CEO of Coles Group, Leah Weckert, anticipates an increase in home cooking during the upcoming Christmas season due to the ongoing impact of cost-of-living pressures. Last year, Coles experienced a 6.7% food price inflation over 52 weeks, and Coles has reported a 20% increase in theft in their financial year results. 

Weckert revealed that shoppers are looking to mimic restaurant-style meals at home, with a notable growth in Coles’ home-branded products across the store, including in the premium tier as well as the value range. Home brand products deliver higher margins for the retailer and offer value for consumers. Coles research has found that 20% of customers plan to be cooking more at home this year than last year, and consumers are still enjoying treating themselves. 

Head of Research at company Jarden says restaurant bookings and on-premise sales have softened and out-of-home consumption is normalising, which will add $2 billion in sales to the grocer market. 

What does this mean for the berry category? 

This is good news for the berry category as any uptick in home cooking especially around festive season, will be a boost to berries as they lend themselves to platters, cakes, and the ‘treat’ occasion. Winning a share of the off-location cabinets will be key, along with recipe ideas to inspire the use of berries. Cherries and Mangoes will be strong competition during the festive season, along with grapes and stonefruit. It will come down to the timing of these crops and the overlap with summer berry production. 

SOURCE: https://www.afr.com/companies/retail/coles-boss-expects-more-cooking-at-home-this-christmas