Supermarket Perimeter - February 2024 - 14

The company's customers, Fazio said, are looking for more simplicity. Offering
a mix of products that are guaranteed to drive volume with low risk will be key for
Niman Ranch.
" Unless it's a category disruptor or it's filling a gap, our customers really want to
stick with the tried and true options. "
Expect this year to be a " grind economy, " Fazio said. Ground beef and pork will
be top sellers, as consumers continue to watch their budgets while still being able
to buy affordable, premium meats for simple meal time solutions.
Niman Ranch's sausage category, meanwhile, will continue to provide great
consumer value without sacrificing on the claims more and more people are
looking for - look for it to be big in 2024.
Also in 2024, Niman Ranch will grow its partnership with Certified Angus Beef,
Fazio said.
The companies have been partners for years. In 2023, they partnered on a
grass-fed beef program, a unique offering in the marketplace, Fazio said, that
Health and
wellness
go holistic
A more holistic approach to health and
wellness will continue to be front and
center for consumers in 2024, said Lori
Dunn, vice president of retail sales for
Thomas Foods International USA.
That trend has impacted Thomas Foods
in several ways, she said. Within the beef
category, for instance, organic was one of
the strongest categories for the company
in 2023, and that will continue in 2024.
Demand for organic beef is strong across
the board for Thomas Foods, ranging from
grinds to whole muscle steaks, Dunn said.
The company has also sold more net weight
steaks in the natural category.
provides something fresh to the grass-fed category.
" Grass-fed beef has been notoriously hit or miss when it comes to quality-
the Niman Ranch and CAB partnership cracked the code on reliably delicious
domestic grass-fed beef. "
Niman Ranch will also continue to expand its retail Iberian Duroc pork program
in the coming year.
As with beef, pork is a category, Fazio said, where consumers are looking for
meat options that deliver great quality and packaging that clearly communicates
the premium message.
The tagline on Iberian Duroc products is, " Restaurant Quality Pork at Home, "
and the " gilded and lux " design of the packs, as Fazio describes it, communicates
the premium message effectively.
Sustainable solutions
Sustainability will be a major point of focus in 2024, said Lori Dunn, vice president
of retail sales for Thomas Foods International USA.
The company is looking at new products and ways to maximize utilization of all
the products and resources it has available.
It's also conducting life cycle analysis for its products to share carbon footprint
information specific to its unique livestock raising practices.
85%
of meat shoppers consider at
least one better-for attribute
when buying meat.
Source: FMI
14 - FEBRUARY 2024
supermarketperimeter.com
Thomas Farms, Niman Ranch
http://www.supermarketperimeter.com
Supermarket Perimeter - February 2024

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