com
REDEFINING
" essential "
The final 2022 numbers are in, and they reinforce
a story that is music to the fresh perimeter's ears:
Yes, consumers are worried about food inflation,
but it's not going to stop them from buying what
they want in fresh.
Affordability and inflation will remain front-burner issues in 2023, IRI's Jonna Parker said
in a webinar sponsored by the International Dairy, Deli, Bakery Association (IDDBA) and IRI,
" Holiday Season and Year in Review: Trends Driving Shoppers That Matter for 2023. "
But when it comes to the instore deli and bakery, people aren't going to stop buying their
prepared food entrees, fancy cheeses and charcuterie trays.
Many of these things may not qualify as " affordable. " But if shoppers view them as
" essential, " IRI found, that takes precedence.
No doubt about it: COVID brought out the inner cook in many Americans. But in 2022, IRI
did not see a discernible tilt away from prepared foods and toward from-scratch.
More people are realizing they can replicate the restaurant experience at home and still
not sacrifice convenience.
" Prepared foods is really coming back, and consumers are really gravitating to this
category. There are tons of growth opportunities, " said IRI's Amanda Evans.
It's all relative. Anything at retail is still perceived to be cheaper than foods purchased
from foodservice channels.
" What we are seeing is consumers trading up to affordable luxuries, " said IRI's Jonna
Parker. " Convenience and quality still drive sales - shoppers are not racing to the bottom.
Despite prices going up, demand is also going up. "
Instore deli did well across the board in 2022, according to IRI. Deli prepared sales were
up 13.4%, sandwiches 10.8%, prepared meats 13.3%, soups 14.1%, breakfast 22.7% and
pizza 15.5%.
Instore delis and bakeries and other perimeter departments have every reason to expect
that evolving consumers attitudes towards value and what they consider " essential " should
translate into an equally successful 2023.

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Supermarket Perimeter - March 2023

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