Gourmet Business June 2013

Summertime Merchandising Ideas

While summertime evokes many people’s desire to break out the barbecue and all the accoutrements, others might prefer a more elegant or perhaps a simple picnic experience. The beauty of gourmet specialty food stores is you can offer shoppers prod- ucts for every outdoor dining occasion.

Following up on last month’s barbecue focus, in this issue you will find “Perfecting Picnics: Simple Solutions for Outdoor Dining,” by Joanne Friedrick on page 13, which reveals the key characteristics of what consumers are looking for in picnicware. In fact, these desires track for many other products and services – consumers want picnicware that is easy to use, simple to clean, portable and storable. And new food storage technologies make it much easier to keep cold foods and beverages cold, and hot foods and beverages hot. Color, textiles and design also play an important role in setting the picnic table, so to speak, from blankets, tablecloths and napkins to multiuse portable serveware, flatware, plates, and beverageware.

Some exciting new products in the category include: Merritt Multifunctional Cooler Tote by Picnic Plus, which includes a built-in foldout table to keep food off the ground; Convertible Picnic Bag by BUILT, which includes wineglasses, plates, flatware and napkins for a party of four; Outdoor Serving Set by Starboard Collection; and Heritage Plaid Vacuum Bottle by Aladdin, which is insulated to keep drinks hot or cold for up to 12 hours.

The editorial staff of Gourmet Business has also been busy covering shows such as SIAL Canada and the Specialty Coffee Association of America Conference & Exhibition, which we feature in this issue, on pages 24 and 27, respectively, highlighting the newest products and trends we observed. We’ve also pre- viewed the upcoming AmericasMart in Atlanta to give you a flavor of what to expect July 10-17.

And for those of you looking for good summer cookbooks to merchandise, James Mellgren reviews “Wicked Good Burgers” by Andy Husbands, Chris Hart and Andrea Pyenson in this month’s installment of Cookbook Corner.

Maureen Azzato 

Managing Editor, Gourmet Business 

mazzato@gourmetbusiness.com