In an article published on March 29, 2017 by news provider Food Dive, contributor Jeff Wells reports on the growing demand for bulk, unpackaged foods offered in self-service bins in grocery stores in the U.S.. Many premium supermarkets have integrated and are upscaling their offer of bulk foods, Wells informs. According to Diana Sheehan, director of retail insights at Kantar Retail, “bulk foods generate high margins for retailers and are fairly simple to execute.” The presence of bulk food sections signals a store’s commitment to “whole, unprocessed foods” which are increasingly sought after by shoppers, she added. Bulk foods are often associated with less food and packaging waste because consumers can fill exact desired amounts and bring their own reusable containers. In addition, industry studies suggest that bulk foods offer price savings for consumers compared to packaged alternatives, Wells notes. Consumers also have the opportunity to “try unique foods or ingredients that might be difficult to find or considerably more expensive in packaged varieties,” he writes.
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Jeff Wells (March 29, 2017). “Size matters: Bulk foods are going mainstream in U.S. grocery stores.” Food Dive
