The warm weather is here and consumers are starting to think about their summer activities.
Between poolside hangouts and Fourth of July parties, grocers should expect to see a surge in sales on grilling staples and supplies. And according to a report, shoppers are starting to buy items for grilling in late May, before Memorial Day, with purchases reaching a peak in July for Independence Day.
Here’s what we think grocers should expect for Summer 2024 shopping trends and most importantly, some tips on how you can prepare through embracing innovative grocery store technology.
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Get ready for grillables or get grilled by your customers. It’s pretty simple.
The National Retail Federation pinpoints the Fourth of July holiday as the pinnacle of shopping activity in the summer.
In fact, an analysis of 2023 shows consumers spent an average of $93.34 on food items – the majority of which revolved around food items related to cookouts, picnics and BBQs.
Data suggests stores should expect typical grilling staples to fly off the shelves. This includes meat products like ground beef, hot dogs, sausage, hamburger, pork chops, steak, and Italian sausage.
Meat alternatives are also showing popularity in stores due to dietary restrictions and healthy eating resolutions following the winter holidays.
Of course, hamburger and hot dog buns will be at the top of shoppers’ lists as well.
A monthly series designed to provide grocers with valuable insights into how to get the most out of their point of sale system
Aside from handhelds, grocers should expect accompaniments like fries, potato salad, baked beans, barbecue sauce, marshmallows, and soda to be in high demand.
In general, grilling will continue to be a popular pastime during the summer months, even as restaurants and take out continue to be a popular alternative.
In a report from Statista, the United States remains the top country in the world for grilling. Last checked, the American grill and barbecue market was valued at $2.65 billion in 2020 and is forecast to expand to $3.28 billion by 2025.
While holiday shopping is expected for grocery stores, retailers look to technology to better streamline the planning process.
Store management technology can help stores more effectively prepare through accurate forecasting.
STCR’s retail solutions analyze spending habits, customer segmentation, and trend-based purchasing decisions to help retailers better predict what customers need.
Through STCR’s omnichannel technology, stores can understand overall demand better and cater to consumer needs through efficient category planning, not to mention prepare effectively for high-product demands.
Other grocery store solutions include:
Talk to us to learn how STCR can optimize your store today.
