Berry Category in transition: Blueberries building as strawberries ease
The berry category is in a state of transition, with different berries moving through their respective
seasonal phases.
Overall, blueberries are shaping up to take over as the category’s primary growth driver, with
blackberries providing added support. Strawberries remain plentiful but are edging closer to seasonal decline, while raspberries continue to face challenges with consistency.
Costco 4% market share and growing
Costco first entered the Australian market in 2009 and now has 15 warehouses and 1.5 million members. The US retailer operates a membership model costing $60 per year and this has proved successful in increasing loyalty and incentivising shopping trips to get the savings to offset the annual membership fee.
Woolworths rolls out Scan&Go to QLD & VIC stores
After the successful trial of digital trolleys in selected NSW stores, Woolworths are rolling the Scan&Go trolley initiative to 25 stores in QLD and VIC. Shoppers select products and then scan them before putting them straight into shopping bags in their trolley
Aldi launches into delivery with DoorDash
Aldi announced last Tuesday a new partnership with DoorDash to enter the delivery market for groceries in a bid to compete with Coles and Woolworths.
Fresh produce consumer behaviour update by fiftyfive5
Hort Australia recently hosted a webinar presenting the findings from the fiftyfive5 survey of produce buyers. 95% of main grocery buyers have noticed price increase in produce and of these 57% believe prices have increased significantly. This is driven by the media coverage of cost of living pressures and contributes to an increased awareness of prices in store.
Boomer cohort fuelling growth in luxury spending but also cutting back spending on other areas
Creditor Watch is forecasting that nearly one in 10 cafes, coffee shops and restaurants will go out of business in the next 12 months due to cut back in spending as cost-of-living pressures continue to mount for some households.
Coles growth in international foods
Coles has seen a trend of customers eating out less due to cost of living pressures, which has fuelled the growth of meals at home and also ‘fake-away’ where customers home cook takeaway options.
Aldi abandons online shopping launch.
Aldi has decided against expanding into online shopping to maintain its low-cost product offerings. Aldi ran a trial in 2022 where shoppers could purchase limited Special Buys items online, but the company disbanded its online team last year after considering the impact on its cost structure. In August 2023 Aldi once again signalled it would …
Tough times for Restaurants and Food service
Restaurants are heading into Winter (typically the slow season) with the added challenge of reduced spending by dinners and rising costs
Inflation increases in April to 3.6%
Inflation has slightly increased for the 12 months to April to 3.6% (up from 3.5% for 12 months to March), making it the second consecutive month where it has increased after dropping since the peak in December 2022.
