Some 300 dti members were told that the German industry has been very stable for years, with continuing slight increases. Rising raw material costs did force price increases in many frozen product groups, but, as the figures for 2011 showed, the impact was less severe than expected.
Per capita consumption climbed from 40.2 kilograms in 2010 to 40.4 in 2011, which meant 82.4 kilograms per household, up from 82.0 in 2010. Total consumption (retail sales and food service, including home service and discounters) was 3.31 million tons, up a slight 0.8% from 3.28 million in 2010. Total turnover, though, was up an encouraging 3.2%, from 11.421 billion euros in 2010 to 11.781 billion.
The gathering heard reports of a study in which the dti participated. It was conducted by Nielsen and Bormann & Gordon, and found, among other things, that the larger the community in which store is located is, the greater will be the frozen food share of total sales. A practice that can improve share, the study showed, is placing the frozen food display in the second third of the customer's trip through the store. Having it too close to the checkout can have a negative effect.
The dti also is participating in a study, by the rheingold Institute, to better know the habits of the frozen food consumer. Results will be reported when it is completed in the
autumn.
The gathering was also, for the sixth time, the scene of the "Cool Cup" award to German retailers with outstanding frozen food departments. Sponsored by the dti and the trade journal Rundschau für den Lebensmittelhandel it cited the winners for creativity, service, cleanliness, maintenance, variety of goods offered and energy efficiency. There were four categories: large area chain stores, large area unaffiliated stores, small area chain stores and small area unaffiliated stores. The winners, respectively, were SB Warenhaus in Gütersloh, E-Center Paschmann in Mühlheim an der Ruhr, WASGAU in Maikammern and E-Center Wehrmann in Spenge.
