McDonald’s is preparing an aggressive summer promotion targeting core c-store customers. Another month, another challenge for convenience store operators. Where is the legendary Charles Atlas when the big bad bully tries to kick sand in our collective faces? As I’m sure you’ve heard by now this summer’s bully is, once again, McDonald’s. The hamburger chain…
Promoting Pizza’s Popularity
According to Mintel, an independent provider of market research, sales at the 16 leading pizza restaurants grew only 1.2% into 2008 to $16.6 billion. Among the challenges facing pizza providers is the public’s desire for healthier products as opposed to “high-calorie, high-fat pizza offerings and limited menu variety, which may be more of a turn-off…
Raising the Bar on Snack Sales
Energy bars are most often associated with top athletes and endurance sports. But as consumers have found themselves pressed for time—and energy—the category has morphed into an array of tasty, low-cost products that provide a quick meal solution across multiple dayparts. More importantly, the category has evolved to include a multitude of variations from healthy…
The Sky’s the Limit
Making your mark in the convenience store industry requires hard work, dedication, great people and outstanding service. Throw in three generations of family-owned leadership and a firm commitment to quality and value, and you’ll understand why High’s of Baltimore Inc. is among one of the most revered operators in its markets. “Our brand has been…
Raising the Bar on Energy Sales
The first sports and energy bars in the U.S. were marketed primarily to serious athletes, through alternative channels such as health food stores. These bars did not have wide appeal or distribution as recently as 1990, but over the past two decades these products have since gained mass appeal and distribution after greatly improving flavor…
Dairy and Ice Cream Deliver Health, Value
DID YOU KNOW? After several years of decline, the frozen novelties category was up close to 2% for the 52 weeks ended Dec. 27, 2009. Retailers can expect to see more customers eating at home, searching for value on purchases and buying more healthful food items, according to the International Dairy Deli Bakery Association (IDDBA).…
Del Monte’s Fresh Vending Line Debuts at Universities
Students and faculty now have healthier snack options to eat on-the-go, as Del Monte fresh fruit and vegetables are being sold in vending machines across university, college and school campuses, nationwide. The University of Notre Dame, The University of Miami and Miami-Dade College are among the first higher education institutions taking concrete steps to help…
Diet Coke Unveils New Packaging, Heart Health Message
For the third consecutive year, Diet Coke is partnering with Klum and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) in a national heart health awareness campaign called The Heart Truth. To bring heart health into the spotlight during February, American Heart Month, Diet Coke will distribute special limited-edition packaging in support of the campaign.…
Consumer Trends To Watch In 2010
The International Dairy Deli Bakery Association (IDDBA) has released “What’s In Store 2010”, a trends report that reveals which consumer shopping trends will have the most impact in the next five years. According to the report, the demand for low prices, health and wellbeing, convenience, sustainability, and food safety and quality are the trends to…
Healthful Food Choices A National Issue
In his FY 2011 budget proposal, President Barack Obama addressed the need for bringing healthy food options to underserved communities by calling for more than $400 million in investments in new and expanded supermarkets, farmers markets and other food stores. The public-private grant and loan program would dramatically reduce the roughly 23 million Americans who…