As regular Natural~Specialty Foods Memo (NSFM) readers know, in August, 2007 we first suggested there was emerging the beginnings of a small-format grocery store retailing revolution occurring in the United States, in which major grocery chains were more-and-more getting into the game by creating and launching stores ranging in size from about 10,000 -to- 25,000 square feet, which is what we in the main define as small-format.
[Do a key-word search in the search box at the top of the blog using phrases such as small-format grocery retailing revolution, small-format grocery stores, small-format food retailing, Small Marts, small-format revolution, small-format stores, small-format food stores and small-format price-impact stores, (one phrase at a time of course) to get a sampling of those pieces. We also suggest reading through the NSFM archives for more pieces.]
We've sited the success in the U.S. of German Retailer Aldi, with its over 850 small-format, price-impact Aldi USA grocery stores, SuperValu, Inc.'s success with it's growing Sav-A-Lot small- format discount grocery chain, the Trader Joe's phenomenon, with the rapid-growth and high demand all over the U.S. for its specialty grocery stores, which now number well over 300, and the entrance into the Western USA by Tesco, with its small-format, convenience-oriented Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market grocery stores, as examples of this growing small-format grocery store revolution.
And that's not all. From August, 2007 to the present we've also sighted as evidence of a small format grocery store revolution in America, the fact that mega-retailer Wal-Mart has developed its very own small-format grocery store, it's 15,000 -to- 20,000 square foot Marketside banner, the first stores of which are set to open in the Phoenix, Arizona Metropolitan region this summer.
Additionally, we've reported on and written about Safeway Stores, Inc.'s planned intrance into the small-format grocery store segment. Safeway plans on opening four or five 15,000 -to- 25,000 square foot combined grocery and fresh and specialty foods-oriented grocery stores this summer in the San Jose region in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Other players in this small format revolution we've written about include Pennslyvania-based Wawa Food Markets, which operates hundreds of hybrid small-format grocery markets-convenience stores in the Eastern USA, supermarket chain Hy-Vee, which recently opened its first small-format grocery store in Lincoln, Nebraska, supernatural grocery retailer Whole Foods Market, which has created Whole Foods Express, it new small-format store of about 20,000 square feet, the first of which is set to open soon in a remodeled former Wild Oats Market building in Boulder, Colorado.
These players are just the tip of the small-format grocery store retailing revolution in the USA of which we've reported on, written about and analyzed here in Natural~Speciatly Foods Memo.
Lastly, we've also written about the fact that the original small-format food retailer, the local independent grocer, continues to thrive in Americaby building and operating small-format grocery stores. That independent is in fact the model in many ways for the small-format revolution being created by this larger, chain operators.
International small-format grocery store revolution
Further, we've also said there's an international small-format grocery store revolution occurring. Many of the players are the same--with a few more added--internationally.
Tesco, with its rapidly-growing Tesco Express hybrid grocery store/convenience store chain and German grocery chains Aldi and Lidl are leading the international small-format grocery retailing revolution.
France's Carrfour, the second largest retailer in the world, is becoming a major player in the international small-format grocery store revolution as well, especially in Asia.
And of course, many other smaller players, as is the case in the U.S., are part of the growing small-format grocery store revolution throughout parts of the globe.
New TNS Retail Forward small-format grocery store study
It's seems we were somewhat on track beginning nearly ten months ago when we proclaimed a small-format grocery store revolution was occurring in the U.S., as well as in many other parts of the world.
A new study just released by the well-respected market research firm TNS Forward's Columbus, Ohio office says consumers are ready and willing to shop at small-format grocery stores that feature convenience in shopping and fresh, prepared foods.
The study also includes a caution which we use frequently in our pieces here at NSFM, which is that the jury is still out as to whether small-format grocery stores in general will meet consumer expectations, satisfy their needs as a primary or even secondary shopping venue, and provide a return on investment for the stores' owners.
The study also hits on three key points we make often about small-format grocery stores:
>Research: The study says food retailers considering a small-format grocery store strategy must monitor and analyze shopper needs, attitudes and expectations well in advance of launching a small-format store or chain.
>Localism: The report says paying attention and focusing on local (region and neighborhood) culture (and cultural differences) and demographics is key in launching any small-format grocery store venture.
>Partnering: The research study says retailer's launching a small-format grocery store venture need to seek input from grocery, fresh foods and consumer packaged goods suppliers and partners, as they have national knowledge as well as local experience, among other reasons for doing so.
The above three aspects of small-format grocery store retailing, which we summarize as research, localism and partnering, are themes we've been including in out numerous pieces on the small-format grocery store retailing revolution occurring in the U.S. and in other parts of the world for months.
U.S. Consumer attitudes about small-format grocery stores
The TNS Retail Forward study says 64% of U.S. shoppers surveyed said they would either definitely or probably shop at a small-format grocery store. [Based on our own research and some others we think that number is a bit higher.]
The study also notes consumers surveyed indicated the combination of the small-format (convenience), combined with fresh, prepared foods offerings is a compelling offer for "the time-pressed shopper."
Jennifer Halterman, a senior consultant at TNS Retail Forward and the primary author of the study says, "The small-store trend is part of an ongoing evolution in the retail food sector, and we expect more players to throw their hats into the ring."
We agree completely with the latter part of her quote--that more retailers are throwing, and getting ready to throw, their small-format grocery store retailing hats in the ring. I
In fact, we invite Ms. Halterman--and our readers--to stay tuned over the next couple of weeks as we will be reporting and writing about some new entrants into the small-format grocery store retailing revolution who nobody else has reported on yet. In fact, look for one or more of those fresh pieces later today, along with lots of upcoming analysis in the weeks ahead.
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