This Week in Retail: The Rundown on Easter Features

Pork moved into the top spot this week just in time for the holiday, claiming 25.4 percent of protein feature volume. Beef came in second, scoring 23.6 percent, with seafood closely following at 23 percent. Chicken accounted for 16.2 percent. Turkey features were bumped up to 5.6 percent, compared to 3.6 the week prior.

When comparing holiday week retail prices year-over-year, we have to go back to the week of March 26^th, 2018, as Easter fell three weeks earlier last year. Looking at the retail ham complex, ham features come in at an average price of $1.66 per pound, compared to $1.86 per pound during the week leading up to Easter a year ago. That’s an 11 percent drop YOY and should...

This Week in Retail: Latest Consumer Price Data; Weekly Features Worth Noticing

Looking at the breakdown of retail buying opportunities this week, beef and seafood are tied for the top spot, each claiming 24.6 percent of protein ad volume. Pork accounts for 22.5 percent of feature activity, while chicken makes up 19.1 percent.

Latest CPI Data

The latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) for November was released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, showing the CPI unchanged during the month, following a 0.3 percent rise in October. The food index, however, rose 0.2 percent.

The index for food away from home rose 0.3 percent, which was the largest increase since... 

This Week in Retail: YOY Feature Price Comparison

It’s hard to believe there are only three weekends left to shop and prepare for Christmas. In the coming weeks, grocers will be pulling out all the stops to capitalize on consumer holiday spending.

Looking at buying opportunities in the current week, beef feature volume leads the protein pack with 25.2 percent. Seafood is a very close second with 24.7 percent, while pork claims 23.2 percent. Chicken accounts for 18.7 percent of feature volume.

In the beef complex, steak feature volume saw a larger week over week increase, with top sirloin taking the top spot with 19.1 percent. The average feature price for top sirloin this week is $6.02 per pound, which is up about 50 cents per pound from a year ago, and up from last week’s average of $5.24 per pound. However, more comparatively attractive year-over-year steak features can be found in... 

This Week in Retail: Thanksgiving Outlook 2018

Thanksgiving is next week, and some supermarket shelves are already being cleared of some key essentials. As grocers restock in an attempt to keep up with demand, we have the latest outlook on what Turkey Day 2018 will bring.

The Show-Stopper

First, let’s take a look at the bird. ‘Tis the feast of fowl after all.  Buying opportunities at retail have more than doubled since last week, currently claiming 16 percent of total protein features. Turkey has seemingly taken circular share away from chicken, falling to just 12 percent this week versus 19 percent a week ago.

Average regional ad prices for frozen turkeys range from...

Dunkin' Debuts All You Can Eat Meat Breakfast Sandwich

Meat lovers have met their perfect match at Dunkin’. No longer must ordering a breakfast sandwich force a furious compromise over which one and only one classic meat to enjoy, as Dunkin’ is now bringing bacon, ham and sausage together into a single sandwich selection with the launch of the new All You Can Meat Breakfast Sandwich.

Dunkin’s All You Can Meat Breakfast Sandwich is all delicious with no decisions necessary, delivering meat fans everything they crave in one hearty, premium sandwich. It features two strips of bacon, two slices of ham and one sausage patty, served with egg and American Cheese on an oven-toasted croissant. The All You Can Meat Breakfast Sandwich is...

Johnston County Hams Recalls Ready-To-Eat Ham Products Due to Possible Listeria Contamination

Johnston County Hams, a Smithfield, N.C. establishment, is recalling approximately 89,096 pounds of ready-to-eat ham products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The ready-to-eat deli-loaf ham items were produced from April 3, 2017 to Oct. 2, 2018. The following products are subject to recall:

•Varying weights of 7 to 8-lbs. plastic-wrapped “JOHNSTON COUNTY HAMS, INC. COUNTRY STYLE FULLY COOKED BONELESS DELI HAM.”
•Varying weights of 7 to 8-lbs. plastic-wrapped “Ole Fashioned Sugar Cured The Old Dominion Brand Hams Premium Fully Cooked Country...

Patrick Cudahy® Celebrates 130 Years of Signature Sweet Apple-Wood Smoked Flavor

This October marks the start of the 130th anniversary of the signature Sweet Apple-Wood Smoked flavor of Patrick Cudahy®, perfected well over a century ago in the town of Cudahy, Wisconsin. Instantaneously, this small Midwestern town bought into the custom that bacon wasn’t optional, it was mandatory!

For 130 years, Patrick Cudahy stayed true to its one-of-a-kind flavor by sticking to original recipes and smoking their meats the old fashioned way, using its authentic rotary smokehouse still used to this day. As the tradition says, “when you make it right, you make it history.” Patrick Cudahy is proud to provide Wisconsin with its signature Sweet Apple-Wood Smoked bacon, premium deli hams, pepperoni, and deli meats year after year. The brand is dedicated to creating crave-worthy products guaranteed to be...

Applegate® Reveals Deli Ingredient Removal and Packaging Updates

Brand removes controversial ingredient carrageenan despite USDA’s decision to allow in organic products

Applegate, the nation’s leading natural and organic meat brand, is progressing its mission – Changing The Meat We Eat® – by bucking the status quo and improving its line of deli meat products. The brand decided to move forward with removing the controversial ingredient carrageenan in its poultry deli meat varieties, despite a recent United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) reversal on banning the seaweed extract from organic foods and beverages.

In addition to the carrageenan removal, Applegate is enhancing its deli ham varieties, and revealing a new packaging design that will boast a new look and provide an easier experience for consumers in-store and at-home. These deli changes will be transitioning at grocery store shelves now, until the end of the year.

“We’re proud to be a brand that not only listens to consumer feedback, but a brand that takes action on that feedback...

Smithfield Foods to Continue to Produce Genuine Smithfield Ham in Smithfield, Virginia

SMITHFIELD, Va.,- Recent media reports regarding Smithfield Foods, Inc. closing its smokehouse that produces Genuine Smithfield Ham in Smithfield, Virginia, are sensationalized and exaggerated. Contrary to these media reports, Smithfield has absolutely no intention of ceasing production of Genuine Smithfield Ham in the town of Smithfield, Virginia. No company representative has ever said otherwise. The company simply shuttered one of the oldest buildings on our large Smithfield, Virginia, complex while we evaluate the best site to produce our Genuine Smithfield Ham going forward.

Consumers needn’t worry: we have plenty of Genuine Smithfield Hams in inventory. This affords us the opportunity to assess alternatives for the production of our Genuine Smithfield Ham while continuing to supply this product to our loyal ...