Welcome to Food Week July 31. We have questions: will grocery prices actually begin to deflate? Are retailers really media companies? Are chewy and viscous cocktails a thing? Can dynamic pricing help move short shelf life food and avoid waste? And how can members of the US military suffer food insecurity? Some answers, more questions. Enjoy.
MACRO
- CEOs reinvesting, believe in soft landing. Uh-oh.
- US added slightly fewer jobs for the week than expected which may be a sign that fed hikes are having their intended effect
- Is there finally downward price pressure on brands from consumers? Kraft Heinz maybe the canary in the coal mine.
- The US has experienced some of the lowest inflation among G7 countries:
RETAIL AND CONSUMER
- Bundling Prime and Whole Foods hasn’t really worked.
- 3 recalls in a week for Trader Joe’s is double plus ungood.
- Disinflation is making retailers nervous. However, retailers are vey excite to become media companies by selling your data.
- The devastating emotional toll caused by farmers markets. I am kidding. The author may not be
- As someone who is constantly annoyed by grazers in Costco, any change is welcome. I wonder to what extent heavy users of Costco even bother with samples. I can’t remember the last time I indulged.
RESTAURANTS AND FOODSERVICE
- 40% of diners less likely to return to restaurants that add a service fee.
- At that same time, deposits, reservation charges and cancellation fees gain momentum especially at higher end restaurants.
- A guy by the name of Frank Siragusa is really good at suing fast food chains for not performing to their advertised standards. Now he’s going after Taco Bell.
- Will chewy and viscous cocktails become all the rage?
- Chik Fil A fires African American worker over ‘unnatural’ hair color.
FOOD SUPPLY CHAIN
- Can dynamic pricing help with food waste and climate change?
- 85 billion chickens, worldwide. Most of them pretty miserable.
- I thought plant based meat alternatives had plateaued. They are actually declining in sales.
- It’s hot and so are watermelons. Even thought prices are up, demand remains strong. Extremely hot weather may induce more purchases.
- The Salton Sea is shrinking and taking agriculture with it.
FOOD WEEK JULY 31 LAGNIAPPE
- Food insecurity is common in the US military, which seems insane.
- Understanding Independent Bottlers and their role in rare and expensive single malt offerings.
- Gazpacho with crab. Sounds better. Still probably no.
- Bell peppers underrated as source for anti-oxidants.
- Advice for those with a popcorn addiction.