TORONTO—Time-crunched consumers who mostly shop the grocery store’s perimeter may be finding retailers are displaying more packaged foods in the areas traditionally reserved for fresh produce.
It’s being done to ensure the packaged and processed category won’t be missed, explained Christy McMullen, co-owner of Summerhill Market in Toronto, while attending this week’s Grocery Innovations Canada trade show.
It’s why consumers are seeing dressings, vinaigrettes, and croutons displayed near the lettuce, condiments placed near burgers and hot dogs, and crackers stocked by the cheese cooler.
Retailers are also looking for novel ways to draw consumers into their stores. This is especially true of independent retailers, which make up 30 percent of the sector. Some grocers are partnering with well-known chefs to promote their products and entice “foodie” customers.
“You have to look at different ways, whether it’s your product offering, your prepared meals, your customer service or trying to find a new innovative product,” said McMullen, who is on the board of the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers.
At the trade show, vendors were showcasing new products including smoked and jalapeno-infused cheeses, dips lightened with cottage cheese, gluten-free and low-sugar snacks, and dairy-free beverages. Even Fido was not left out, with organic dog treats on the menu.
Greenbelt Microgreens of Gormley, Ont., was displaying some of the approximately 25 microgreens—including wheat grass, red choi, red and green daikon radish, buckwheat, and spring pea—it grows year-round in organic soil in two greenhouses.
“Chefs have typically used microgreens as garnish on top of fancy-type dishes, but we’re promoting microgreens as a full salad complement so you can actually eat it as an entire salad,” said owner Michael Curry.
The microgreens and organic lettuce are being sold in a slew of independent grocery stores and Curry said they were also available in Sobeys as of this week.
McMullen said independent grocery stores and smaller food companies are often a good match.
“Independents are great for new upstart companies because it’s a lot easier getting into stores and we’re a lot more interested in showcasing them, and giving them the shelf space or demos of products.”
