Five major food-to-go developments to watch
Food Futures Insights details cases operators need to be aware of in shaping next opportunities.
A new coffee subscription model, Sainbury's new take on convenience and Q8's new forecourt propositions are some of the major developments operators need to take note as food-to-go evolves.
Food Futures Insights director Gavin Rothwell listed down five key developments in food-to-go for last February:
1. Panera Bread's coffee subscription model in the US
What Food Futures Insights (FFI) touts as its "most innovative" initiative, JAB-owned Panera Bread's US$8.99 monthly subscription is described as a play for breakfast and pre-lunch, with 75% of its sales traditionally happening after 11am.
"And early signs are encouraging, with customers coming for coffee, and staying for food as part of their breakfast mission. Panera has spoken of attachment rates of 70%, clearly helping to drive incremental food sales," Rothwell said.
2. Sainsbury’s food-to-go focused format
Sainsbury’s Local at London’s Mansion House, its new look convenience store format, is said to mark "an important step forward" for the grocery chain in terms of approaching convenience and on-the-move customers.
"An improved layout aids customer navigation and visibility in-store, and the more open look and feel better showcases the range on offer for the customer upon entry to the store. Meanwhile the introduction of Sushi Gourmet to the store, alongside a standard large store style pizza counter, adds more definition and purpose to the concept," Rothwell pointed out.
This is the first of such formats due to open across the UK.
3. Q8 & Delhaize's shop-and-go forecourt format in Belgium
In Belgium, FFI noted the collaboration between Delhaize and Q8 in developing a new type of forecourt proposition. "Freshness lies at the heart, driven by collaborations with the bakery and sandwich chain Panos as well as Foodmaker, the fresh food-to-go specialist that also supplies Delhaize’s Fresh Atelier format and many of its larger stores. The format’s focus on fresh should stand it in good stead," Rothwell explained.
4. Dean & David thriving in salad chain scene
Salad bar chains have thrived across Europe and North America due to the growing focus of healthier eating and personalisation. FFI cites Dean & David as a successful brand in the salad chain scene, having expanded to over 100 sites since being founded in 2007. The chain recently announced its move into France.
5. Jumbo City opening in Utrecht city centre
Jumbo City stores are also standing out for FFI for having a "differentiated focus on celebrating counters and freshness at the heart of a convenience proposition." The agency noted its high hopes for chain's upcoming opening in Utrecht.
"Interestingly this latest store, at 1400 sqm, is larger than the Amsterdam stores, building much more on the foodservice zone principles developed in the larger, and equally impressive Jumbo Foodmarkt stores. Based on experience of the building blocks for this concept, and what we've seen so far, it looks set to have a great future, and flexing the size of the concept will undoubtedly open up new opportunities," Rothwell said.
(Editor's Note: Food Futures Insights founder and director Gavin Rothwell will be talking at our upcoming QSR Media UK Centegra Conference & Awards on April 22 in London. See his presentation at the event - register HERE.)
