Dept. Fresh Prepared

  1. Partnerships & Alt Profit

Wings and Rings Branded Partnerships Drive Sales

  From a historical grocerant perspective, branded partnerships have long been a cornerstone for driving consumer interest and boosting sales in the foodservice industry. By combining iconic flavors, recognizable brands, and promotional synergies, successful partnerships have created memorable dining experiences that resonate with customers and spur repeat visits according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at […]
4 min read
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  1. Department & Category

Food Price Wars and Service in Focus: EG America Introduces $3 Meal Deal

  Throughout history, price wars have shaped consumer decision-making in the competitive foodservice landscape according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®. However, price alone seldom guarantees success; service, convenience, and quality frequently emerge as decisive factors. In this context, EG America’s introduction of its $3 Meal Deal signals a strategic […]
3 min read
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  1. Channel: Grocery

Kroger’s Pricing and Positioning Problems

  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 […]
4 min read
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  1. Shopper & Customer

Grocerants: 7 Big Opportunities for 2025

  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, […]
4 min read
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  1. Channel: Grocery

The Risk of Raising Restaurant Prices in 2025

  In 2025, the foodservice landscape is rapidly evolving, creating significant challenges for restaurant operators contemplating price increases. While higher menu prices may offset rising labor, rent, and ingredient costs, they come with heightened risks in an era where consumer behavior has dramatically shifted. From the Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice […]
5 min read
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  1. Department: Food

Fast Food Restaurants: The Race to Attract Customers Back

  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 […]
5 min read
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  1. Holiday & Events

Happy Holiday Meals: Last-Minute Meal Planners Embrace Grocerant Niche Mix & Match Bundling for Customization and Convenience

  The holiday season continues to witness an evolving cultural shift as family traditions adjust to accommodate modern priorities. Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA-based Foodservice Solutions®, states, “More families are placing value on experiences over hours spent cooking, cleaning, and doing dishes.” Whether it’s skiing, shopping, binge-watching the latest holiday shows, or simply […]
3 min read
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  1. Channel: Grocery

Now What: Kroger vs Albertsons – Who Won?

  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, […]
4 min read
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  1. Data & Insights

Experiential Retail Trends in Beauty: Embracing Pop-Ups and Immersive Marketing

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 […]
5 min read
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  1. Department: Food

Year in Review: Consumer Migration Between Convenience Stores, Restaurants, and Service Delis

  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 […]
4 min read
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  1. Department: Food

Has Amazon Finally Cracked the Code for Grocery Retailing?

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 […]
8 min read
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  1. Department: Food

Top 10 Seasonal Regional Non-Holiday Takeout Meals

  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 […]
4 min read
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  1. Department: Food

Critical Questions for Managing Grocery Retail Supply Chain Disruptions 

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 […]
4 min read
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  1. Department: Beverage

Wally’s Wine & Spirits Joins Century Plaza’s Urban Retail Concept

Wally’s Wine & Spirits, a gourmet retail destination that offers wine, artisan cheese, charcuterie and a select menu of California-French food, will debut a new concept from Reuben Brothers at Century Plaza in Los Angeles next year. Set to open in summer 2025, the new Wally’s concept will feature a 2,500-square-foot interior and a 1,500-square-foot […]
2 min read
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  1. Channel: Restaurants

Luxury for Lunch: Louis Vuitton Unveils New Restaurant Concept in NYC Flagship

Hungry for luxury, Louis Vuitton fans? Head to 57th Street in New York to not only shop the brand’s fashionable creations but eat them too. Louis Vuitton has opened a new five-floor flagship designed to combine luxury retail, culture and gastronomy, according to a company statement. The store is meant to be a temporary destination […]
2 min read
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  1. Channel: Ecommerce & Digital

How Restaurants Can Reduce Food Delivery Mess-Ups

  As the demand for food delivery skyrockets, so do consumer expectations for accuracy, temperature consistency, and timeliness according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®. However, according to industry surveys, 65% of delivery drivers experience delays of over 15 minutes at restaurants, leading to late deliveries, cold food, and missing […]
4 min read
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  1. Shopper & Customer

How Grocery Retailers and Brands Can Anticipate and Address Consumer Behavior Changes in 2025

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, […]
3 min read
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  1. Holiday & Events

Why Mix-and-Match Meal Components Are the Ultimate Choice for Thanksgiving Dinner

  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 […]
5 min read
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  1. Channel: Delivery

Food Hall Startup Wonder Acquires Grubhub for $650 Million

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 […]
2 min read
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  1. Data & Insights

Burger King Struggles with Clear Messaging, The Grocerant Guru® Reviews: Lost Market Share, Slowed Innovation, and the Path Forward

  Burger King’s once-iconic brand has struggled to maintain its foothold as a top-tier global player. In recent years, the brand has seen declining sales, lost market share to its major competitors, and difficulty resonating with younger generations, including Millennials and Gen Z. Once known for its bold “Have It Your Way” motto, Burger King […]
6 min read
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  1. Department: Food

The Service Deli Disconnect: How Grocers Can Rethink Fresh, Tackle Food Pricing, and Reignite Customer Engagement

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 […]
5 min read
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  1. Shopper & Customer

How GLP-1 Use is Creating Opportunities in the Vitamin & Supplements Category

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 […]
6 min read
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  1. Shopper & Customer

Aldi: Redefining Consumer Value in an Era of Rising Prices

  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 […]
5 min read
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  1. Channel: Convenience

Get Paid $2,500 to Be a Wawa Hoagie Hunter – Is This the Best Gig Ever?

  Wawa Fans Rejoice! You Can Now Get Paid to Eat Hot Turkey Gobblers! 🦃✨ SIXT is on the hunt for an enthusiastic Hoagie Hunter who is ready to take on the delicious challenge of finding the best Wawa Hot Turkey Gobbler across 100 different locations. Yes, you read that right! Get paid to indulge […]
3 min read
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Trending Topics

Editor’s Choice

  1. Holiday & Events
  2. Holiday & Events

Shoppers believe best holiday deals are after holidays

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 […]
Written by
  1. Trends & External Forces
  2. Data & Insights
  3. Technology & Innovation
  4. Trends & External Forces

2025 Outlook: A Snapshot into Ad Spend, Opportunities, and Strategies for Growth

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 […]
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  1. Data & Insights
  2. Technology & Innovation

AI at the retail edge: What’s possible now

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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  1. Media & Marketing
  2. Department: Consumer Durables
  3. Department: HBC
  4. ESG
  5. Media & Marketing
  6. Data & Insights
  7. Shopper & Customer
  8. Trends & External Forces
  9. Holiday & Events
  10. Merchandising
  11. Operations & Supply Chain
  12. Stores & Formats

Some retailers would benefit from a TikTok ban in 2025

TikTok Shop took the market by storm in just two years. The social media platform sold more merchandise than Sephora [LVMUY] in late 2024 according to Earnest credit card data. TikTok Shop also handily outperformed during the 2024 holiday season. But a potential ban could result in brands losing access to a vital marketing and […]
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