The time for employing sales-driving fall and winter promotions is now, and Deli Market News is keeping a pulse on the latest merchandising blueprints driving growth for all things specialty. Thomas Santacroce, Director of Deli, Cheese, Foodservice, and Liquor for ShopRite, Fairway, and Gourmet Garage, recently shared some exclusive insights for ensuring seasonal success, which we couldn’t help but share.
“As fall moves into the holidays, we expand our cheese assortment with additional imported and local cheeses. We are also seeing a shift in prepared, ready-to-serve cheese and charcuterie platters, not just for the holidays, but for weekend gatherings,” Thomas says, sharing some insight into the company’s successful merchandising strategies. “We also expand our displays of Italian cheese, fresh mozzarella, and Parmigiano Reggiano. We now carry several different brands of Parmigiano Reggiano, all cut at store level, with 22-month aging, 24-month aging, and white gold available as well.”
As the retailer looks to satisfy fall and winter demand, the company also aims to expand its assortment of ready-to-serve items.
“For example, where Italian dry sausage sold in chubs used to be a great seller, we are now seeing a shift into already sliced domestic and imported cured Italian products/charcuterie,” Thomas explains. “This is easier for the consumer since they don’t have to slice the product when they get home and can simply use it to build their own charcuterie tray.”
Another winning merchandising strategy, as Thomas assures, is creating a tailgate section from September into February. This brings quick and easy snacking and party items together in one place, making it easier for shoppers to find things like dips, hummus, and cocktail franks, as well as ready-to-go party trays and reheatable items like wings and tenders.
“Our variety is a destination for the food lover to help plan any large party, small gathering, or just a delicious treat for themselves, with over 40 imported bulk olives, 600 imported and domestic cheeses cut by our highly trained cheesemongers, and a long list of accompaniments like local honey, imported jams, fresh caviar, fresh coffee beans sourced from around the world, and over 100 freshly made prepared foods to re-heat at home,” Thomas notes. “At Fairway and Gourmet Garage, we are always looking for new and interesting items based on current ingredient trends to be first to market.”
The key to maximizing success across various specialty categories is staying up to date on the latest trends and industry demands, which guides the success of Gourmet Garage’s prepared foods portfolio.
“Our teams of deli and cheese professionals are constantly going through training to stay up to date on new processes, customer service, and trends to serve our customers,” Thomas adds. “In our Gourmet Garage central kitchen, highly trained chefs prepare hundreds of ready-to-heat and eat items. We continue to expand these sets in other stores as consumers are looking for quick solutions for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and convenient snacking items.”
For more insights to guide your latest product launches and merchandising strategies, keep clicking on DMN.
