Laurens D'Hoore’s Post

A lot has been written over the last few months about #Lidl’s growth vs the market and especially against #Aldi. It is now 13 #Kantar periods in a row where Lidl has outperformed Aldi, and by quite a large margin. As with all success it is never down to one single thing but an accumulation of positive actions. These are my thoughts from some recent store visits to Lidl. #Special Features, their execution of weekly events is amazing. A recent one on products from Iberia was exceptional, not only the range of products, but also in merchandising. They ran it across #ambient, #chilled and #frozen. The range is often curated by Lidl offices in other countries so providing great local insight to products and suppliers. This drives interest and excitement for consumers and leads to unexpected sales. I walked out with a bag of frozen sardines. A small but interesting range of frozen foods for #Halloween including Chicken Nuggets (60% chicken). Mini Doughnuts, Fish Nuggets and a Macron Kit all aimed at the kids. They even have  black coated Chicken Nuggets and Churros both with dips, not sure about these though! A range of Emily in Paris desserts, a great idea tapping into a highly successful #Netflix TV show. Better instore merchandising especially on chilled products. Both Aldi and Lidl use #SRP but in Lidl they seem to use it more #effectively. A good example is chilled pizza with Lidl blocking the range so that the SRP is impactful, whilst Aldi seem to scatter the pizzas with other products that reduces the impact and ease of shop for #consumers. All these actions encourage consumers to buy and creates excitement all with the Lidl #value proposition. Christmas is a key trading time and it will be interesting to see if Aldi can improve thier trading in the next few weeks. #retailinsight #privatelabel #discount

What does ‘limited edition’ actually mean? I’ve found myself in Coles a few times this past week (we’re usually team Aldi) and discovered these “limited edition candy cane chupa chups”. Now, I love Christmas, arguably a lot more than the next person, so the reasons these are already on shelves is not lost on me. In fact the creeping of Christmas earlier in retail stores is something Dr Jason Pallant and I have researched and spoken about a lot. But, if these are out now (late September/early October) and presumably at least until Christmas, is that really ‘limited’!? It’s a quarter of the year! Overlaying the recent ACCC inquiry into Coles and Woolworths using misleading pricing tactics, got me thinking about how often are consumers misled by loosely applied definitions like this? Is a product sold for 3 months of a year really “limited”? Or do we need different terms for these seasonal releases?

🥐🍜🍒 Foodie Tuesdays: The Grocer Awards Edition The ECJ team is excited to share our favourite brands that received a Grocer Awards this year: 🚀 MOTH Drinks - B Corp™: Making waves in the RTD market MOTH's tinned cocktails are revolutionising the RTD scene. Crafted with award-winning spirits, MOTH now dominates 70% of the ‘super-premium’ RTD market and 73% of UK grocery margarita sales. In 2023, sales soared to nearly £9M, with availability in 3,500 outlets including Waitrose, Sainsbury's, Tesco, and Morrisons. A can is sold every 10 seconds in the UK. 🥒 VADASZ DELI LTD: Creating a new superfood category, Vadasz's kimchi, fresh pickles, and ferments have come a long way from humble beginnings. Inspired by family tradition, Nick Vadasz launched Vadasz Deli in 2009. The homemade pickles quickly became a standout, evolving into a leading superfood brand. 🌽 LOVE CORN: Snack Disruptor Love Corn impressed the judges with its crunchy corn. This year, their lunchbox-friendly multipack tripled Tesco distribution and added Sainsbury’s, Co-op, WH Smith, and Ocado. Their clever branding and partnerships have led to skyrocketing sales and expansion into the US market with 12,000+ points of sale. 🛍️ Tesco: Supermarket of the year, Tesco celebrates a decade as Britain’s top supermarket, excelling in convenience, promotions, technology, assortment, availability, and overall shopping experience. With 19% naming Tesco their favourite and 65% showing definite interest in shopping there, Tesco also led as the favourite online supermarket with 25% of the vote. Who were your favourite Grocer Award-winning brands this year? Let us know in the comments. 🍽️ #FoodieTuesday #FoodNews #FoodandDrink #FoodTrends #TheGrocer #GrocerAwards24 #GrocerAwards

