OMAHA, Neb., Dec. 8, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Phil Lempert, the Supermarket Guru®, works
closely with ConAgra Foods and its retailers to analyze and
forecast trends in the food industry. Over the past two years, nine
of Lempert's 10 annual predictions came true. What's in store for
2011?
"The updated USDA dietary guidelines – in conjunction with
technological advancements and the First Lady's 'Let's Move'
program – will mark 2011 as the year that empowered Americans to
make permanent, positive changes in their diets," according to
Lempert. "Finally, people will stop lasering in on single nutrients
and begin approaching food holistically. As shoppers circle the
aisles seeking foods rich in substance, vitamins and minerals, the
brands that communicate clearly and genuinely will be poised for
success."
Lempert has compiled his observations into six trends that
Americans can expect to see in 2011:
- Big Appetite for Apps: Value and convenience continue to
top shoppers' lists, so in the New Year, consumers will utilize
mobile food applications at every point in the grocery store.
Instant messages boasting specials will target shoppers' likes and
dislikes and offer savings. In the aisles, a scan of an item's bar
code will provide detailed information to inform purchasing
decisions, and at the checkout, mobile devices will "talk" to the
self-checkout and download coupons, frequent shopper bonuses and
deduct the total bill from the shopper's checking account. Also,
the next generation of restaurant apps will allow visitors to
pre-order from the menu.
- Clear Claims: 2010's efforts to slim labels will
continue as brands' ingredient statements shrink in length and
feature simplified language. In response to shoppers' hunger for
food information with substance, the look of the produce department
will change dramatically as supermarkets add stickers directly onto
pieces of produce to highlight the meaningful vitamins, minerals
and fiber contained within.
- D-licious: Driven by research emphasizing vitamin D
deficiencies in Americans, look for naturally occurring vitamin D
to be touted everywhere, stressing convenient sources of the
important nutrient. This will be especially prevalent in the dairy
aisle as milk gears up for a big comeback. When it comes to milk,
this time around it's all about "white," as flavored, colored and
sweet varieties make their way out.
- Shift from Local to Regional: As consumers and retailers
begin to understand that it is impossible to have all food produced
within 100 miles of where they live, look for regional to
emerge based on the tastes and culture of the areas where they're
sold.
- Big Easy Seafood: As the Gulf repairs itself, anticipate
a spiritual and economic rally to support New Orleans and the region's seafood.
Retailers will create major themed promotional events that extend
well beyond Mardi Gras to position
the Gulf Region as the new epicenter for food.
- 'Free Sample' Makeover: As the impact of the economy,
rise of store brands and cost of R&D converge on bottom lines,
brands will solicit meaningful customer input in an effort to offer
great value while controlling new product failure rates. Companies
will sample truly innovative products in stores before they hit the
shelves as brands prepare to battle it out for shopper
dollars.
For more information about Phil
Lempert's predictions, visit supermarketguru.com.
ConAgra Foods, Inc., (NYSE: CAG) is one of North America's leading food companies, with
brands in 97 percent of America's households. Consumers find
Banquet, Chef Boyardee, Egg Beaters, Healthy Choice, Hebrew
National, Hunt's, Marie Callender's,
Orville Redenbacher's, PAM, Peter
Pan, Reddi-wip, Slim Jim, Snack Pack and many ConAgra Foods
brands in grocery, convenience, mass merchandise and club stores.
ConAgra Foods also has a strong business-to-business presence,
supplying frozen potato and sweet potato products as well as other
vegetable, spice and grain products to a variety of well-known
restaurants, foodservice operators and commercial customers. For
more information, please visit us at www.conagrafoods.com.
SOURCE ConAgra Foods, Inc.