Non-Traditional Protein Options Gain Steam in the Meat Department: Retail Meat Review
Meat is also found in meal kits designed to make shopping and cooking dinner simpler.
“In 2018, we found that households that purchase meal kits have risen to 12 percent, up from 9 percent in 2017,” Nelson observes. “In produce, over 5 percent of packaged salads contain meat and saw 1.9 percent growth in units last year. As options proliferate as retailers and suppliers work to provide convenience and new solutions for consumers, cross-department understanding is critical.”
Ups and Downs
More than 40 percent of retailers responding to Progressive Grocer’s survey said that their meat sales increased in the past year. Twenty-seven percent reported a decrease in meat department sales, while 31 percent said that sales were consistent with the prior year.
Business of Service
An overwhelming number of survey respondents – more than 80 percent – reported employing butchers in their stores. Indeed, amid stiff competition for consumers’ grocery dollars, retailers are promoting full-service meat departments as a point of differentiation, as well as pride.
“We custom cut anything they want, and can tell them how to cook it,” Orlando asserts. “I also follow up with them for special cuts, after the sale. We are old-fashioned in our service, for sure.”
The meat department can and should be a key point of engagement with shoppers to demonstrate a retailer’s prowess in delivering solutions and advice for any meal occasion.
- Methodology
Progressive Grocer’s Retail Meat Review survey was fielded online by EIQ Research Solutions in November and December 2018 to supermarket retailers involved in the meat/seafood category. A total of 52 responses are included in these results, split between operators of fewer than 75 stores, and 75 or more stores. By title, 40 percent are category managers, merchandisers or buyers; 27 percent are from the c-suite; and 4 percent are store managers, with the remainder serving in various capacities, including marketing, consulting and analysis. Among the respondents, meat represents up to a quarter of their total sales.