Food competition intensities; Grocery stores, C-stores and Chain restaurants fight for survival.



“The future has already arrived; it’s just not evenly distributed.” Too quote William Gibson

If you have been waiting to see what’s next, you might have just missed the bus. National food retailers risk being marginalized by new concepts with smaller footprints, lower cost of goods and faster service and local authentic fare.

Understanding the new retail food retail dynamics in the industry and reacting properly will accelerate your growth. Many national chains will close lack luster stores; pontificate on repositioning and capitulate market share for years to come, repositioning within the grocerant niche may be your answer to success.

Here is what we understand; consumer discontinuity in food retailing began in 2005 and continues. New points of distribution are growing, becoming smaller in size and worked out many of there problems.

Fresh & Easy for example reports last quarter sales are up again. They have continued to focus on ready-2-eat and heat-N-eat food portioned for one or two people. Trader Joe’s ready-2-eat and heat-N-eat food positioned in consumer friendly Mix & Match bundling continues to garner favor with consumers. Walgreens is building the prepared fresh food arena in unban locations with high quality grocerant style fresh prepared meals portioned for one or two and fresh coffee. Now CVS is selling fresh prepared food in select locations.

“The future has already arrived; it’s just not evenly distributed.” A quote made famous by William Gibson sure comes to mind don’t you think. The big retail companies are jumping in head first and food manufactures are simple thrilled that they have. The grocerant niche continues to boom and the consumer looks to be the beneficiary with new point of distribution and competitive pricing.

Chain Restaurants, Grocery Stores, C-stores and Drug store chains are all looking to increase their share of stomach. The grocerant niche so far has been the beneficiary.

Invite Foodservice Solutions® too provide brand, product positioning assistance or a grocerant program assessment. Each is available for Chain Restaurants, Convenience stores, Grocery stores and other food retailers. Since 1991 Foodservice Solutions® of Tacoma, WA has been the global leader in the Grocerant niche for more on Steven A. Johnson and Foodservice Solutions® visit http://www.linkedin.com/in/grocerant or twitter.com/grocerant