Retailer Meal Solutions (RMS) Monitor

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.

Consumer Shifts in Food Spending

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:

restaurant-quality hot foods
chilled options for reheating at home
new convenience products designed to make meal preparation easier (e.g., seasoned and marinated proteins, pizza dough, fresh pastas and sauces)
premium baked goods
ongoing improvements in frozen foods

Retailer Meal Solutions Defined

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:

Sandwiches/wraps
Prepared entrees
Bakery products
Soup
Value-added meat
Prepared salads
Pasta

Spreads
Appetizers
Sauces
Dips
Sweet goods
Pizza

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.

Retailers Monitored

RMS Monitor is also 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

RMS Monitor Deliverables

Monthly reporting, including news and commentary, on products and services, expansion and remodeling, "hot" concepts and noteworthy trends. Each issue also includes an in-depth profile of a best-in-class retailer.
Quarterly special reports provide exclusive new and original RMS research, with topics chosen by sponsors. Past reports have examined:

Consumer attitudes about different retail venues
In-depth analysis of shopping behaviors, based on "shop-alongs" with diverse consumer groups
Recent trends in nearly 20 product categories

Request sample issue and additional details on quarterly RMS reports.