• House of Cards: Real Lessons in Advocacy for Food Retailers

    Feb 27, 2015
    House_of_cards_logoThere have been plenty of articles already written about how Capitol Hill does not really operate as depicted in House of Cards, yet there are lessons food retailers can learn from the show about interactions with government that may get lost among the more scandalous and suspenseful scenes.
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  • IdeaXchange: Balancing consumers’ desire for customization with broad appeal

    Feb 26, 2015

    FMI in the newsThe following article ran in the Supermarket News IdeaXChange on February 25, 2015: The empowered consumer is calling for dramatic changes in the food retail environment by demanding, in both subtle and overt ways, increasingly more personalized service. As the food retail industry wades into this changing tide, it can become overwhelming because … well, there are just so many empowered consumers out there and the idea of customization according to each of their wishes, wants and expectations feels implausible. Where does it stop? Do we try to design our stores, the products we carry, the service we offer according to the particular whims of each shopper? Some argue we must; others argue it is impossible and default to continued marketing to the generic middle.

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  • If You Could Read Your Meat Shoppers Minds, What Tales Their Thoughts Would Tell

    Feb 26, 2015
    POM Consumer Considerations FinalWe may not have a device like that from the 1982 movie, Brainstorm, which would enable us to know exactly what consumers are thinking when they stand in front of the meat case trying to make their purchase decision; but we do have the next best thing.  The research piece, Power of Meat -published by the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) and North American Meat Institute (NAMI) allows us a peek into the consumer thought process. 
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  • Power of Meat Breaks Down the Protein Craze

    Feb 25, 2015
    POM Optimizing FinalThe Power of Meat research was presented this week during the annual FMI and North American Meat Institute Meat Conference. During the presentation, Larry Levin, Executive Vice President for Industry Insights IRI commented that protein has graduated from an attribute to a brand. I think he's right, but is it a brand that can be sufficiently claimed by food retailers? 
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  • Meat aisle through the shoppers’ eyes

    Feb 24, 2015
    Power of Meat 2015 Report Top FindingsFor the tenth year, the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) and North American Meat Institute (NAMI) have teamed up for the Power of Meat study. This new research looks at the meat aisle from the consumer’s point of view and highlights several trends in the way consumers are changing their purchasing behavior.
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  • Out-of-Stocks: 3 Strikes You’re Out

    Feb 23, 2015
    Out of Stock ReportIn this consumer-driven landscape many business imperatives remain, but the struggle around on-shelf availability is more than just a revenue problem. With our trading partners at the Grocery Manufacturers Association, FMI recently commissioned a study conducted by JDA Software that shows a disturbing three-strikes-and-you’re-out pattern when it comes to customer loyalty.
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  • Sustainable Sourcing to Innovate and Better Communicate Your Private Brand

    Feb 19, 2015
    Private Brands Sustainable SourcingIf you are just beginning the journey in sustainable sourcing, branding and product development or are still considering if it even makes sense for your private brand, there are some things you should know and contemplate as you explore the idea.
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