Infographic: Capture Savings as You Spend Capex Dollars on Refrigeration Upgrades
Are you looking for projects to help you make the most of your allocated capital expenditure budget before the year runs out? A refrigeration system upgrade is a strong option. Here’s why: It’s a capex project that can be accomplished in a relatively short time. There’s no major construction. It positions your store for more modernization down the road. The upfront costs can often be offset by rebates and incentives — as much as 40% depending on project size and location. The investment is returned through years of energy savings. Your refrigeration system upgrade also may lead to savings on water [...]
Lighting helps highlight true colors of products and stores
Join Margie Proctor and Jack Sjogren for “The Art of Lighting – Merchandising and Food Presentation” at Supermarket Sense 2016, September 21-22 in Conyers, Ga. From highlighting food products to setting the tone for the shopping experience, lighting – in particular, color choice – is a key merchandising strategy for grocers. Lighting is one of the first things a shopper sees when they enter a store, so it is important to make a good first impression with the right lighting. Think about lighting in different types of stores: A discount store has brighter, more even lighting that is designed to [...]
Ask the Right Questions about Food Packaging Design and Materials
Dr. Keith Vorst is the Director for the Polymer and Food Protection Consortium at Iowa State University. Join Dr. Keith Vorst for “Make Every Package Count” at Supermarket Sense 2016, September 21-22 in Conyers, Ga. Many retailers are inclined to rely solely on suppliers for food packaging without asking the right questions regarding the specific needs of their stores. In reality, taking control of that process and equipping themselves with the right information is a crucial step for food retailers. Knowing what materials and types of packaging work best for different products can help them in areas ranging from cost [...]
Prepared Food Safety is Critical for Managing Risk, Maximizing Opportunities
Join Michael Williams and Joe Sielski for “HACCP Plan – Ideas on Having a Strong Program for Prepared Meals and Deli” at Supermarket Sense 2016, September 21-22 in Conyers, Ga. Offering prepared and semi-prepared foods at retail supermarkets presents a great opportunity for grocers but also presents a potential for great risk if the food safety program is not properly executed. That is why these programs are best viewed as an investment rather than an expense. Ensuring viable food safety is necessary for food retailers to build their prepared foods business and ultimately engage their customers. A good food safety [...]
Snack-Sized Ideas for Growing Prepared Food Sales
Nearly all Americans snack at least once a day: 94 percent, according to market research firm Mintel. Half of adults snack multiple times a day, and many prefer healthier options. When you’re packaging prepared foods, are you offering portable and craveable packaged snacks? Customers aren’t just buying the food; they’re also buying the container. Or they’re eating with their eyes first. Are you making them hungry? Are they going to want to try your delectable, craveable creation? Seventy percent of adults agree that nearly anything can be considered a snack. For added cravability, try packaging simple snack foods with fresh [...]
Fresh-on-the-Perimeter — Inform and Entertain Shoppers with a Produce Destination Center
Join Jack Sjogren and Kelly Sayko for “Innovations in the Fresh Perimeter” at Supermarket Sense 2016, September 21-22 in Conyers, Ga. Today’s consumers expect a lot from their supermarket shopping trips. Not only do they want to see a range of fresh fruit and vegetable offerings, they also want to be educated about how to incorporate more of these healthy foods into their families’ meals. Indeed, research by the Produce For Better Health Foundation shows 52% of consumers want new ideas for how to prepare and serve produce. Destination centers in the produce section can help supermarkets meet consumers’ demands [...]
Infographic: 3 Ways to Finance Energy Projects without Being Cash Strapped
The single greatest barrier to food stores initiating energy efficiency (EE) and renewable energy (RE) projects is initial costs. The “sticker shock” prevents owners from acting on measures that reduce energy and maintenance costs, improve the customer experience and ultimately the bottom line. Learn more about three powerful ways to pay for energy upgrades while maintaining a positive cash flow: on-bill financing, traditional financing, and property-assessed clean energy (PACE) programs.
i2i — Raising the Bar on Fresh in Small Format Stores
Small format grocery stores — and convenience stores, in particular — are taking fresh foods to a whole new level. Once a place to gas up the car and grab a soda and bag of chips, convenience stores are becoming part of the “What’s for dinner?” solution by offering fresh and healthy grab-and-go meals. And small format grocers appeal to shoppers with a middle ground alternative to traditional supermarkets and convenience stores. One thing all small format stores have in common is a desire to meet shoppers fresh and fast expectations without sacrificing quality, food integrity and profit — all within [...]
Woo Early Morning Shoppers with Front-of-Store Breakfast Stations
No doubt about it, breakfast presents a big opportunity for retailers. Research shows that Americans increasingly consider breakfast to be an essential meal. However, 53% of consumers often skip breakfast, according to digital pollster, Instantly. The main reason is familiar: Consumers just don’t have time to prepare a meal, especially as they’re running out the door for work or school. That’s where the opportunity lies for supermarkets. Serving up convenient, nutritious, portable breakfast foods can meet shoppers’ demand and drive sales at a typically slow part of the day. The key is merchandising for shopper convenience. Here are a few [...]
Paying for Building-Level Energy Projects: PACE Makes It Possible
The AMS Group Solar power, wind power, fuel cells. These and other alternative approaches to producing and using energy still have an air of newness for most people who are not in the energy business. While the technologies themselves are not new, the traction they are gaining in a more mainstream application and adoption is. This, in large part, is because they are becoming easier to pay for. In two previous posts, we covered how food retailers can maintain positive cash flow while paying for energy projects through on-bill financing and even traditional financing. These are great options for energy-efficiency [...]