Grocery Wars

Dementia – a subject matter close to my heart. Within the span of 4 ½ years, I lost both my Mom and my Aunt, in which dementia was a key cause of death for them both. Globally, close to 50M people have dementia. Every year, there are nearly 10 million new cases. The estimated proportion […]

Today, the food sector is in the midst of a dramatic transformation as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. More and more consumers are either 1. Shopping online or 2. Taking fewer trips to the grocery store each week. In either case, product packaging plays a key role in the brand’s success given 1. Consumers […]

To be listed in the grocery sector it is necessity brands offer a unique point of differential. No, price and taste are not points of difference. This is not so more evident than today given the pandemic and how consumer shopping habits have changed. Whether the product was organic or plant-based certified to being a […]

The popularity of plant-based foods has become a global phenomenon. Global sales are projected to top $74B by 2027 growing at a Compounded Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 11.9% from 2020.[i] Plant-based sales in Canada hit $1.7B for the 52-week ending September 15, 2018.[ii] Plant-based proteins in Canada growing 250% faster than animal proteins (+7% […]

The family food menu today is more complex than it was growing up. Back then it was common to wake up to a hearty breakfast that included a glass of orange juice, cereal, and a cup of coffee, double cream, double sugar. Oh, how times have changed. Consumers are now more concerned with healthier food […]

Since 1981 when the chips are down and consumers are experiencing tough times, Food Banks have been there to ensure Canadians always have a meal on the table. The first food bank opened their doors in the city of Edmonton under the umbrella of “The Canadian Association of Food Banks”. They changed their name to […]

Getting listed in Canada’s grocery sector is an accomplishment in itself. Especially given in 2018, Canadian grocers delisted more products than new products they listed. Though some may tend to disagree with me, I feel the greatest challenge smaller brands face in this sector is “Staying Listed”. Staying listed in the sense the brand has […]

COVID-19 has changed consumer shopping habits for the foreseeable future. This is especially true in the grocery sector. Dalhousie Universities’ spring study revealed that only 24% of Canadians felt comfortable with the idea of in-store grocery shopping.[i] In addition, there has being a surge in online food sales. This is significant given before COVID-19, Canadians […]

The brand is a business’ most valuable asset, especially given the competition cannot copy it. Yet, it seems most small to medium size businesses put more of their time and effort into their product offering and not their brand identity. Though a great concern regardless, most concerning during COVID-19. Before COVID-19, brands had 5-7 seconds […]

Growing up is was common practice for the milkman to deliver our milk directly to our home. When my dad designed our new home, he created a milk slot which was open to the outside, but locked in the inside. When finished we would put our empties back and the milkman picked them up. Though […]