Specialty Food Magazine is the leading publication for retailers, manufacturers and foodservice professionals in the specialty food trade. It provides news, trends and business-building insights that help readers keep their businesses competitive.
Issue link: https://specialtyfoodmagazine.epubxp.com/i/55305
PROFILE inventory customer-driven, noting that regulars often come in with requests for certain products, empty container in hand. Such requests have included local favorite Toffee Talk candies, cookies and brittle from Applebaum Bakery, Tcho and Fearless Chocolates, Bob's Red Mill grains, Vicolo pizzas, Organic Pastures raw milk, and ice creams from Jeni's and Ciao Bella. Omran and his staff look for trends in these requests, further tailoring the selection toward customer needs. "Tastes are always changing, that's the one thing you can depend on," Omran says. Even fly-by-night fads must be considered to keep shoppers coming back. "I have to listen to my customers," he adds. "They're the ones who pay the bills." Department managers or specialists oversee product selec- tion in their respective areas of Dairy/Deli, Produce, Frozen Food, Beverage/Beer, Wine, and Candy. Though the emphasis is on local products, national and international brands have shelf space as well. For instance, the wine selection includes Northern California wineries Renwood and Acacia as well as Plum Gekkeikan from Wakayama, Japan. Among top-selling beverages are vintage-style sodas and locally crafted beers. In dressings, customers will find V SALES BREAKDOWN BY DEPARTMENT Non-food items (health and beauty, flowers) 4% Wine & Liquor 10% Deli 20% Produce 14% Dairy 17% Frozen 5% Le Beau–branded varieties, such as Champagne Honey Mustard Vinaigrette and Apricot Teriyaki Ginger Glaze, alongside familiar Groceries 30% TRADITION OF T ASTE 2 UÊ 0 UÊ 1 UÊ 2 irginia F ood & Be v erage E xpo THE BEST NEW PRODUCTS IN THE MARKETPLACE Wednesday, March 28, 2012 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. 800.284.9452 Convenient One-Stop Shopping Save Money and Time by Placing Orders at the Show. Free Admission for Food and Beverage Buyers Register Today Online — vaexpo.com EXPO BONUS— Visit the Wineries Unlimited Trade Show next door for FREE! 62 ❘ SPECIALTY FOOD MAGAZINE ❘ specialtyfood.com