Trends: There’s a Trend for That Food
’Tis the season for protracted food trend announcements from just about everyone. From mitochondrial optimization (courtesy of Natural Grocers) to hemp (courtesy of Whole Foods) to cricket flour (it’s out there), few foods are not trending for 2019. And yes, fermentation is still considered trending. The more obscure the food, the better for the trend […]
Retail Class of 2018
Independent gourmet retailers opening a store or getting through their first full 12 months of business in 2018 benefitted from a relatively upbeat economy (albeit a tight labor market), but still faced the ins and outs of product assortment, merchandising and marketing that vex all new stores. How did they fare? We talked with three […]
Retail Profile: Grand Fête
Retail Profile: Grand Fête Location: Hudson, Wis. Founded: May 2017 Co-owners: Kay Timm, Jane Wegand and Lynn Ulrich Square Footage: 1,800 sq. ft. Rent or Own: Rent The Merriam-Webster dictionary describes a grande fête as a way “to honor something with a large party or public celebration” and that’s the mood the trio of owners of the Grand Fête in Hudson seek to […]
Stats: Politics Plays Role in Shopping
When former Speaker of the House Thomas “Tip” O’Neill coined the phrase “All politics is local,” he didn’t know it at the time, but he could have been talking about retailing. According to a recent survey conducted by the NPD Group, consumers are paying closer attention than ever to politics these days and it is […]
Trends: International Home + Housewares Show Promotes Trends
Looking for the latest housewares trends? Search no further than the International Home + Housewares Show which runs March 2-5, 2019 at Chicago’s McCormick Place. That’s where current product and consumer lifestyle trends are showcased and a host of experts weigh in on just where those trends are headed in the future. From special product […]
Small Business Saturday – Business as Usual?
If you are an independent gourmet retailer your store was probably going to be open Saturday, Nov. 24 anyway. But did the fact that the date was Small Business Saturday help your business? “While we are looking forward to a strong, successful Christmas season, we didn’t do well during Small Business Saturday,” says Hannalore Holland, […]
Retail Profile: Somethin’s Cookin’
Location: Panama City, Fla. Owner: Hannalore Holland Founded: 1972 –This is the store’s third location. Square footage: 3,000 sq. ft. Rent or Own: Own When Hurricane Michael tore up Panama City, Fla., packing winds of 155 miles per hour this past October, Hannalore Holland dug into her supply of perishables and fed the first responders. Holland, whose store Somethin’s […]
Stats: Foodies of the Future Unite
When it comes to where food trends are going, it is not just Millennials who are shaping eating patterns. According to a new study, a group of consumers that crosses demographic lines is shaping the future of food. Meet “Gen Food.” The report released by FleishmanHillard at the Culinary Institute of America’s re-Think Food conference, […]
Trends: Blended Retailing
Holiday shoppers have more retail options than ever this year, from pop ups and local street fairs to traditional brick-and-mortar and, of course, online shopping. And consumers are increasingly exploring all the options, leading to something that is being called “blended retailing.” The distinct separation between brick-and-mortar and online retailing is waning as retailers are […]
Deck The Stores
The holidays are nearly upon us and retailers are busy building festive decorations into their merchandising strategies. Are they having fun yet? Liana Ottaviani, GM of Fante’s Kitchen Shop in Philadelphia, is. She says she loves this time of year, but admits “It is crazy, but as fun as it can be.” Part of that […]
