Top 10: Grocers, restaurants, food suppliers change with the times

With the new normal of living amid the coronavirus pandemic setting in, SmartBrief readers this week clicked on stories relating to the ever-present changes taking place within food retail, restaurants and food manufacturing.

Nestle’s avoidance of major supply chain disruptions was the most-clicked story this week. The company’s CEO Steve Presley says frozen foods, particularly pizza, have seen significant sales increases. There have also been notable sales spikes in the baking, coffee and creamer categories, according to the company.

Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen’s call for grocery workers to receive emergency personnel status was the most-clicked story among grocery readers. “This urgent call for temporary first responder or emergency personnel status is not just about protecting grocery store workers, it is also about protecting the customers they serve and our nation’s food supply in general,” McMullen said.

Stories about the post-pandemic world also rated high with readers. Mighty Quinn’s Barbeque co-founder and CEO Micha Magid predicted how the coronavirus outbreak could create changes in the restaurant world, while data fromIRI and the Boston Consulting Group shows that consumers will reach for larger-sized food products and more shoppers will seek items out of stock online from convenience channels.

Further popular restaurant news included an embrace of grocery sales, such as Subway and Moe’s Southwest Grill selling the ingredients needed to make popular menu items, and Panera Bread and Newk’s Eatery offering baked goods, fresh produce and other grocery products.

Check out the full top 10 list below:

1. Nestle USA CEO: Growth seen in frozen, coffee, baking 

2. Kroger CEO calls for emergency personnel status 

3. What will the post-pandemic restaurant world look like? 

4. How grocery shopping is expected to change 

5. Versatile bacon jam livens up vegetables, sandwiches 

6. Coca-Cola, Ben & Jerry’s, more launch new products

7. “The Great American Takeout” returns with giveaway 

8. Restaurant chains embrace grocery sales 

9. New Amazon grocery orders on hold; Whole Foods pickup grows 

10. A history of yogurt, and how to make it from scratch 

Related stories:

• In a time of uncertainty, consumers credit grocers for stepping up
• How will the coronavirus outbreak affect the plant-based food industry?
• Don’t forget about the independent foodservice operator

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