Specialty Cheese = Total Store Connectivity: IDDBA

The correlation between specialty cheese and other store items portends promising opportunities for food retailers to increase sales across the store, according to a new research study by the International Dairy-Deli-Bakery Association (IDDBA).

Developed in conjunction with Nielsen Perishables Group, highlights of the "Total Store Connectivity: Revealing New Pathways to Win - Specialty Cheese" research, finds:

• Specialty cheese has become a key player within the deli space, representing roughly 12 percent of total deli sales and ranking as one of the top 10 fastest growing categories within deli.
• Consumers who purchase specialty cheese have nearly double the basket size of the average shopper.
• Specialty cheese strongly connects to 83 store categories, which represent around 25 percent of total store sales and spans across 50 percent of store departments.
• Specialty cheese connects well with categories like:
• Fresh, home cooking occasions (produce spices, beef steak, and salmon)
• Entertaining occasions (bakery breads, deli dips, and snacks)
• Indulgent bakery occasions (cakes, cookies, and sweet goods)

“IDDBA is committed to providing members with the industry’s most cutting-edge and unique research to help them run their stores and businesses more successfully,” said Alan Hiebert, IDDBA senior education coordinator. “It’s one of the many values of joining the leading association representing the dairy, deli, bakery, cheese, and foodservice industries.”

"Total Store Connectivity: Revealing New Pathways to Win – Specialty Cheese" is the latest member research report developed by IDDBA. Other recent research includes: "The High Stakes of Food Safety in Dairy, Deli, Bakery, & Prepared Foods"; and "Engaging the Evolving Shopper: Serving the New American Appetite." Upcoming research includes: "Digital Merchandising for Deli and Bakery"; "Building Better Snacks"; and "Culinary Concierge: Engaging Millennials Through Meals." 

IDDBA members have access to all association research at www.iddba.org.