Top News in the Produce Industry
July 16 – 31, 2023
July 31, 2023
Here is our bi-weekly roundup of the latest food industry news. In the weeks of July 16 – 31, new research identified 7 reasons why consumers prefer deli-prepared meals, consumers preferred fresh produce when grocery shopping, and Ahold Delhaize announced John Ruane as the Giant Co.’s president.
A Recession Would Cause Consumers to Cut Back on Meat
A survey conducted by Purdue University identified that in the event of a recession, customers would likely cut back on proteins like steak and pork and luxuries like dining out.
Grocers Tech Investments Expected to Grow
During GroceryTech, grocery retailers shared their plans for the next few years. 57% of retailers expect their spending in technology and automation to increase during 2023. Issues like stocks and labor concerns were also discussed during the sessions.
John Ruane Appointed Giant Co. New President
Ahold Delhaize USA named John Ruane as president of the Giant. Co. Prior to his appointment, Ruane served as interim president.
7 Reasons Consumers Prefer Deli Prepared Meals
The International Dairy, Deli, Bakery Association’s (IDDBA) annual show in Anaheim, CA identified 7 reasons why consumers prefer deli-prepared meals. The list includes variety, promotions, specialty options, and daily specials.
Key Grocery Retail Categories for the Summer
Data from 210 Analytics revealed that despite inflation, dairy sales will continue to grow. In the produce category, cherries were a powerhouse as sales increased nearly 72% compared to last year. Deli and bakery products saw price increases decrease to single digits for the first time in months.
Impacts of Grocery Delivery in Sustainability
CMU Research examined the impact of grocery delivery on energy use, emissions, and traffic and identified that grocery delivery is less energy efficient than the in-store shopping experience.
