Mike Hohnen

Coaching for personal growth, change and development

Blog Page

Ready meals, accounting for 49 per cent of all sales in UK

By

21/11/03 –
Britain is set to remain the biggest European market for ready meals, accounting for more than half the total market by 2007, when it will be worth over £5 billion, according to a new report from market analysts Datamonitor.

The report, Consumer Trends in Prepared Meals, shows that the UK is already by far the biggest market in Europe for ready meals, accounting for 49 per cent of all sales. Second-placed France has a mere 20 per cent, followed by Germany with 14 per cent.

Datamonitor said that despite growing consumer concerns relating to health problems, such as the high salt content of many ready meals, growth in the market shows no sign of abating. With Britons working some of the longest hours in Europe, and with increasing disposable incomes allowing them to spend more on leisure time in compensation, ready meals play an important role in catering to cash rich, time poor consumers [Read more…] about Ready meals, accounting for 49 per cent of all sales in UK

Why does Avis score so well on customer loyalty versus Hertz?

By

Reply from Scott Deaver, chief marketing officer of Avis:

Well, a couple of things work in our favor. One is, Avis is more focused on excellence in customer service than any company I’ve ever worked for. And I mean focused. Everybody thinks about customer service all the time. Everybody’s measured for it. People are dead serious about fixing the things that are wrong and making the good things even better. That focus really does pay off in a better customer experience.

The second thing is, if you dig into research about Avis and Hertz, what you find is that Hertz tends to get credit for high-tech products and innovation. Avis tends to get credit for “people” values. One of the things that enables us to at least go toe-to-toe with Hertz is that we’re focused on those values. We’re true to them. We build in that brand space. We’ve got that real, unique and differentiated position in the car-rental market that gives us a lot of strength. [Read more…] about Why does Avis score so well on customer loyalty versus Hertz?

Lunchtimedeals.com Saving New Yorkers Money on Lunch

By

Lunchtimedeals.com is a simple, real-time, target marketing service for restaurants in the NYC area. Lunchtimedeals.com advertise restaurants? specials, coupons and menus by sending out daily lunch specials and deals to the users of the site.

One of the most difficult questions faced by hungry employees, professionals and tourist is deciding where to eat lunch without digging too deep in their pockets. Many just wander around until they find a restaurant or deli. With lunchtimedeals.com, lunch deals are delivered directly in the user?s email account every morning. All they have to do is print the email and take it to the restaurants where they will save big on their lunch.

Restaurants benefit essentially from the site because it is location based so their specials and coupons are sent directly to users who are in their vicinity. The site also features the restaurant?s menu, accepted credit card, delivery options and other helpful information.

The team at Lunchtimedeals.com believes that the site will become the one stop for all New Yorkers searching for great deals and specials at lunch time.

Consumption of on-the-go is rising rapidly throughout Europe

By

Even in France, a country known for its long and relaxed eating occasions, consumption of on-the-go food and drink products is already above the European average and set to increase, a Datamonitor report suggests.

Finding healthy and nutritious products when on-the-go, however, proves extremely difficult for many. Some 41 per cent of the French population is overweight or obese, the report says, and although consumers are increasingly aware of the need to change their diet, the increase in eating on-the-go impairs their ability to maintain healthy diets. [Read more…] about Consumption of on-the-go is rising rapidly throughout Europe

Souperb … is all about great soup of course

By

New soup concepts are emerging in many different forms. My latest discovery is the Swedish concept Souperb. They supply restaurants and cafees whole sales and also have their own outlet in Gallaria ? a mall in the center of Stockholm.

Menu:
– Saffron Seafood Soup
– Green Curry Chicken Soup
– Roasted Tomato Soup
– Tandoori Chicken Soup
– Classic Vegetable Soup
– Creamy Seafood Soup
– Souperb Seasonal Soup
– Sweet Beef Tokyo
– Hot Chicken Bangkok
– Spicy Chicken Bombay
– Creamy Seafood Panang

The concept is well suited for malls, airports railway stations and other travelsumer situations.

Photo and weblink click more [Read more…] about Souperb … is all about great soup of course

Pickerman?s The Original Soup Cafe

By

image

Home base: Cedar Falls, Iowa
Units: 40 original; 1 new prototype
Seats: 50 to 70
Check average: $7
Average unit volume: $875,000
Growth plans: 3 more in 2003, then controlled growth through multi-unit operators
Web site: www.pickermans.com
Why watch it?: Innovative dinner offerings and soup focus should bode well for business.

Pickerman?s The Original Soup Cafe?the new, fast-casual incarnation of Pickerman?s Soup and Sandwich Shop?kicks menu and atmosphere up a notch to keep customers coming in both noon and night.

[Read more…] about Pickerman?s The Original Soup Cafe

Supermarket industry gears up….

By

As away-from-home meal spending continues to intensify, the supermarket industry gears up.

With “quick” and “convenient” the latest bywords, shoppers are increasingly choosing time over money, especially at mealtime. Whether it’s picking up a pizza on the way home from work, ordering takeout from a local eatery, or swinging by the supermarket deli, consumers are eating more meals away from home than ever before.

And if the latest government research proves correct, we ain’t seen nothing yet. According to a U.S. Dept. of Agriculture report, Food Expenditures by U.S. Households: Looking Ahead to 2020, consumer spending on away-from-home meals will increase 8.1 percent over the next two decades, good news indeed for the nation’s existing successful prepared foods leaders.

Source: Progressive Grocer 10/15/2003