Fresh Produce
Food Transparency Fuels Growth in Fresh Departments

Food Transparency Growth Drives Fresh Food Sales
The fresh food sector continues to thrive, driven by increasing consumer demand for transparency. This food transparency growth reflects shifting priorities in food sourcing and production.
Fresh Food Sales on the Rise
Fresh food sales have grown steadily, now accounting for 30.5% of total food industry revenue. Categories such as produce, bakery, and deli meats are key contributors to this expansion.
Transparency Claims Influence Purchasing Decisions
Shoppers increasingly seek products labeled as antibiotic-free, hormone-free, or pesticide-free. These claims influence buying choices and drive sales growth.
- No Antibiotics Ever (NAE) Meat: Experienced 45% growth from 2016 to 2017.
- Deli Meat with “No Antibiotics” Labels: Achieved a 17% compound annual growth rate.
- Antibiotic-Free Chicken: Sales increased from 12% in 2015 to 28% in 2017.
Products promoting food transparency growth often increase basket size. Shoppers spend an average of $105 when adding organic or antibiotic-free meat, compared to $76 otherwise.
Organic Products Fuel Growth
Organic options continue gaining traction, further boosting food transparency growth. Key trends include:
- Organic Produce: Growing at 8% annually.
- Organic Deli Cheese: Achieved a five-year CAGR of 40%.
- Organic Meat: Sales rose by 9%.
Strategies for Retailers
To leverage food transparency growth, retailers should:
Highlight Quality and Integrity
Promote products with transparency claims to attract health-conscious shoppers. Showcase ethical sourcing and sustainable practices.
Educate Consumers
Provide clear information about sourcing, sustainability, and nutritional benefits through signage, digital platforms, and in-store messaging.
Maintain Consistency
Ensure transparency messaging remains uniform across all departments to build trust and loyalty.
Promote Sustainability Efforts
Publicize initiatives like partnering with local farmers or reducing food waste to reinforce consumer confidence.
Conclusion
Embracing food transparency retailers with significant opportunities. By prioritizing transparency and communicating it effectively, supermarkets can expand their fresh food sales and attract loyal shoppers. Explore more industry insights on this website.