Past, Present & Future
Another view can be found by looking at archived records from previous years, showing how the market reacted to various changes in pricing or sup-ply. By examining data from 48 or 50 weeks ago, buyers and sellers can get an idea of what to expect within the next several weeks going forward. This comprehensive coverage has an impact across multiple industry sectors, truly from ‘farm to fork’—as the choices made by consumers have a direct bearing on the business decisions of growers, importers, shippers, marketers, transporters, and retailers.
Since retail data is the closest link to the ultimate consumer in the marketing chain, Market News provides an invaluable tool for all sectors to measure, analyze, anticipate, and react to trends in consumer preferences.
For example, growers can better plan what, how much, and when to plant crops by following the consumer buying trends illuminated by the National Retail Report–Specialty Crops. Simi-larly, importers can study consumer trends to better predict the type and volume of produce they will need to meet demand during a given period of time (i.e., holidays and special promotions).
For shippers seeking the best time to promote product for the next season, they might research which items were competing for ad space during the past year as an indicator for the next. They can see how many stores featured these products in their advertising, and even where the product came from. Trans-porters can then better map out their needs for personnel and vehicles, and try to predict the freight pricing the market will bear.
Honing Retail Buying & Selling Strategies
The National Retail Report–Specialty Crops can help retailers with both procurement and marketing strategies, unique to their operations, based on their size and the demographics they serve. The report can also assist retailers in determining what price positions to take during negotiations with suppliers when buying produce for their ad specials.
Once buyers have locked in a supplier and pricing, they can then use Market News’ retail reporting to help set their own pricing for advertising to consumers. Because of the different types of procurement strategies in use, ad prices can differ rather dramatically.
Size, Timing & Pricing
Large, multistate retail chains often plan their ad flyers up to six months in advance, many with predetermined sale prices for specific items. Their buying costs are often fixed in long-term contracts with suppliers, and the ad prices are set firmly early in the process.
