You already know that retailer meal solutions present an important and growing opportunity for foodservice manufacturers and retail operators—and a competitive threat to restaurants. But how do you stay on top of emerging developments, so you'll be able to quickly recognize and respond to them?
Technomic's RMS Monitor service greatly simplifies and streamlines this process by delivering precisely the information you need directly to your e-mail inbox, including new product and service launches, "hot" concepts, in-depth retailer profiles, and emerging trends related to menus, concepts and consumers.
Consumers in all income brackets are exhibiting a new frugality. As they try to manage their budgets more carefully, many have cut back on affordable luxuries like restaurant meals and are seeking out "new" alternatives.
People are doing more grocery shopping and likely discovering a host of new and appealing alternatives to cooking from scratch:
What types of products and categories are included in our reporting? Technomic defines retailer meal solutions (also known as prepared foods) as products found in a retail store where consumers are able to pick up ready-to-eat or ready-to-heat foods (from both service counters and self-service/grab-and-go areas).
Key categories tracked include, but are not limited to:
Hot and cold dispensed beverages and refrigerated products also fall under Technomic's definition of retailer meal solutions. While frozen prepared foods are not included in the strict definition of RMS, noteworthy developments in this area are covered in RMS Monitor because some of these (and other packaged products) do represent a potential competitive threat.
RMS Monitor is distinctive in that it covers all segments with potential RMS opportunities, both traditional and non-traditional retailers.
Venue |
Examples |
|---|---|
| Traditional Supermarkets | Safeway, Kroger, Publix, Stop & Shop |
| Upscale Supermarkets | Bristol Farms, Draeger's Markets |
| Natural/Organic Supermarkets | Whole Foods |
| Other Specialty Food Stores | Trader Joe's, Dean & Deluca, Fox & Obel |
| Mass-Merchandisers | Walmart, Target, Meijer |
| C-Stores | 7-Eleven, Sheetz, The Fresh Store |
| Warehouse/Club Stores | Costco, Sam's Club, BJ's, Smart & Final |
| Meal Assembly Concepts | Dream Dinners, Super Suppers |
| Nutrition/Diet-Control Delivery Specialists | NutriSystem, Seattle Sutton |
| Meal Delivery Specialists | FreshDirect, DineWise |
| Hispanic-Focused Supermarkets | Pro's Ranch, Fiesta |
The RMS Monitor includes two primary deliverables:
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