Dept. Deli

  1. Shopper & Customer
  What do consumers think a Grocerant is? According to Steven Johnson, the Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA-based Foodservice Solutions®, the man who coined the term “Grocerant,” it is “any retail food item that is fresh prepared Ready-2-Eat or Heat-N-Eat.” Traditionally, these items have been found in grocery store service delis, convenience store prepared food […]
  1. Technology & Innovation
Ikea says that it has received 3,730 applications in just six days for its new Oxford Street, London store. Interest in the 150 available positions marks the largest ever response the home furnishing retailer has seen in the UK. It provides the independently set Real Living Wage of £13.85 per hour alongside benefits including flexible […]
  1. Department & Category
  Food marketing is all about relevance, timing, and creating a brand invitation that turns heads. The latest collaboration between Wingstop and OPI hits all three marks, proving once again that consumer behavior is the key to unlocking incremental sales growth according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®. In a […]
  1. Channel: Restaurants
  In today’s dynamic food landscape, grocery stores and supermarkets are venturing boldly into the restaurant space, attempting to compete with quick-service and sit-down dining establishments. Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions® was the first to predict that this venture would present challenges, as these grocery-restaurant hybrids frequently misunderstand the core […]
  1. Data & Insights
  The evolution of Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat fresh food has surged over the years, with 2025 proving to be a landmark moment for the grocerant niche. These retail food solutions cater to time-starved consumers seeking convenience, quality, and value. Steven Johnson, Foodservice Solutions® Grocerant Guru®, based in Tacoma, WA identifies seven powerful undercurrents driving this […]
  1. Department: Food
  Kids Eat Free promotions have long been a cornerstone for family-oriented restaurants like IHOP and Denny’s, offering a compelling traffic-driving incentive for parents. However, as guest traffic declines across restaurant categories, this once-exclusive restaurant strategy is now being adopted by non-traditional fresh food retailers, convenience stores (C-stores), and even grocery store delis. Steven Johnson […]
  1. Department: Food
  In today’s dynamic food landscape, technology is reshaping the pathways of fresh food distribution. Mobile marketing and virtual retailing are challenging the traditional dominance of brick-and-mortar foodservice retailers as consumer expectations evolve around convenience, accessibility, and personalization according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®. This shift is most evident in […]
  1. Department & Category
  Handheld foods—such as burgers, pizza slices, and sandwiches—have become increasingly popular, especially among single-person and two-person households according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®. This trend is evident not only in the rise of takeout and delivery services but also in the prevalence of handheld options in sit-down restaurants. […]
  1. Channel: Grocery
  Kroger, one of the United States’ largest grocery chains, faces an increasingly challenging road ahead. The failed merger with Albertsons, intensified scrutiny over food stamp benefits, and a fragmented brand strategy are creating a conundrum for this retail giant. As competitors adapt more rapidly to changing consumer preferences, Kroger’s struggles highlight the evolving dynamics […]
  1. Shopper & Customer
  As 2025 approaches, the evolving food landscape presents unparalleled opportunities for all food retailers offering grocerant meal components or meals.  All food retailers include Convenience Stores, grocery service deli’s, restaurants, dollar stores think of it as any retailer has the ability to evolve into a hybrid concept blending grocery and restaurant-style dining. Political uncertainty, […]
  1. Department: Food
  Today convenience stores, grocery delis, and virtual restaurants are eating into legacy restaurant market share according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®.The fast-food industry, once the go-to for affordability, speed, and convenience, is facing formidable competition from unexpected corners. Convenience stores (C-stores), grocery deli departments, and virtual restaurants are […]
  1. Channel: Grocery
  The merger drama between Kroger and Albertsons has dominated headlines in the food retail world, raising a critical question: who will emerge victorious? According to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®, by examining food industry trends, competitive missteps, and each chain’s strategic pivots, it becomes clear that Albertsons, albeit cautiously, […]
  1. Data & Insights
The beauty retail industry is embracing experiential retail, a strategy that transforms shopping into an immersive and interactive experience. Experiential retail goes beyond simply buying products—it’s about creating memorable moments through activities, curated spaces, or interactive elements that engage customers on a deeper emotional level. Beauty pop-ups and flagship stores have become destinations, offering gamified […]
  1. Department: Food
  As 2024 comes to a close, the dynamic interplay between convenience stores (C-stores), restaurants, and service delis continues to reshape the food industry landscape. If success does leave clues and it does according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions® let’s look at who is winning and some that may […]
  1. Department: Food
In 2020 my beloved local Fairway went under, and for five years the store space has languished, sitting dark and empty alongside several other shuttered chains: Modell’s, Subway (although somehow the Kohl’s has survived). However, one month ago the lights turned back on — with bright green flag chains strung across the parking lot and […]
  1. Department: Food
  As seasonal flavors captivate consumers, regional specialties offer unique opportunities for the foodservice industry to shine. Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions® wants to remind everyone that there is an abundance of fresh, fast, flavorful, meals available in your area.  Convenience stores, grocery delis, and restaurants are increasingly leveraging these […]
  1. Department: Food
By Jonna Parker, Team Lead, Fresh Foods Group As the pandemic faded into the rearview mirror and U.S. consumers grappled with two years of historic inflation, 2024 was to be the year grocery retailers and manufacturers got back to normal. But the summer and early fall brought disruptive events in the form of headline-dominating food […]
  1. Shopper & Customer
By Sally Lyons-Wyatt, Global EVP & Chief Advisor, Consumer Goods & Foodservice Insights Consumers have always modified their shopping habits in response to economic challenges. In the past five years, though, they’ve flipped the script, responding to compounded price growth, year over year, since 2019. There are signs inflation is easing – but even so, […]
  1. Holiday & Events
  As Thanksgiving approaches, many people imagine gathering around a table filled with classic dishes, from roasted turkey to creamy mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce. But while the tradition is cherished, the reality of hosting Thanksgiving can be overwhelming, with endless hours of cooking, rising grocery bills, and the challenges of balancing varied taste preferences […]
  1. Channel: Delivery
Wonder Group, the “fast fine dining” retailer founded by serial entrepreneur Marc Lore, will purchase Grubhub from Just Eat Takeaway.com for $650 million, including $500 million in senior notes and $150 million in cash. The deal is projected to be finalized during Q1 2025, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. “Wonder’s acquisition of […]
  1. Department: Food
In today’s dynamic food retail landscape, grocery store service delis, once known for their quality, convenience, and fresh food options, are struggling to meet the demands of a modern consumer base hungry for more than just another cold cut or outdated salad option. Consumers desire for grocerant niche Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat fresh prepared food consumers […]
  1. Shopper & Customer
We see the ads everywhere: Ozempic. WeGovy. Rybelsus. Mounjaro. They are on our televisions. Filling up our social media feeds. In Super Bowl spots. Relative newcomers like Ro and Hers – low cost versions from the two telemedicine giants – are plastered on billboards and ads in the trains I take regularly in NYC. Even […]
  1. Shopper & Customer
  As grocery prices continue to surge across the industry, consumers are increasingly seeking stores that align with their financial concerns and lifestyle needs. Now, according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®, Aldi, the German-based discount supermarket chain, has emerged as a champion of consumer relevance, setting itself apart with […]
  1. Shopper & Customer
  The restaurant industry is facing an ongoing wave of disruptions, shaking the foundations of once-thriving chain brands according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®. The post-pandemic landscape has only intensified a pattern that has been unfolding for years—one of brand migration, pricing wars, renewed channel competition, and stagnant messaging […]
  1. Department: Food
Introduction: Processed meat’s simplicity, long shelf life, and adaptability have become a mainstay in diets worldwide. In many countries, processed meats—from hot dogs and sausages to bacon and deli meats—are consumed in large numbers. Growing urbanization, shifting consumer tastes, and advancements in food processing technology are driving the global market for processed meat.
  1. Department & Category
  The age-old question, “What’s for dinner?” has evolved dramatically over the decades, shaped by societal changes and consumer demands. In a world where speed of service, affordability, portability, and dietary preferences take center stage, families today are more interested in finding meal solutions that satisfy everyone at the table without sacrificing quality or convenience, […]

