inStorebuyer - March 2011 - 3

editor’snote
MAR 11 | VOL 7 | ISSUE 2
INSIGHT FOR BUSINESS ON THE RISE

EDITORIAL STAFF
John Unrein | Editor Joanie Spencer | Managing Editor Anna Comstock | Assistant Editor Cayce Richardson | Senior Designer

SALES STAFF
Troy Ashby Associate Publisher/Sales Lily O’Kane Classified Sales Representative

PUBLISHING STAFF
Charles S. Sosland Chairman L. Joshua Sosland Vice-chairman Mark Sabo President & Publishing Director John Sonderegger Publisher Melanie Hepperly Vice-President & Chief Financial Officer Don Keating Audience Development Director Sadowna Conarroe Design Services Manager Steve Piatt Classified Designer Dana Holt Manager of Directories & Databases Carrie Fluegge Director of On-line Advertising & Promotions Jon Hall Director of e-Business Nora Wages Advertising Manager Sharon Alexander Advertising Materials Coordinator Marj Potts Digital Systems Analyst Becky White Manager of Advertising Design Judy Arnone Circulation Manager Alissa Nower Promotions Manager

Where Innovation Starts
Perhaps the most enlightening discussion at the successful Winter Fancy Food Show in San Francisco, where I visited in January, occurred during an educational session about the similarities and differences between specialty and natural foods. Kathryn Peters, senior VP of development for SPINS, an information and services provider for the natural products industry, gave a highly informative presentation on how the line between natural and specialty products is blurring. Natural supermarkets are witnessing strong growth in gourmet items, while specialty gourmet supermarkets are enjoying positive growth in sales of natural products. Peters also shared predictions on key trends to watch in 2011. One is truth in labeling, as consumers become increasingly focused on making informed purchasing decisions. Another key trend is the continuation of shopper interest in the local movement, which can be defined as the ongoing effort to build locally based food economies that integrate sustainable food production, processing, distribution and consumption. Bottom line, what appears to be happening in the big picture is that consumers are steadily gaining interest in the integrity of food. Also consider that in one recent Mintel report, 77% of specialty foods shoppers in 2010 said they are willing to spend more for the highest quality ingredients, an increase from 71% in 2009. So as you plan for 2011, don’t forget the growing importance of specialty gourmet and natural bakery and deli products. “The natural channel and specialty gourmet channel is where the innovation is,” Peters says. “These are the stores you need to watch.” John Unrein junrein@sosland.com

INSTORE BUYER (ISSN 1554-348x) Volume 7, issue 2 is published 9 times a year, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct and Dec by Sosland Publishing Co., 4800 Main Street, Suite 100, Kansas City, MO 64112. Canada Post International Publications Mail (Canada Distribution) Sales Agreement Number 40015261. Send returns (Canada) to Bleuchip International, P Box 25542, London, ON, .O. N6C 6B2. Printed in the USA. Periodicals postage paid at Kansas City, MO and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to INSTORE BUYER, PO Box 324, Congers, NY 10920-0324. © Sosland Publishing Co. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited. INSTORE BUYER assumes no responsibility for the validity of claims in items reported. Sosland Publishing Co. is a division of Sosland Companies. Inc.

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ADDRESS. TELEPHONE, FAX, E-MAIL Editorial and sales offices are located at 4800 Main St., Suite 100, Kansas City, Mo. 64112. Phone: (816) 756-1000. The switchboard is open between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Central Standard Time, Monday through Friday. Our main fax number is 816=756=0494; advertising sales can be reached by fax at 816=756=2618. Our e-mail address is bakingbuyer@sosland.com. This number is available for corresponding with any BB department. SUBSCRIPTIONS, ADDRESS CHANGES InStore Buyer is distributed free of charge to qualified readers with managerial responsibilities in in-store, foodservice, retail, specialty wholesale and distribution businesses. For non-qualified readers, U.S. subscriptions are accepted at $60 per year. Other foreign subscriptions (from outside the territory of the U.S. and its possessions) are accepted at $80 per year. For subscription information or address changes, call the Circulation Department at (816) 756-1000. BACK ISSUES Single copies are $15 and are available from the Circulation Department. Special issue prices vary. REPRINTS, PHOTOCOPY PERMISSION Requests for reprints of articles should be sent to reprints@sosland.com or call (816) 756-1000. InStore Buyer is copyrighted; reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited. Photocopy permission for academic purposes may be obtained from the editor. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Comments and opinions by our readers are welcome. Please send letters to the editor to our mail address, by fax or e-mail. DIRECTORIES Special directories and buyer’s guides are published annually for the baking, grain and milling industries. For details and prices of these publications, call the Circulation Department at (816) 756-1000.

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inStorebuyer - March 2011

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