October Grocery Category Insights: Meat, Deli, and Produce Drive Gains

October brought significant growth across various grocery departments, with meat, deli, and produce leading the charge, according to data from 210 Analytics and Circana.

Here’s a breakdown of key highlights from the month.

Meat Sales Surge with Red Meat Leading

Red meat bolstered the meat department, contributing to substantial increases in both pound and dollar sales. Lamb saw an 11.5% rise in pounds sold, followed by beef at 7.5% and pork at 6.1%.

Processed meats like bacon, hot dogs, and dinner sausage also performed well, driving an 8% total increase in dollar sales for the department.

Despite inflation impacting the overall grocery sector, consumer preference for in-store purchases remains strong, with 64% of shoppers exclusively buying groceries in person.

Produce and Deli Shine

Produce also experienced robust sales, particularly in fruit. Berries, grapes, and avocados were standout contributors, helping the fruit category achieve a 6.9% growth in dollar sales and a 4.9% increase in pounds sold.

The deli-prepared food category generated $5.3 billion in sales over October, with combo meals, prepared meats, and pizza leading the growth.

However, deli meats lagged due to the Boar’s Head recall, highlighting food safety’s impact on consumer habits.

Shifts in Frozen and Bakery

The frozen food category remained stable, with a modest 1.5% dollar gain and a 1% rise in unit sales. Processed frozen meats, such as chicken nuggets and sausage, stood out with a 7.9% unit increase.

Meanwhile, bakery sales were subdued, though items like donuts, croissants, and cookies saw notable growth.

Decline in Plant-Based Meat

Plant-based meat alternatives continued to struggle, with October sales down 4.8% and unit sales dropping 9.6%.

This marks a leveling off after years of double-digit declines, signaling that consumers may be less inclined toward these products.

Consumer Takeaways

While rising food prices challenge shoppers, demand for fresh and premium products like red meat and produce remains resilient.

Prepared foods also offer convenience, keeping deli items in high demand. However, the plant-based meat sector’s persistent decline suggests a shifting landscape in consumer preferences.

For grocers, focusing on quality, value, and variety across departments could make the meat and produce aisles top destinations for shoppers.

Curious about what’s driving red meat and deli sales? Explore more about consumer preferences and meat trends on our homepage.