In this issue

It’s that time of year again when the festive season comes marching upon us. The period has traditionally enjoyed a very strong and deep connection with the culture of gifting. For retailers and brands, the season is marked by a huge surge in demand for food products that offer a mark of exclusivity and uniqueness when it comes to gifting.

In fact, the gifting theme has now permeated across all food categories. Read our Festive Gifting story (pages 38-43) on how retailers and brands come out with unique and innovative gift packs and gift hampers and valuefor- money products that are beautifully packaged to meet diverse choices for family and corporate gifting.

Our cover story in this issue (pages 24-34) shines the spotlight on north- Maharashtra’s oldest and most emblematic food and grocery retailer. Jalgaon-based Navjeevan chain of stores has been in the business for over 75 years now, starting off as a modest 25 sq.ft. store in 1946. It transitionedto being a modern supermarket in 1993 at a time when the modern trade concept was a novelty even in the bigger cities like Mumbai and Pune. Today, the chain has nine stores under the Navjeevan banner, with 26,000 sq.ft. of retailing area and Rs. 110 crore of annual revenue.

Gurgaon's First and Most Successful Independent F&G Retailer

SINCE LAUNCHING ITS FIRST OUTLET IN THE YEAR 2000 IN DLF GURGAON AT A TIME WHEN MODERN TRADE FOOD AND GROCERY STORES WERE NOWHERE ON THE RETAIL HORIZONS OF THE MILLENNIUM CITY, NEEDS SUPERMARKET HAS GROWN TO ADD 26 LARGE, MEDIUM AND SMALL STORES TO ITS KITTY, CLOCKING AN ADMIRABLE RUN RATE ON VARIOUS PARAMETERS OF RETAILING EXCELLENCE ALONG THE WAY. PROGRESSIVE GROCER SPOKE TO NEEDS SUPERMARKET’S MD AJAY DHAR, AND CEO, ARUN KHATTAR, ABOUT HOW THE GROCERY CHAIN HAS BEEN ABLE TO HOLD ITS OWN AND CLOCK STEADY GROWTH IN A HYPER-COMPETITIVE MARKET DOTTED WITH BIG-BOX NATIONAL RETAILERS AND THE SECRET SAUCE BEHIND ITS SUCCESS RECIPE.

10+ mins

Paras Spices is innovating with unique products to meet new trends in the spices category

CATEGORY WATCH FOOD STAPLES

5 mins

Brands and retailers collaborate to promote the growth of non-alcoholic beverages

SUPER-HERB INFUSED BEVERAGES THAT BRING THE POWER-PACKED GOODNESS OF SUPERFRUITS ARE TAKING THE MARKET BY STORM. THESE NONALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES CLAIM TO CONTAIN ZERO CALORIES, ZERO SUGAR, ZERO ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS, AND ZERO PRESERVATIVES AND ARE DESIGNED FOR TODAY’S MILLENNIAL-GEN WHO ARE SEEKING A HEALTHY DRINK WITH A TASTY TWIST.

3 mins

Just Outside the Box

THE HUMBLE PARKING LOT HAS BECOME A DIFFERENT KIND OF RETAIL DESTINATION AND HUB OF COMMERCE.

6 mins

Increased Focus on Health, Wellness, and Immunity-boosting Products

SALES OF PACKAGED FOODS HAVE SURGED SINCE THE ONSET OF THE PANDEMIC, AS HOME-BOUND CONSUMERS STOCKPILE FAMILIAR PRODUCTS THAT WON’T GO STALE QUICKLY. BREAKFAST CEREALS, INSTANT NOODLES, RICE AND COOKING FATS ARE AMONG THE PRODUCTS THAT HAVE SEEN THE STRONGEST GROWTH IN RECENT MONTHS.

