In this issue

Other than the several challenges the Covid-19 pandemic brought in its wake, it also caused an epidemic of misinformation and mistrust of societal institutions. Whether it be institutions such as business, government, NGOs and the media, an environment of widespread misinformation and mistrust took hold.

Without trusted leadership sources to look to, getting reliable information became a challenge, and trust in all news sources sank to record lows. But where other institutions failed, grocers stood tall when people needed them most.

Throughout the pandemic, grocers have earned respect and trust through millions of daily interactions in stores and online. There were bumps here and there, as the sheer volume of people served increased the odds of occasional disappointment, but nothing remotely close to lumping grocers in with the level of widespread institutional mistrust.

Grocers understand that there’s a strong correlation between trust and success. The more you have of the former, the more you’ll have of thelatter. This belief has allowed grocers to maintain high levels of trust with shoppers and the communities in which they operate.

“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

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

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

CATEGORY WATCH FOOD STAPLES

5 mins

Just Outside the Box

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

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

How Hormel Became a Snack Company

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

10+ 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

The New Normal for Snacks

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

6 mins

Read all stories from Progressive Grocer

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