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  1. Data & Insights
  2. Partnerships & Alt Profit
  3. Media & Marketing
  4. Data & Insights
  5. Shopper & Customer
1-800-Flowers still leads in US, FTD is gaining share 1-800-Flowers is the largest flower service by sales headed into Valentine’s Day 2025, according to Earnest credit card data. However, the industry stalwart is likely to lose share this season if recent trends continue. Access chart in Dash. 1-800-Flowers commanded 37.0% of Valentine’s Day flower sales […]
  1. Holiday & Events
  2. Holiday & Events
A good number of consumers, over 77%, believe there are better deals available after the holidays, and nearly 51% plan to take advantage by making a large purchase in late December and January. Those are top findings from a Holiday Green survey, from CouponCabin, regarding consumer habits in the post-holiday time frame. When it comes to post-holiday […]
  1. Trends & External Forces
  2. Data & Insights
  3. Technology & Innovation
  4. Trends & External Forces
IAB’s 2025 Outlook: A Snapshot into Ad Spend, Opportunities, and Strategies for Growth offering an early glimpse into ad spending trends for the coming year. The report is a must-read to gain and understanding of brand and agency buyers’ growth strategies and the challenges they foresee. The report covers: 2025 projections for the market overall […]
  1. Data & Insights
  2. Technology & Innovation
There’s been a lot of talk lately about artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI (GenAI) and how these technologies are going to revolutionize retail. But the retail revolution can’t be accomplished with sweeping generalizations about putting more technology into stores. Successful retail outcomes are built using technology to solve specific challenges, expanding on wins and […]

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