3 mins

Consumer focus on hygiene & nutrition boosts packaged paneer sales

THE DEMAND FOR CATEGORIES SUCH AS CHEESE AND PANEER HAS WITNESSED AN ALL-TIME NEW HIGH DURING THIS PANDEMIC THANKS TO THE VERSATILE NATURE OF THESE PRODUCTS. NOT ONLY IS PANEER DELICIOUS TO TASTE BUT DURING THE HEIGHT OF THE LOCKDOWN, THE INTERNET WAS TRENDING WITH UNIQUE, FUN AND EASY-TO-MAKE PANEER RECIPES.

3 mins

How Hormel Became a Snack Company

ACQUISITIONS, ADJACENCIES AND INNOVATION DEFINE THE GLOBAL BRANDED FOOD COMPANY’S GROWTH STRATEGY

10+ mins

The New Normal for Snacks

THE POST-PANDEMIC CONSUMER WILL DEMAND BETTER-FOR-YOU MEAL SOLUTIONS MORE THAN EVER BEFORE.

6 mins

The rise of superfoods and ways to mainstream them on retail shelves

WHAT ARE SUPERFOODS AND THEIR BENEFITS AND WHY THESE PRODUCTS ARE WITNESSING A HUGE SURGE IN DEMAND? WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES OF INFUSING THESE SUPERFOODS INTO OUR TRADITIONAL FOOD PRODUCTS, AND HOW CAN THEIR VISIBILITY AND AWARENESS BE RAMPED UP IN ON-GROUND SHELVES OF SUPERMARKETS AND RETAIL COUNTERS?

8 mins

What is driving consumers to become more conscious of what they eat?

WITH CONSUMERS BECOMING MORE HEALTH-CONSCIOUS, RETAILERS HAVE ALSO STARTED MAKING SHIFTS IN THEIR OWN MERCHANDISING AND MARKETING TO KEEP UP WITH THE TREND.

3 mins

“We aim to open 100 stores this year and be one of the largest chains for fitness supplements & nutrition products”

PRAVEEN CHIRANIA, FOUNDER, MUSCLE & STRENGTH INDIA, SPOKE TO PROGRESSIVE GROCER ON HOW THE RETAIL CHAIN IS ON A MISSION TO MAKE HEALTH AND NUTRITION MAINSTREAM AND BRING BEST-IN-CLASS PRODUCTS ACROSS CATEGORIES SUCH AS PROTEINS, VITAMINS, MINERALS AND HERBAL SUPPLEMENTS MANUFACTURED BY INTERNATIONAL FITNESS BRANDS TO CUSTOMERS IN INDIA.

8 mins

Good-for-you food products have seen rising demand over the past year

BRANDS THAT HAVE ALREADY BENEFITED FROM PANDEMIC TRENDS WILL CONTINUE TO SEE POTENTIAL OPPORTUNITIES IN THEIR PRODUCT CATEGORIES. BUT BOTH RETAILERS AND MANUFACTURERS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO “RESET” WHAT VALUE MEANS TO CONSUMERS AND HOW THEY ARE BEST PLACED TO MEET THE NEW NEEDS MOVING FORWARD.

6 mins

A Scary Big Halloween

AS AMERICA REOPENS, THIS FALL COULD BE THE BIGGEST EVER FOR CANDY AND SNACK SALES.

5 mins

Healthy Eating Convenience

HELP SHOPPERS DITCH PANDEMIC-DRIVEN EATING HABITS AND ADOPT A MORE NUTRITIOUS DIET.

2 mins

Do you know where your baby's food comes from?

FOOD TRACEABILITY AND ITS IMPORTANCE WHEN IT COMES TO INFANT AND BABY FOOD PRODUCTS.

4 mins

GROCERY OUTLET GATHERS MOMENTUM

A unique approach to ownership, entrepreneurship and retail operations has the retailer on track to surpass 400 locations during its 75th anniversary year.

