Progressive Grocer - November 2008 - (Page 92)

Grocery Stick around New flavors and healthier options could spice up performance for portable meat snacks, especially if more women grab for them. By D. Gail Fleenor eef jerky, long viewed as a man’s snack, is receiving increased attention from women, dieters, and other nontraditional meat snackers in search of a healthier option. New varieties of the snack sticks are popping up, with options such as organic, turkey, grass-fed beef, Cabernet Sauvignon-flavored, and even calorie-controlled packs. Still, the “typical” jerky consumer, according to Nielsen Consumer Panel data, is most likely a bluecollar worker, between the ages of 35 and 54, with Stirring the pot Category and overall food trends, if they continue an income in the $50,000-$69,999 range, and a family of three or more people. Jerky purchase is to accelerate, could be changing the dynamic of the highest in households with children ages 6 to 12 meat snack business. Women, especially those searchand 13 to 17. Consumers purchase more jerky in ing for handy and better-for-you ways to get more the western United States, while those in the East protein in their diets, could be good target customers for the category, according to a new survey. and South purchase the least. The recent pilot study by Penn State UniverThe category could use a boost, apparently. Beef jerky sales were on the upswing a few years back, sity investigated the snacking interests of physically even among women, when the Atkins Diet was the active women between 18 and 45, focusing on calolatest weight-loss program, but that proved a fleet- rie/portion-controlled snacking. Participants coming fad, and today sales of packaged meat snacks are pared snacking on a well-known tortilla chip with down almost 4 percent from 2007, according to snacking on Jack Links beef jerky. Over half the women surveyed wanted a snack category data from The Nielsen Company. Line extensions are keeping suppliers busy. But that kept hunger at bay for one to two hours. Those while new types of jerky made from meats such as who sampled jerky thought it was more filling and turkey, bison, and grass-fed beef, and beef sticks fla- more convenient than the tortilla chips, and over 65 vored with anything from steak sauce to fine wine are percent said they would choose jerky over the chips readily available on the Internet, many supermarkets when given the choice. The study concluded that jerky could be the currently appear to be sticking with the original sticks. next big snack for active women. “We primarily sell Food Some manufacturers, includClub [private label], Jack Links More ONLINE ing category heavyweights, are and Oberto jerky, along with For additional info on obviously stirring the pot to see some local regionalized brands,” grocery, go to where they can find growth. Jack observes Roger Scott, grocery Progressivegrocer.com/ Links Beef Jerky is the leader in business manager for Lubbock, centerstore 92 • Progressive Grocer • November 2008 A H E A D O F W H AT ’ S N E X T B Texas-based United Supermarkets. “Beef, by far, is the best seller. The chicken and turkey we carry are slower sellers.” Scott notes that he hasn’t seen any of the gourmet jerky or all-natural offerings yet. St. Louis-based Schnucks carries its own brand of beef jerky, among national brand favorites, according to Lori Willis, the chain’s spokeswoman. “In our center store we carry a variety of jerky, including Slim Jim, Jack Links, Full Circle [a natural and organic private label brand], Bass Pro Shop, Tyson, and Pemmican. Slim Jim and Jack Links are pretty standard, but the others will vary by store.” the almost $3 billion meat snack category, producing more than 100 meat snack items. The origins of Minong, Wis.-based Jack Links may date back to the 1880s, but the company appears to make sure its jerky offering keeps up with the times and consumer trends. In conjunction with the USDA, for example, Jack Links developed the “Smart Snack” designation that details product benefits, including protein, fat, carbs, trans fats, and calories, to show consumers the healthy side of jerky. For consumers seeking healthier snack options, Jack Links offers certified organic jerky, and also has recently introduced 50-calorie portion-controlled packs of its jerky, tender cuts, or nuggets in a variety of flavors. The company also offers 100-calorie packs. Additionally, Jack Links is chasing the gourmet jerky trend by offering new flavors like Sweet & Spicy Thai Beef Jerky, Sesame Teriyaki Chicken Nuggets, and Flamin’ Buffalo Chicken Nuggets. Thanasi Foods, based in Boulder, Colo., also offers a variety of flavored meat snacks. The company’s newest items are Spicy Bar-B-Q Beef Brisket and Teriyaki Beef Jerky, both flavored with Stubb’s sauces. Most meat snack companies like Thanasi work with grocers to introduce their products to consumers. “From in-store signage and on-pack communication to our point of sale, we work to communicate the key nutritional advantages of our items,” says Justin Havlick, Thanasi’s president. D. Gail Fleenor, Contributing Editor, Grocery, can be reached at dgailf@embarqmail.com. www.progressivegrocer.com http://www.Progressivegrocer.com/centerstore http://www.progressivegrocer.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Progressive Grocer - November 2008

Progressive Grocer - November 2008
Contents
Front End
Nielsen’s Shelf Stoppers/Spotlight
Market Snapshot
Lempert Report
Independents Report
Cover Story: Store of the Month
PG Industry Event
Private Label: What Economic Downturn?
Private Label: Critical Mass
2008 Category Captains Awards
Beverage Alcohol
Meat Snacks
Meat Trends
Produce
Holiday General Merchandise
Equipment Innovations

Progressive Grocer - November 2008