Spoiler Alert

Check out how Kimberly Jones, Director of Sales and Purchasing at , is making an impact on . ⬇️

Natural Choice Foods purchases bulk food items that were slightly over-produced or under-sold at discounted prices, perform quality inspections, repackage them into smaller portions, and distribute them to food deserts and outlets. This process enables customers to have affordable and easy access to more meals.

In terms of other organizations that address food access, Kimberly shouted us out: " helps food and manufacturers reduce via their online discounted sales platform. Much of the product sold through their platform goes to retailers that operate in underserved communities. I have been impressed with their vision, drive, and ability to enact change with food suppliers."

Looking to make an impact yourself? Kimberly recommends "visiting your local food outlet or discount grocer. These products are the same products you see in other stores, just with a little shorter shelf-life. These stores are slowly going out of business and they often service customers in ."

Her innovative ideas have saved millions of pounds of food from going into landfills, underscoring her commitment to and responsible business practices.

As Kimberely shares - never settle for how things have always been!

Read the entire feature:

How Kimberly Jones Of Natural Choice Foods Is Helping To Address The Growing Challenge Of Food… An Interview With Martita Mestey

Managing inventory can be a tricky task and one with detrimental impacts to the and bottom lines when not handled efficiently.

"Optimizing food is not just a cost-saving measure, it's a strategic move that impacts inventory accuracy, carrying costs and product quality. It is an essential aspect of sustainable and profitable business operations in the and industry."

Food Engineering Magazine shares some techniques to minimize :

1️⃣ FIFO
The First-In, First-Out technique prioritizes selling oldest inventory first to maintain product freshness.

2️⃣ Demand Forecasting
By leveraging data and analytics to predict future consumer trends, companies can plan ahead and reduce the likelihood of overstocks or stockouts.

3️⃣ Monitoring Shelf Life & Expiry Dates
Tracking expiration dates is crucial for companies to ensure they're providing fresh products to their customers and limiting the amount of product going to .

4️⃣ Regular Inventory Audits
Performing regular audits mitigate discrepancies and shrinkage while saving time and resources.

"Implementing these techniques can lead to more accurate inventory levels, reduced waste and improved order fulfillment. These benefits translate to happier customers, a healthier planet and a more profitable business."

And while is inevitable, 🍏 is your solution to the slow-moving and obsolete inventory.

Read the full article:

Optimizing Food Inventory: 4 Smart Techniques to Minimize Waste & Maximize Fulfillment

As shoppers continue to look for value, more are turning to dollar and club stores to stretch their dollar further. In response, brands like Unilever and Kraft Heinz are adapting to meet their customers where they shop, with Kraft Heinz increasing product distribution in by 10% this year.

"These widespread changes are rooted in need and practicality, rather than in desire and indulgence. and need to adjust to this new behavior in order to create another shift in the consumer’s spending priorities," shares Marshal Cohen, Chief Retail Industry Advisor at Circana.

To better understand the performance of discount and dollar retailers, check out our latest discount retail market report:
https://spoiler-alert.shp.so/l/kt5mGm

How CPGs Like Kraft Heinz, PepsiCo, Unilever & More Are Shifting Investments to Spur Cautious Consumers As many companies ramp up product innovation in 2024, some of the largest manufacturers recently detailed what they’re seeing about consumer behavior and how they’re adapting. Here's a snapshot.

Did you know that 81% of consumers are shopping at a or dollar store at least once a month? Our latest report analyzes the performance of 5 publicly traded discount retailers: TJX, ROSS, Grocery Outlet, Ollie's, and Big Lots.

In Q3 of 2023 the industry experienced remarkable growth and significant shifts, and we've gathered all the insights you need to stay ahead of the game - from store openings and leadership changes to comparable store sales and how the next generation of consumers are shopping.

"Our business model offers shoppers both value and convenience, and we believe consumers’ heightened focus on these important factors bodes well for us for the foreseeable future,” shared Barbara Rentler, CEO at ROSS.

Download the report:
https://spoiler-alert.shp.so/l/JSBMCm

Discount Retail Market Report

"Deliberate overstocks lead to financial and environmental and excess inventories clog up warehouses and production schedules, reducing agility. A better resilience approach is to make yourself as agile and able to respond to changing circumstances as possible and use contingency stocks judiciously."

Read more about how digital tools can help optimize inventories to build a resilient :

How Can Digital Tools Optimize Inventories? Digital tools in the right hands and used in the right way can significantly help optimize inventories and the building of a resilient supply chain.

Did you know that 80% of consumers are altering their shopping habits due to economic shifts? As dollar stores continue to attract a broader audience, they're responding by investing in expanded product assortment, merchandising, marketing, and .

While and stores once catered primarily to households with annual incomes of $30,000 to $60,000, they are now experiencing a significant consumer base of those with household incomes of $220,000 and under, as consumers continue to trade down.

"Essentials such as bread and milk are primary traffic drivers, which inspires consumers to visit several times a week and have helped dollar stores tackle declining store visit rates. Integrating non-essential and higher-price point categories into their assortment allows these retailers to better engage and serve customers while they’re in stores."

As dollar stores redefine their role in the retail landscape, it's imperative for brands to stay attuned to these transformative trends.

Continue reading:

Category Insights Report: Dollar Stores Redefine Themselves with Enhanced Merchandising and Mobile Apps - Retail TouchPoints Dollar stores have adapted to keep pace with the needs of evolving consumer behaviors by expending their assortments and creating sophisticated mobile apps.

40% of and retail leaders are prioritizing efficient supply chains, and 35% plan to invest significantly in resilience.

The current economic environment is changing business strategies and has shifted the focus from cost to value, "Brands and retailers will look to make smart, strategic investments in areas where value is created," shares Kathy Gramling, EY Americas Consumer Industry Markets Leader.

Read more:

Economic Realities Spark Change in Business Strategies For CPG and Retailers: EY Leaders are looking to tech to help weather the economic storm in 2024, according to a new EY pulse survey. Key areas of investment include digital, end-to-end supply chain capabilities, machine learning, and AI co-pilots.