10 mins

Resolving Supply chain problems to strengthen the roots of Indian agriculture

MORE THAN OTHER SECTORS, AGRICULTURE DEPENDS ON A FUNCTIONAL LOGISTICS SYSTEM. WITHOUT A ROBUST AND EFFICIENT SUPPLY CHAIN, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO IMAGINE FRESH AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE ON THE SHELVES OF GROCERY STORES.

4 mins

Phygital24: Creating digital solutions to boost revenue, business efficiencies and customer experience for retailers

PHYGITAL24’S SYSTEM IS A TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED SUBSCRIPTION-BASED DIGITAL ORDERING SOLUTION THAT HELPS BUSINESSES TO OFFER ONLINE ORDERING DIRECTLY FROM THEIR WEBSITES AND MOBILE APPLICATIONS, THUS HELPING RETAILERS TO INCREASE REVENUES AND UNLOCK SIGNIFICANT VALUE FOR THEIR PHYSICAL STORES.

2 mins

Wildermart: Bangalore-based online store offers solutions to make everyday consumption clean and green.

WILDERMART, WHICH BILLS ITSELF AS A CLEAN GROCERY STORE, WAS LAUNCHED IN BANGALORE RECENTLY BY MANEKA SANJAY GANDHI, MEMBER OF THE LOK SABHA, ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVIST AND ENVIRONMENTALIST - WHO ALSO BECAME THE FIRST BUYER ON THE PORTAL. “THE BEST WAY TO PRESERVE THE EARTH IS WITH YOUR POCKET. BUY LESS, BUT WHATEVER YOU BUY, MAKE IT ORGANIC, CHEMICAL FREE, PLASTIC FREE AND GOOD FOR THE EARTH,” SHE SAID AT THE LAUNCH. THE ONLINE GROCERY STORE IS BUILT ON A SUSTAINABLE MODEL UNDER WHICH IT OFFERS A CONSCIOUS SOLUTION TO MAKE EVERYDAY CONSUMPTION BE CLEAN, GREEN AND EARTH FRIENDLY. THE OFFERINGS INCLUDE OVER 1000+ PRODUCTS ACROSS 30+ CATEGORIES. PROGRESSIVE GROCER SPOKE TO WILDERMART’S SWAROOP MOHAN, MD AND SHWETA THAKUR, CEO, ABOUT HOW THEIR ONLINE RETAIL STORE BRINGS THE CONVENIENCE OF BETTER-QUALITY PRODUCTS THAT ARE GOOD FOR HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT AND SEEKS TO PROVIDE A WHOLISTIC SOLUTION FOR ENCOURAGING A BETTER, CLEANER CONSUMPTION.

10 mins

How Technology Is Helping Deliver Farm Fresh Cow Products To Your Doorstep

Advancement in technology has led to the improvement of several processes in the dairy farming industry, which have transformed the sector, consequently yielding superior quality products.

3 mins

The Future Of Plant-Based Beverages

Technological innovation, in addition to increased investments and partnerships, is helping to scale up the availability and accessibility of plant-based beverages.

4 mins

Best Practices in Produce Presentation

TIME-TESTED STRATEGIES REMAIN IN EFFECT, WHILE PRESSURES CHALLENGE EXECUTION.

7 mins

How candies, chocolates, coffee, chips and packaged food are able to retain the taste for a longer period of time

TO MANAGE THE GROWTH FUELLED BY CONSUMER DEMAND FOR PACKAGED, READY TO EAT, HASSLEFREE FOOD, MANUFACTURERS ARE QUICKLY ADOPTING MODERN ENVIRONMENT CONTROL SOLUTIONS THAT ARE USED AT VARIOUS STEPS OF FOOD PRODUCTION - ALL THE WAY UP THE VALUE CHAIN LEADING UPTO PACKAGING AND STORAGE.

