Monthly Archives: October 2020

Halloween is brewing and we all have candy on the brain. No matter how your customers choose to celebrate this year, each one has a favorite candy they hope will end up in their treat bag. Did you know some of these crave-worthy candies have been part of customers’ dreams for more than 100 years? (Okay, so we don’t know how many centenarians frequent your shop, but you understand, a classic is a classic for a reason).

We know nostalgia sells and nostalgic candies are a great addition to your selection — particularly during Halloween. Today, we’re feeling both nostalgic and patriotic (especially with elections just around the corner) so, we decided to share with you some of our favorite US-invented candies that are Halloween and year-round staples.

Goo Goo Clusters

There’s no denying that Covid has changed how and what food consumers purchase. According to Food manufacturing, 72% of consumers are shopping less often during COVID-19, opting for stocking up. There’s also a move towards online food shopping, with 78.7% of US shoppers purchasing their groceries online, according to Supermarket News. Regardless of how they’re purchasing, online or in stores, and how frequent, we’re seeing two types of consumers emerging — those craving comfort and those drawn towards food’s health benefits.

Knowing and understanding these shifts in cravings can help you to better determine what products to stock and promote. Let’s dive into the types of cravings and what foods consumers desire right now.

Plant-based has gone mainstream, with more than 9.7 million Americans following plant-based diets according to The Beet. In response, restaurants everywhere, including those in country clubs and hotels, are increasing their offerings to stay competitive. But plant-based offerings shouldn’t stop at fine dining. Grab & Go selections are a great venue for packaged plant-based snacks – particularly as these businesses reopen post Covid-19 quarantine.

The plant-based snacks category is growing rapidly, so it seems overwhelming to keep up with the latest offerings. Also, though similar in wants and size, the snacks that might work best for a country club, might not be applicable to a hotel. By understanding the needs of your members and guests and their snacking preferences, you can turn a so-so snack program into a stellar one.

Fizzy, fun and full of flavor, customers can’t resist a good soda. This isn’t just a wishful Fanta-sea. Soft drink revenue is expected to hit $667,384 million in 2020 according to Statista.

Like all other food categories in today’s market, when it comes to soda, consumers are looking for unique flavors, rare finds, and international flare. A soft drink is a refreshing and affordable way to take a plunge into a daring flavor.

Customers’ preferences for specialty and craft sodas can be as particular as wine, so narrowing down your assortment to the best choices can be difficult. Differentiate your business from the competition — transform your team into true “pop” stars by training staff to understand the different soda personalities and their sipping pleasures. To get you started, we break out the top 4 types.