Pentallect Finds Broad Consumer Support of Non-Traditional Food and Beverage Channels

Pentallect Inc. Logo

Consumers are using a wide variety of non-traditional channels to satisfy their food and beverage needs, according to Pentallect, a leading food industry strategy firm. Pentallect’s research shows that a sizable number of consumers plan to try or use the channels more often in the future. Many reasons are driving this use, including convenience, a desire to save money, availability of unique items, support of local business, and perceptions of better quality (largely in the context of fresher products) than traditional channels.

Usage Within the Past 30 Days
Type Use %
Specialty Markets (e.g., bakery) 43.0%
Limited Assortment Stores (e.g., Aldi) 30.1%
Farmers Markets 27.0%
Trader Joe's 25.3%
Online (e.g., Amazon.com) 25.2%
Food Trucks  22.6%
Ethnic Stores  11.5%
Restaurant Delivery (e.g., Grub Hub) 9.3%
Home Delivered Meals / Kits (e.g., Blue Apron) 3.8%
Community Supported Agriculture  3.4%
Grocery Delivery (e.g., Peapod)  3.1%

Source:  Pentallect consumer research 2017

Bob Goldin, a Partner at Pentallect, notes that many of the channels studied are generally not tracked nor well understood. “We regard these businesses as stealth disruptors to the mainstream food and beverage industry. They have very strong appeal to a growing number of consumers and have real traction. They will gain valuable share over the next decade, and help to explain why some traditional retail and foodservice segments will be growth-challenged.”

Pentallect estimates that the non-traditional channels represent approximately $100 billion in consumer expenditures, and projects 10+ percent annual growth for the referenced channels over the next five years compared to 3 – 4 percent for foodservice and 1 – 2 percent for retail (which includes supermarkets, mass merchants, club stores, and drug stores). According to Bill Caskey of Pentallect: “We are seeing a real change in industry dynamics. The emergence and accelerated growth of nontraditional channels reflects fundamental shifts in consumer behavior.”

Future Plans
Type Use More Often Plan to Try Total
Specialty Markets (e.g., bakery) 22% 18% 40%
Limited Assortment Stores (e.g., Aldi) 16% 12% 28%
Farmers Markets  54% 24% 78%
Trader Joe's  23% 14% 37%
Online (e.g., Amazon.com) 17% 19% 36%
Food Trucks 14% 20% 34%
Ethnic Stores 18% 20% 38%
Restaurant Delivery (e.g., Grub Hub) 10% 25% 35%
Homer Delivered Meals / Kits (e.g., Blue Apron 11% 27% 38%
Community Supported Agriculture  17% 51% 68%
Grocery Delivery (e.g., Peapod) 16% 22% 37%

Source:  Pentallect consumer research 2017

Pentallect will be publishing results of their Non-Traditional Channel study on June 28, 2017, which will provide detailed insights regarding consumer usage, frequency, spending and attitudes by age group, income levels and gender for each channel. For information on the report and other Pentallect services, please contact Rob Veidenheimer, President of Pentallect.

About Pentallect Inc.
Pentallect is a strategic consulting and business improvement firm that provides an extraordinary breadth of food industry knowledge, drawing on vast food business management experience and broad networks of relationships throughout the supply chain for manufacturers, operators and distributors. The team leverages its expertise to conduct in-depth assessments of clients’ business strategies, structures, sales and marketing efforts, supply chains and spending/profitability to provide guidance and actionable insights that will have a direct P&L impact. For more information, visit http://www.pentallect.com or call at 888-651-3104.

Media Contact:
Rob Veidenheimer
P: 978-766-5618
E: [email protected]

Source: Pentallect

Share:


Tags: consumer research, farmers markets, food, food business management, groceries, hospitality, restaurant, restaurant industry, retail, supermarket, supply chain, survey


About Pentallect Inc.

View Website

Pentallect is a food industry consulting firm specializing in business and strategic planning, M&A due diligence, go-to-market effectiveness and food distribution/supply chain optimization. The firm’s clients include manufacturers, distributors/wholesalers, restaurant and supermarket chains and private equity firms. Each Pentallect partner has a unique understanding and perspective of the challenges facing the various market channels and segments, as each have held executive positions with multi-category manufacturers, distributors and/or consultancies. Their experienced-based thought leadership and pragmatic advice lead to improved sales and financial performance and company positioning. For more information, visit http://www.pentallect.com or call at 888-651-3104.

Pentallect Inc.
PO Box A3650
Chicago, IL 60690
United States