44% of shoppers have made changes to the way they approach meals based on rising costs. 

Shoppers are feeling the squeeze of inflation, but they’re also pressed for time.

That means more meal planning, more cooking at home and a rising demand for meal solutions that are simple, easy and fast. Frozen food plays a key role. Given that most consumers purchase both fresh and frozen items during the same trip, displays that cross-merchandise fresh and frozen items that complement each other to create full meals are especially effective.

What This Means for Your Store

Integrated cross-merchandising builds engagement across categories, making it a winning merchandising strategy.

Food retailers who take the next step to build displays with convenient and cost-effective meal solutions stand to gain increased loyalty that drives return visits. This kind of merchandising makes it easy for shoppers who don’t want to search through the aisles to come up with a complete meal. 

Plus, offering complete meal solutions in one spot entices shoppers to stock up on their favorites to simplify meal planning.

Do This to Maximize Frozen Merchandising

• The core idea is simple: Merchandise a combination of frozen, fresh and shelf-stable products that can come together fast for a complete meal. Choose versatile options like frozen veggies, fully cooked rotisserie chicken and quick-cook rice. Be sure to include shelf-stable enhancements like sauces and spices that shoppers can use to elevate and customize their meals.
  Make sure you have the right display cases to keep products at optimal temperatures.
• Prioritize big portions and family-size offerings. Households with 3 or more people are much more likely to purchase frozen foods, so keep their needs in mind.
• Shoppers with kids are also more likely to buy frozen. Include heat-and-serve family favorites like chicken nuggets in fun shapes along with fresh produce for busy parents aiming for balanced meals. Win bonus points by adding “hidden veggie” options that sneak vegetables into familiar comfort foods into your display.
• Don’t limit your displays to dinnertime. Data shows a clear opportunity gap in frozen breakfast options, so showcase options that go beyond dinner. Make it easy by merchandising complete breakfast solutions, from smoothies to waffles, so shoppers can check everyone’s favorites off their list.
• Frozen waffles pair perfectly with fresh products from departments across the store—sausage, eggs, fresh juice, fruit. Frozen tater tots can pair with eggs, cheddar cheese and scallions for a quick casserole. When shoppers can find everything they need for a week’s worth of breakfast in one spot, they’ll breathe a sigh of relief—and come back next week for new quick breakfast ideas.

Hillphoenix Solution Spotlight

CLARITY ONRZH High Glass Door Reach-In

Our versatile, customizable ONRZH reach-in makes the perfect foundation for easy meal display destinations.

• 64” interior front facings enhance planogram design options and set the stage for eye-catching merchandising that makes your food the star.
• With a taller height and narrower footprint, the ONRZH is ideal for creating engaging displays in tight spaces without creating traffic bottlenecks that disrupt your store’s shopper experience.
• Matching medium-temp cases are available to create a seamless visual look that emphasizes merchandising displays.
• Customize to match your store’s look and feel with door options, LEDs, bumpers and more.

Like all CLARITY cases from Hillphoenix, the ONRZH is highly customizable. Tailor to your store’s aesthetics with 130+ color options, several different finishes and multiple textures to meet any merchandising goal.

Explore the full CLARITY portfolio here: https://www.hillphoenix.com/clarity-reach-in-merchandisers/