How to Attract Inflation-Wary Shoppers With Foodservice at Food Retail
Rising costs and inflation are shaping shopper behavior.
Since the pandemic, there has been a shift toward meal planning, meal prepping and dining at home that puts food retailers in a good position to win market share. That’s because more than ever, shoppers are looking for value—and the latest research shows they are finding it in prepared foodservice items.
According to data from FMI’s The Power of Foodservice at Retail Report, more than half of shoppers say deli prepared foods offer a good value. When it comes to choosing between a fast-casual restaurant and prepared foods from a food retailer, the report shows that cost is the primary driver. Here are a few ways food retailers can emphasize value in deli departments to appeal to budget-conscious shoppers.
How to Showcase Value With Your Foodservice Offerings
Presentation Matters. Whether you’re offering hot entrees, a cold salad bar or simply presenting an array of premade grab-and-go options, the way you merchandise matters.
Careful attention to foodservice presentation conveys quality regardless of price point, so shoppers will feel even better about the value they get. That means every component of your displays, from your counters to your cases, plays a part in how your shopper will perceive the value of your products. Ensure your displays are equipped with the right lighting. Keep displays clean, organized and well-stocked. A dependable solution like the MCWC All-Metal Counter Work offers all the options food retailers need to show off foodservice offerings in the best light, including highly configurable inserts for hot or cold food or soup wells. Durable all-metal construction makes it easy to keep your display looking clean and appealing.
Showcase Freshness. When you emphasize freshness in your foodservice offerings, it reinforces that their value doesn’t come from cut corners, but from efficient in-house production.
Freshness and quality go hand-in-hand, and both play into your shoppers’ idea of a good value. Signage can play a big role here—think “Made Fresh Daily” or “Our Signature Recipe.” Visible food prep areas also convey freshness, quality and transparency in foodservice, which builds trust with shoppers. The MCWC All-Metal Counter Work also features a glass shelf on top of the food shield as an option to make it easy to interact with shoppers and an ideal food prep workstation, so your shoppers can see the freshness firsthand.
Elevate With Cross-Merchandising. Shoppers are looking for fast, easy meal solutions along with ways to stretch their dollars. Show them how easily your foodservice items can be integrated into a complete meal.
Cross-merchandise prepared entrees with easy sides or complementary mix-ins so shoppers can easily build a whole meal that’s personalized to their tastes. For example, display premium mix-ins and bread near your hot soup station or merchandise rotisserie chickens near your salad bar. This way, you show shoppers that your store goes beyond grab-and-go food options; you’re delivering value with whole meal solutions.
Shoppers are looking to stretch their dollars and make their lives easier with prepared foods. Hillphoenix has the tools food retailers need to merchandise meal solutions, display deli items and build excitement for heat-and-eat entrees.
After all, food retailers have trusted us to supply refrigeration solutions for 138+ years. We’ve also been a trusted source of merchandising expertise for 90+ years. We’re proud to share our research and insights so food retailers can improve shopper experience, build loyalty and boost basket ring at the same time.
About the Research
This article is powered by insights from FMI’s The Power of Foodservice at Retail Report, sponsored by Hillphoenix. The report contains data and analysis based on real shopper feedback, offering an in-depth look at foodservice at retail through the shopper’s eye.