It's All About Private Label.... Day 1 coverage from #GroceryShop Supermarket News caught my eye with headline"It's all about private label" in which CEO Ahold Delhaize Frans Muller highlights that private label sales currently make up some 30% of all retail sales. Great shout out to Ahold Delhaize Walgreens Albertsons Companies https://bit.ly/4dGiX3s The Own Brand ecosystem consisting of retailers (including their own brand, sourcing and product innovation teams along with the supplier and co-manufacturing community will come together during the ECRM Own Brand Week April 7-10, 2025 in Rosemont, IL. Great coverage across food, snacks, beverage, fresh, health, beauty & personal care will all be in the house. Aligning retailer needs with supplier capabilites in the most efficient manner is front and center at all ECRM programs (now all in person) to bring efficiency, scale and quality to your buyer-sellet engagements. Food & Beverage https://lnkd.in/eyTxX9D4 Health, Beauty, Personal Care https://lnkd.in/en_xHpFr #ownbrand #privatelabel #sourcing #innovation #productdevelopment #comanufacturing

"Grocers that once stocked a limited range of instant coffee now dedicate entire aisles to a variety of premium coffee, from single origin to Fairtrade blends" - Jeffrey Long joins fellow industry leaders in #ShelfLife’s 30th anniversary edition. Over the past 30 years, we've seen a remarkable transformation in the coffee industry — from the rise of café culture to the expansion of premium coffee offerings in grocery stores. Read the full article here for valuable insights on the major shifts in Ireland’s grocery landscape over the last three decades: https://lnkd.in/easmRuJ2

The article "Grab and Go: 5 retailers making surprising investments in food-to-go" highlights how unexpected retailers are tapping into the growing £23.4bn food-to-go market, traditionally dominated by supermarkets and sandwich chains. Key examples include luxury department store Fortnum & Mason launching its first café counter for hot drinks and pastries, and health retailer Holland & Barrett introducing wellness-themed takeaway drinks. Additionally, Hotel Chocolat, WHSmith, and Ralph Lauren have expanded into the food-to-go space, offering various café and snack options to cater to evolving customer needs. I find this story is interesting because it shows how retailers typically not associated with food-to-go are adapting their offers based on consumer insights. By observing shifts in customer preferences, these brands are finding new revenue streams and opportunities to enhance the customer experience. This aligns with the type of insights that Retail Savvy helps clients to understand and act on—how adapting to changing consumer behaviours can lead to innovation and growth. Our research provides deep insights that help businesses establish what is most important to their customers. We help them make business-critical decisions based on sound customer insights. Welcome to Retail Savvy Research Consultancy, your go-to for retail, hospitality & leisure insights! We would love to talk to you. Why don't you drop us a line at simon@retail-savvy.com Please visit our website for more details about us and client testimonials at https://lnkd.in/dtd82GQ Or follow us on LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/etXuWN48 #RetailSavvy #SavvyInsights #CustomerInsights #BusinessDecisions #Researchconsultancy #grabandgo #foodtogo

