Monthly Archives: October 2019

Charcuterie — aka cured meats, and cheeses, once seen as a high-end European-type meal is gaining popularity in the United States. A 2017 Nielsen survey found that the meat department and deli counter represent a $9 billion industry in the US, with $200 million of that coming from the specialty deli meat segment. The same growth can be seen in cheese. USDA stats show that consumption of cheese in the US has more than doubled from 14.3lbs in 1975 to 36.9lbs in 2017. In fact, according to Packaged Foods, projects that the natural and specialty cheese market will grow to exceed $18 billion by 2023.

The rise in specialty meats and cheese is attributed to customers’ love of the exotic, local, and in the case of meat products, heritage cuts, which are more sustainable. Whether it’s an intimate dinner or a large get-together, customers are looking to create special moments for guests through exceptional and unique food experiences.

A charcuterie board

While those select type-A consumers have already started ticking gifts off their holiday to-do list, the majority of us will wait until the last minute. (We’ve got plenty of time right? Right?!) We’re not simply justifying our procrastination — it’s fact!

A 2018 survey by the National Retail Foundation found that 4 out of 10 consumers plan to start their holiday shopping November 1. Although dragging our heels gives us more time to sip gingerbread lattes and munch on homemade cookies, procrastinating can make the holiday gift hunt even more stressful. You can be the remedy for customers’ holiday stress, while encouraging repeat business.

While it might still be orange and black on your shelves, we know you’re already thinking ahead to the colors of the winter holidays! The National Retailer Federation (NRF) forecasts a positive 2019 holiday season, projecting retail sales during November and December to increase between 3.8% and 4.2% over 2018 to a total of between $727.9 billion and $730.7 billion.

Among the top purchases this holiday season – food and candy. In 2018, NRF estimated that 4 in 10 consumers start shopping on or around November 1st, so make sure you’re prepared with the favorite flavors of Christmas (gingerbread, chocolate chip cookies, anything peppermint), Hanukkah (gelt, kugel, rugelach), and Kwanzaa (anything coconut flavored, sweet potato pie-flavored, or pecan pie-flavored).

Still feeling a little bah humbug? Here are some fun facts to get you in the holiday spirit:

Fall – it’s the only time of year where looking at leaves on trees is a legit pastime, and a lucrative one at that! In 2018, Vermont’s fall foliage visitors contributed $391 million to the state’s tax revenue and New Hampshire reported $318 million in direct travel-generated earnings from fall visitors. While these and the other New England states are known to attract fall foliage fanatics, every state has its own dedicated fall foliage destinations that are popular among tourists.

Looking at leaves makes customers hungry so they’re going to be in search of portable snacks that can come along for the ride. Tap into the foliage fever by creating a candy display full of products mimicking brilliant (and subtle) leaf colors.

Falling in love with the foliage display idea? While there is nothing wrong with the tried and true Halloween color palette, a fall display has much more staying power when you break free of the lime green, orange, black, and purple. We break down