Deli / Prepared Foods

NAPLES, N.Y. -- This was a year of transition for many packaged goods marketers, paving the way for an extremely active year for new products in 2006, according to global business information provider Datamonitor. New packaged goods rollouts in the United States are up 6.5 percent from last year, though Oct. 31, 2005, as the end of low-carbmania has allowed other health-and-wellness-related trends to take hold.

AUSTIN, Texas -- The number of Americans who've tried organic foods has jumped to 65 percent in 2005, compared to 54 percent in 2003 and 2004, and a quarter of 1,000 people responding to a survey said they're consuming organics more than they did a year ago, said Whole Foods Market here.

Progressive Grocer asked a panel of experts to assess the current state of category management and suggest how it could be improved. Their answers point the way to the next step in the practice's evolution.

CHICAGO --It looks like consumers are demanding even more robust convenience-based products than ever, with attributes such as better nutritional benefits, according to a study released yesterday by Information Resources, Inc. (IRI).

Exclusive-brand programs in fresh categories are paying off for retailers that have a clear, premium point of difference -- but they've got to hit the mark.

CHANDLER, Ariz. -- To celebrate the upcoming grand opening of its latest Bashas¿ unit here, family-owned regional supermarket chain Bashas' is holding two free events next week -- a sneak preview of the new store and indoor trick-or-treating.

The participants in a recent PG executive roundtable filled up on helpful information about running a successful gasoline business.

CHICAGO -- With gasoline costs soaring and projected to only rise higher, the average U.S. consumer is reconsidering purchasing decisions. So far, some of them are purchasing more CPG products, which bodes well for grocers.