Pizza rises to prominence because to the pandemic
Fourteen percent of customers eat pizza at least once a week, according to Technomic’s Pizza Trend Report from earlier in 2020. Taste, quality, and value are what people still look for in fresh deli-prepared pizzas, despite the fact that many consumer preferences have changed since the pandemic began, according to Stuart Demanowski, senior product manager of Rich’s Foods’ pizza and flatbread category business unit in Buffalo, New York.
According to Mr. Demanowski, “since the beginning of the pandemic, consumption of made-to-order and take-and-bake items has skyrocketed as consumers shift to dining at-home vs. away from home.” Additionally, consumers are buying more reasonably priced meals that are well-liked, substantial, and able to feed a large group of people. Pizza ticks every box above.
Rich’s has witnessed a significant increase in sales of frozen and deli-prepared pizza since the COVID-19 pandemic. Pizzas are being used by consumers as quick supper options that they can stock up on and freeze. According to Holly LaVallie, vice president of Hormel Deli Solutions, a branch of Hormel Foods, located in Austin, Minnesota, customers are also drawn to pizza systems that allow for customizable ordering.
According to Ms. LaVallie, “COVID-19 has directed consumers to look for pizza programs that allow them to customize toppings, add to their pickup order, and have tamper-proof packaging or no-touch collection points.” “We’ve noticed a shift away from pizza sold by the slice toward more whole pizza purchases for family occasions as people are eating together at home more frequently.”
It’s difficult to ignore the rising plant-based business and its impact on the pizza category, despite the fact that classic pizzas like cheese and pepperoni remain popular—pizza is the top option, according to Technomic, with 33% of customers saying it’s their favorite pizza order. 39% of US consumers say they are attempting to eat more plants, according to Nielsen.
Mr. Demanowski declared, “It is impossible to ignore the plant-based trend.” Rich’s has launched pizza products that take less work, less prep time, and less waste, while providing customers with the plant-based options they need with the same delectable texture and taste. These products range from gluten-free and vegan to vegetarian and keto-friendly. In addition to cauliflower, some of our new crust possibilities are sweet potato, zucchini, broccoli, and cheddar cheese.
Rich’s cauliflower crust continues to be highly sought after as customer desire for plant-based foods grows. Popular pizzas that aren’t plant-based include classic take-and-bake varieties like supreme, cheese, and pepperoni.
According to Mr. Demanowski, Rich’s provides a wide variety of pizza items, ranging from dough balls to fully topped pizzas, enabling retailers of all sizes to create compelling, cutting-edge programs for their patrons. The latest offerings from the company comprise:
Completely topped Margherita Cauliflower Gluten-Free Pizza Packaged crusts made from plants with a modified environment that prolongs shelf life
Pizza kits, which come with all the components needed for families to use their imaginations and create their own unique pizza concoctions at home
pizza crust in the shape of a heart (released in February)
Pizza crust in the form of a football (coming soon)
According to Ms. LaVallie, Hormel has also seen a rise in demand for gluten-free and plant-based pizza toppings.
The industry is still dominated by pepperoni, sausage, chicken, and bacon, but plant-based food has grown in popularity to the point where Hormel launched its Happy Little Plants brand, which features vegan chorizo, Italian sausage, and pepperoni toppings.
“We can assist in creating a successful pizza program by providing a variety of topping options and the convenient pizza options that customers desire,” Ms. LaVallie stated, referring to Hormel Foods as the authority on pizza toppings.
BelGioioso Cheese, located in Green Bay, Wisconsin, has experienced growth thanks to its artisan, clear-label cheeses that go well with every kind of pizza.
“We have the broadest assortment of Italian style cheeses in the industry, from delicate, milky Fresh Mozzarella to creamy Low Moisture Mozzarellas to Provolone and custom blends,” stated Sean Moran, vice president of sales at BelGioioso. “The most durable trend is using high-quality ingredients, which add excellent flavor.”
You may also like:
Food security in emerging nations: issues and remedies
Are drinks the secret to increasing cannabis use among consumers?
Managing the lack of labour for mushroom picking
BelGioioso most recently introduced BelGioioso Platinum Mozzarella, a premium quality low-moisture mozzarella cheese. Created for consumers seeking a high-end, low-moisture mozzarella product, Mr. Moran claimed the new cheeses perform better in terms of flavor, melt, and stretch.
Ms. LaVallie recommended that stores offer meal bundles and a plethora of configurable online alternatives in order to tailor their pizza campaigns to customers who are dining in.
“A great way to make grab-and-go easy is to offer salad, soda, breadsticks, and dessert together,” the speaker stated. Offering hot pizza to go for a quick and simple lunch or dinner during busy meal times is another method to generate excitement.
By making it easy for customers to customize their pizza toppings and add the product to their online carts, retailers can also increase sales to shoppers who shop online. According to Mr. Moran, “boosting searches or banner ads, accurate descriptions, and impactful images are all critical to driving online sales.”
Mr. Demanowski recommended putting display cases in various spots around the store to point customers toward the deli pizzas for in-store shopping. Additionally, he pointed out that stores will be more successful if they combine online ordering with other digital strategies like curbside pickup and delivery and “recommended for you.”
“Most important thing is to make sure that pizzas from the deli are visible on the retailer’s website and other online channels, along with product details,” he stated. “Using the products’ eye-catching visual content—including before and after photos—helps draw attention and encourages consideration.”