Seeking to attract the growing base of shoppers seeking fresh, healthy, convenient and flavorful offerings, operators of the deli, meat, seafood, dairy, produce, bakery and foodservice departments, as well as the refrigerated and frozen aisles, are upgrading and expanding their selections.

Indeed, more merchandisers are turning the perishables areas into key competitive differentiators and giving them enhanced marketing priority.

To provide those retail and wholesale executives, directors, managers, buyers and other key decision makers with the tools to help them maximize revenues from the crucial perishables departments, BNP Media is launching Perishables Buyer.

Each monthly issue will provide readers with the latest category data, new product listings, profiles of influential retailers, successful operating strategies and tactics, and analysis of sector trends.

Faye Greenberg, a San Jose, Calif.-based retail and foodservice consultant, for instance, notes that fresh departments, in addition to widening their range of offerings, are including more upscale selections.

She says supermarket bakeries have gone from just carrying basics products to selling artisan items that are equal in quality to the products being offered in local stand-alone outlets.

“More bakeries are creating a compelling sensory experience that makes it difficult to pass the departments without venturing in to see what smells so good,” she states. “Operators also have learned the importance of offering category selections of the week and month that capture new trends and flavor profiles that can develop into everyday offerings.”

Euromonitor International, a Chicago-based research firm, meanwhile, notes that health and wellness concerns, which are driving fresh food consumption, will further pick up as aging baby boomers become increasingly interested in eating foods that will increase their longevity.

The firm reports that baby boomers have the highest disposable incomes of all demographic groups, and are willing to pay extra for fresh foods that are perceived to be rich in nutrients.

“Fresh foods are more accessible than ever to average Americans,” Euromonitor International adds. “Big box retailers, such as Walmart, Costco and Target, have dedicated more square footage to fresh produce.”

As perishables operators focus on meeting the demands of the expanding and discriminating shopper base, Perishables Buyer will be providing them with the latest actionable intelligence.