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A blog on the increasing demand of ultra-premium meals for pets at retail stores, supermarkets and specialty stores in Great Britain, is presented.

The article offers information on the State of the Specialty Food Industry 2014 report from the U.S.-based Specialty Food Association. The report reveals that specialty nut butter sales have recorded growth, higher than any other specialty product between 2011 and 2013. Information regarding the recall of more than 40 varieties of nut butters is presented.

The article reports on speculations that prices of products are expected to ease with price relief for proteins, dairy, and other agricultural produce in the coming year. Market analysts expect that the meat market will stabilize, poultry will provide a price reprieve, but dairy products will face short supply due to drought and disease. Agricultural economist Annemarie Kuhns reveals that beef and veal will face the highest rates of inflation.

The article offers information on several frozen meals including the Birds Eye mels from Publix Super Markets Inc., Sage Ravioli and Thai Curry Chicken Evol from Meijer Inc.

The article focuses on the partnership between beverage companies The Coca-Cola Co. and Keurig Green Mountain (GMCR) which aims to provide consumers with the cold beverage industry. Topics discussed include the involvement of Coca-Cola with the Keurig soda-making device under the management of chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) Muhtar Kent, combining of brand leadership and global footprint of Coca-Cola with the innovative technology of GMCR, and Rob Gutierrez of Dahl's Foods.

The article discusses the revival of barrel-aged beer sales in supermarkets as of January 2014. It notes several flavors of barrel-aged beers being offered by retailers for shoppers including oak, bourbon, and cognac. It cites barrel-aged beer brands that are available in grocery chains like Hy-Vee and Jungle Jim's International Market such as Evil Twin's Even More Jesus Port Barrel Aged and AllTech Brewing's KY Bourbon Barrel Ale.

The article reports on the initiative of U.S. supermarkets to stock on products that make meal preparation quick and easy for convenience-craving consumers. These products include simmer sauces, spice packs and other step-saving stir-ins that can be added to proteins and vegetables to create a complete, home-cooked meal. Publix Super Markets offer shelf-stable sauces and powder mixes, while Highland Park Markets' five locations carry meal starters.

The article focuses on the sale of convenient cooking meal solutions at supermarkets in the U.S. Topics discussed include the high demand for restaurant-style meal solutions, the steady growth in powder mixes and pre-measured spice packets at Publix Super Markets and the reasons behind the increased sales of refrigerated sauces. Also mentioned are the meal starters offered at Highland Park Market.

The article reports that shoppers tend to buy weight control products that make them feel full longer and offer grab-and-go convenience. Protein-packed products are allegedly faring well, especially ready-to-drink shakes. Items with low calorie or fat content and new flavors like butter pecan and bourbon vanilla are also selling well.

The article discusses a study by the University of Arizona and Loma Linda University which reveals that reusable bags and water bottles can harbor Salmonella and coliform bacteria, including Escherichia coli, if they are not cleaned regularly. Retailers allegedly do little to educate consumers about the possible cross-contamination risks related to using reusable bags and bottles. The study suggests that machine and hand washing are effective methods of ensuring the bags are safe.

The article focuses on the snack bar category in supermarket sales. According to data from Chicago-based research group SymphonyIRI Group for 2012, sales of snack bars with organic and nutritional ingredients reported increases while the snack and granola bar category declined. It discusses merchandising strategies for the category of supermarket chains including Straub's and Hiller's Markets.

The article focuses on the recycling of waste cooking oil by some U.S. retailers. Every week, Whole Foods sends out waste cooking oil from its stores in the Northeast to be refined and used to power a kitchen facility which produces food for 62 locations throughout the region. Wooster, Ohio-based Buehler's Fresh Foods uses reclaimed cooking oil to power two company vehicles, a 2003 Volkswagen Jetta TDI and a semi-truck.

The article reports on the declining sales of printed reading materials in supermarkets due to the growing availability of digital publications and electronic readers. Publix Super Markets spokeswoman Maria Brous remarked that sales tend to vary per category. It describes significant difference in prices of printed and downloadable products. Aside from "Glamour" women's magazine, Highland Park Market manager Tim Cummiskey shared that some men's magazines still manage to attract shoppers.

The article discusses the developments in the U.S. retail industry. It focuses on the performance of gluten-free products, which posted a 30% growth through 2010. According to Connecticut-based Highland Park Market store manager Tim Cummiskey, they received many requests for gluten-free products but they could not integrate them all due to space problem. The opinion of Illinois-based Willard Bishop partner Jon Hauptman on the developments is also cited.

The article discusses the efforts of groceries, supermarkets and other retailers to increase the sales of healthful chewing gum. The assortment of health and wellness gum stocked by stores such as Dorothy Lane Market and Dahl's Foods is described. Features of sugarless and other healthy gum products from brands such as Trident Vitality and Wrigley's Orbit are outlined. Ways in which consumers would be better encouraged to purchase gum are also cited.

The article reports on the move of retailers in the U.S. to offer more nourishing prepared meal options for children. Maria Brous, spokesperson for Publix Super Markets, says their deli departments provide lighter options like salads and fruit. Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Meijer has added choose-your-own-toppings fruit and yogurt parfaits to its produce departments as a healthful breakfast option for adults or children.

This article reports on the trend of U.S. food retailers meeting the meat demands of specific ethnic groups by merchandising and marketing a wider variety of beef, chicken and pork cuts that cater to the cultural culinary needs of shoppers. Retailers involved in the trend include Publix Sabor, the Fine Fare/Dolcy Foods supermarket in Perth Amboy, New Jersey and Tops Friendly Markets. Popular meat products among ethnic groups are cited.