bakingbuyer - September 2011 - (Page 82)

Fighting, Surviving, Thriving The baking industry covers both ends of the economic spectrum and points in between. by Bob Sims With the recent fluctuation on Wall Street, many consumers are putting a tight grip on any disposable income they might have. Cuts are being made as budgets are reworked in fear of what might become of the U.S. economy. The Census Bureau reports “dreary” retail sales numbers, according to kiplinger.com, and retailers are facing a challenge in getting consumers to spend. The costconscious consumer will be on the lookout for discounts, markdowns and free shipping. In June consumers cut back on dining out and second quarter spending was close to zero, according to Kiplinger. A recent Gallup poll showed that in July, 42% of small-business owners anticipated increased revenues in the upcoming year. That’s down from 49% in April and 54% in January. Eighteen percent of those polled expect their revenues to decrease in the next year. Small-business owners are also not optimistic about new jobs 82 · BAKING BUYER · SEPTEMBER 11 at their companies. The percentage of small businesses who expect an increase in jobs fell from 23% in January to 19% in April to 16% in July, and 12% expect a decrease, according to the poll. What has this done to the overall state of the retail baking industry, and how will it change the industry as the future unfolds? Keeping It Going The rising price of commodities is the main factor troubling Randall McArthur, owner of McArthur’s Party Cake Bakery Inc. With three stores in St. Louis, the price of commodities will have to stabilize for the future to get any better, McArthur says. In the 35 years he’s run the bakery, it’s the toughest economy he has seen. Commodities prices in general squeeze the mid-size bakery harder than their one-store competitors or the large chain retailers. One store operations have the ability to cut corners in labor or expenses to help make it through. The large chains http://www.kiplinger.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of bakingbuyer - September 2011

bakingbuyer - September 2011
EDITOR’S NOTE - See You in Schaumburg
INDUSTRY NEWS - News Bites
INDUSTRY NEWS - Oklahoma Sugar Art Show: Wedding Cakes Rock!
INDUSTRY NEWS - RBA Names 2011 Class of Emeritus
INDUSTRY NEWS - Cakes.com Gives Bakers Online Tool
INDUSTRY NEWS - Barry Callebaut Bolsters European Footprint
INDUSTRY NEWS - “Get Back to Scratch” Contest Winner
INDUSTRY NEWS - AMF Completes Acquisition of BakeTech
INDUSTRY NEWS - USDA Extends Sugar Import Entry
CONSUMER PURCHASING - Discovering America's Bakeries
BREADWINNERS - The Whole Truth About Whole Grains: Installment Three
BREADWINNERS - Team USA Profi le
BREADWINNERS - Why Not Rye?
DESIGN OF THE TIMES - Strokes of Genius
DESIGN OF THE TIMES - Keepsake Cakes
DESIGN OF THE TIMES - Fall is the New June
DESIGN OF THE TIMES - Figure Piping 101
BAKERY BIZ TIPS - Add Business to Add Revenue
CHOCOLATE - Ganache Secrets
FOODSERVICE INNOVATIONS - Food Labeling Fight
CONSUMER PURCHASING - Keep Them Coming Back
CONSUMER PURCHASING - get Social
Social Butterfl ies in the Baking Business
Fighting, Surviving, + Thriving
Allin the Family
EQUIPMENT TECHNOLOGY - Bakers ON ICE
FEATURED PRODUCTS
LIQUID ASSETS - COOL COMBOS
PRODUCT SHOWCASE
MARKETPLACE NETWORK
AD INDEX
panaderia
CARTA DE INTRODUCCIÓN - La Diversidad de Tampa
INTRODUCTORY LETTER - The Melting Pot of Tampa
PAN Y PANADERÍA - Pan Cubano: Estilo Tampa
PASTELES Y DECORACIONES - La Magia de la Plantilla
PRODUCTOS - PRODUCTOS DESTACADOS DE TRIGAL DORADO
Estrategias de Venta para la Nueva Economía
PERFILES - Moreno Bakery
PERFILES - La Segunda
PERFILES - Florida Bakery
PERFILES - Acapulco Tropical
PERFILES - Mi Patria
TENDENCIAS DEL CONSUMIDOR - Las Necesidades Particulares de los Hispanos
CALENDARIO DE DÍAS FESTIVOS
FÓRMULAS
CONSUMER TRENDS - Unique Needs of Hispanics
BREAD & BAKING - Cuban Bread: Tampa Style
CAKES & DECORATING - Stencil Magic
Sales Strategies in the New Economy
PROFILES - Moreno Bakery
PROFILES - La Segunda
PROFILES - Florida Bakery
PROFILES - Mi Patria
PROFILES - Acapulco Tropical
CALENDAR
PRODUCTS - FEATURED PRODUCTS FROM TRIGAL DORADO
FORMULAS

bakingbuyer - September 2011