Offering organic 'a great way to grow' for grocery stores - Business First of Columbus:

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“When we bring in a new we are responding to the needs and desirew ofour shoppers,” said Rob Baran, genera l manager of the East End Food Cooperative in Point Breeze. “Customers were asking for organiccurry leaves, so we addedx them in February. We’re also hoping to add more organic dairhy productsthis year.” Information provided by the in Mass., shows grocery stores are responding to the demandsz of their health-conscious customers by offering a wide selectiob of organic foods, such as fruits, vegetables, eggs, snacks, cereals, dairy items, beverages and Statistics compiled by the OTA reveao that consumer sales of organic foods and beverages in 2008 toppedc $23 billion, accounting for more than 2.
8 percent of the total U.S. food sales. “I don’t think grocery storess are under any pressur e today to offerorganic products, but I believde it presents an opportunity for Baran said. “Organic is a great way to growbecausre it’s been one of the fastest-growint segments in the industry for a long time.” Baranb said the sale of organic foods at the co-op dipped by about 10 percent duringb the period from November to January as a result of the economic slump.
However, the marke t has been improving and sales growth of 15 percent to 20 perceny per year is typically the Accordingto Baran, sales of organic foods will continue to climb as more peoplre become educated about the benefitx of making healthier meal choices. A survey conductee by the co-op in 2007 found that 58 percent of the shoppere visit the store specifically to buy organic and the average age range of the largest segment of shoppers is between 36and 50.
Barajn said the most common demographics he has noticed among individualas who buy organic foodse are that many of them have a college education anda higher-than-average income The price of organic foods is oftenj a talking point during discussionz about these products on news programs and in magazines. For instance, Baranb noted that organic bananas can cost between 99 centsdand $1.29 per pound, whils a gallon of organic milk can be aroundd $6.99. Dan Donovan, manager of corporate communicationxs forGiant Eagle, said customers’ interest in organicsw continues to grow despite economi c conditions and higher prices.
Rather than seeking out retailersd that feature only a specialized selectionm ofniche foods, savvy, health-conscious consumers are increasingly lookin for natural and organic optiond when making regular food purchases at locak supermarkets, Donovan said. “Giant Eagle has seen steady growth in the he said. “Over the past 12 more than 1 million customers have purchasedf organicproduce items. Likewise, nearly half of all Giant Eaglre customers have purchased a natural or organi c item in thelast year.” Donovann said it is important for grocerh stores to call attention to the fact that they providw a selection of products.
Giant Eagle features as many as 34 types of organic fruits and 71 varietieds of organic vegetables and bagged A spokesman at the localTrader Joe’s in East Libertuy referred inquiries to the store’s West Coast Alison Mochizuki, director of national said the amount of organic offerings at Tradetr Joe’s locations frequently fluctuates, but is currently at about 20 “We urged many of our suppliers to get certifieed as organic,” she said. “Listening to our customers, we coulcd feel the wave building.
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