4 mins

Lighting Up the Frozen Foods Category

RIDING ON THE BACK OF AN IMPRESSIVE DOUBLE-DIGIT GROWTH IN RECENT YEARS, THE FROZEN FOODS MARKET IN INDIA IS CERTAIN TO IMPROVE ON ITS ABOVE 15% PACE OF CAGR GROWTH IN THE FUTURE AS WELL. THE EXPANSION IN RETAIL SPACE, CHANGES IN OUR LIFESTYLE AND WORK ENVIRONMENT, AND MORE ECLECTIC FOOD HABITS ARE PUSHING THE ACCEPTANCE AND DEMAND FOR FROZEN FOODS.

10+ mins

Packaged food staples see perky sales and demand

AS COVID-19 CONTINUES TO RAGE IN MANY PARTS OF THE WORLD, CONSUMER BEHAVIOUR HAS UNDERGONE A MAJOR CHANGE: SHOPPERS HAVE BECOME MORE WILLING TO SPEND IN THE NAME OF VALUE, HEALTH, AND CONVENIENCE BESIDES ALSO STOCKPILING SPECIFIC STAPLES AND ESSENTIALS, OUT-OF-HOME/ON-THE-GO SNACKS, CONFECTIONERY, AND BEVERAGES.

6 mins

Taking the Pulse of America's Grocery Workers

Taking the Pulse of America’s Grocery Workers A NEW SURVEY HIGHLIGHTS OPPORTUNITIES FOR RETAILERS TO IMPROVE TRAINING PROGRAMS.

4 mins

Milky Mist dairy products meet the nutritional requirements of all age groups

THE COMPANY AND ITS PRODUCTS HAVE CREATED SEVERAL EXEMPLARY BENCHMARKS IN THE DAIRY BUSINESS AND THE BRAND IS CONTRIBUTING ITS FAIR SHARE IN GROWING THE DAIRY ECOSYSTEM IN INDIA.

5 mins

The rise and rise of popcorn as a healthy snacking option

POPCORN HAS EMERGED AS A POPULAR SNACK IN INDIA IN LINE WITH GLOBAL SNACKING TRENDS. WITH CONSUMERS MOVING TOWARDS HEALTHY SNACKING OPTIONS AND EXPERIMENTING WITH DIFFERENT FLAVOURS, INDIA’S GOURMET POPCORN MARKET IS POISED TO EXPAND AT A CAGR OF 36% BY 2022 WITH LOTS OF NEW PLAYERS ENTERING THE POPCORN BUSINESS.

4 mins

Why plant-based proteins are replacing meat-based proteins in consumer sweepstakes

WITH MORE NUMBERS OF CONSUMERS BECOMING AWARE OF THE BENEFITS OF VEGETARIAN AND VEGAN PROTEINS, WE ARE SEEING A CLEAR SHIFT TOWARDS THE CONSUMPTION OF PLANT-BASED PROTEINS.

4 mins

“We have developed unique strengths in the grocery staples category”

WHAT JK LIFESTORE CURRENTLY LACKS IN TERMS OF SIZE AND SCALE, IT MORE THAN MAKES UP BY HOLDING ON TO ITS UNIQUE REPUTATION IN THE KOLKATA F&G MARKET AS A CONVENIENCE STORE CHAIN THAT CAN BE TRUSTED FOR ITS QUALITY PREMIUM PRODUCT ASSORTMENT WITH AN EXEMPLARY FOCUS ON PROVIDING EVERYDAY ESSENTIALS ACROSS A FAIRLY WIDE BRAND SPECTRUM.

10+ mins

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Progressive Grocer Magazine Description:

PROGRESSIVE GROCER has been the voice of the food retail industry for over 80 years in the USA. Serving a wide audience in the Indian market, Progressive Grocer India's readers are top management at headquarters and top decision makers at store level. By anticipating, reporting and interpreting important data and trends, PROGRESSIVE GROCER fulfils its mission of identifying and highlighting insights and opportunity for leading grocery retailers, thereby accelerating brands and sales success for leading manufacturers