This week in retail…   ✅ Twinings launches its new Fruit Coolers range, catering to the growing consumer interest in iced and cold tea infusions, following reports that 32% of UK consumers have consumed iced or cold teas in the past year, The Grocer. https://shorturl.at/NicNz   ✅ Following in the footsteps of Clarks and Marks and Spencer, Primark is freezing their back-to-school essentials range, helping to ease the financial pressures on families during this time of year, says Retail Times. https://shorturl.at/1qIO9   ✅ Aldi UK goes for gold, reportedly selling the most free-range eggs of any UK supermarket reports The Grocer https://shorturl.at/2jKiM   ✅ Expanding its ongoing partnership with Just Eat Takeaway.com, Retail Gazette highlights that Morrisons has greenlighted the option for customers to have groceries delivered straight to their door. https://shorturl.at/yl3dK   ✅ Retail Week reports that Iceland Foods customers are loving the £1 value range at stores, as in-store energy bills fall. https://shorturl.at/1DaJm   ✅ Talking Retail says more consumers are enjoying watching sports events from home as consumers shift towards the ‘big night in’ experience, according to retail analysis. https://shorturl.at/BBwFy   ✅ Our very own Dahlia Stroud shares how suppliers and retailers should be taking advantage of a golden opportunity this summer sporting season. Read more in Grocery Trader 👉https://shorturl.at/3320a In other news, while we've finally enjoyed some summer sunshine this week, retailers are already thinking ahead to their selling strategies for the festive season. Did you know that TikTok is quickly becoming one of the biggest marketplaces in the UK? This trend has even sparked the term "Merry Clickmas" asserting the platform's growing influence on the annual Christmas shop. https://shorturl.at/o90qx   #FMCG #WeeklyRoundup #RetailNews

Personalisation is the name of the game. "Personalisation can take on many forms. From the way in which your products are packaged and presented, to the experiences you can evoke in-store” Read the newest edition of Speciality Food magazine where Eve Reid dives deeper into the important world of personalisation and packaging📦 #WBC #Packaging #Personalisation #PersonalisedPackaging #Christmas

By 2024, the food service industry is expected to reach over $1 trillion in sales, creating 200,000 new jobs. This change is due to tech innovations and sustained dining demand. Food and grocery is projected to grow as well, based on shifts towards convenience and tech, while apparel is predicted to show modest growth based on sustainability and digital commerce. Click here to read more about projected retail trends and how Siegel Solutions can keep you on track with the ever-changing market. https://bit.ly/4dyI2i2 #SiegelSolutions #QuickBooksSolutionProvider #RetailTrends #2024RetailRevolution #RetailIndustry #FoodServiceIndustry

Let me preface this post by saying, I am writing this as a convenience store I visit frequently has been out of stock on a specific beverage brand for 6 days. They received 2 deliveries from the distributor in this time frame. I have to go an extra a couple miles and shop another store due to this. Let me also say customer service at the other store is not great but they are in stock. 🌟 **The Beverage Category: A Retailer's Secret Weapon!** 🌟 As we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of retail, one category remains consistently vital to our success: beverages. 🥤🍷 From refreshing soft drinks to premium wines, the beverage aisle is not just a shelf-filler; it’s a powerhouse that drives foot traffic, enhances customer experience, and boosts overall sales. Here’s why staying in stock is essential: 1. **Consumer Demand**: The beverage category is often the first stop for shoppers. Whether it’s grabbing a quick drink or planning for a weekend gathering, consumers expect variety and availability. Missing out on popular items can lead to lost sales and frustrated customers. 2. **Brand Loyalty**: Consistency is key! When customers find their favorite beverages in stock, it fosters trust and loyalty. They’re more likely to return to a retailer that meets their needs consistently. 3. **Impulse Purchases**: Beverages are often impulse buys. A well-stocked beverage section can encourage customers to add items to their cart they hadn’t planned on purchasing, thus increasing average transaction value. 4. **Seasonal Opportunities**: From summer refreshers to holiday favorites, the beverage category offers unique seasonal opportunities. Being prepared and well-stocked allows retailers to capitalize on these trends and drive sales. 5. **Competitive Edge**: In today’s competitive market, being the go-to destination for beverages can set you apart. A well-curated selection that is always in stock can differentiate your brand and attract new customers. In conclusion, let’s prioritize our beverage inventory strategy! 🚀 By ensuring we’re consistently stocked with a diverse range of products, we not only meet customer expectations but also pave the way for sustained growth and success. Cheers to making smarter retail choices! 🥂 #RetailStrategy #BeverageCategory #StockManagement #CustomerExperience #BusinessGrowth