The Category Catalysts Series
Special Report
BJ's Wholesale Club
At a time when families are whittling their household budgets and taking a no-frills approach to grocery shopping by strictly sticking to the essentials, companies like BJ’s Wholesale Club significantly aid shoppers that are stretching their dollar on everyday necessities. BJ's Wholesale Club is celebrating its 40th anniversary in the grocery industry this year. Founded in 1984 and headquartered in Marlborough, MA, the company is recognized as a pioneer of the warehouse club model in New England. Throughout the last four decades, BJ's has swiftly expanded its presence in the club retail channel. It currently operates 245 clubs and 180 BJ's Gas locations across 20 states, serving more than 7 million members. In its flagship New England market, BJ's boasts more than three times the number of clubs compared to other warehouse club rivals—solidifying its position as a regional and channel leader.
A leader within the membership warehouse club realm, BJ’s Wholesale Club is committed to serving communities with measurable value to its members and abiding by its mission of taking care of the families who depend on them. BJ's has secured its seat in the warehouse club channel largely due to the highly competitive, deeply discounted prices it offers to shoppers. Affordability is BJ’s top priority and it promises to save shoppers up to 25 percent on select, private label items versus traditional supermarket chains.
BJ’s provides a robust selection of products that mirror what the community expects and needs for their families. A broad variety of fresh food, produce, a full-service deli and fresh baked goods are staples of each location. Household essentials and fuel services are added facets to provide a convenient, one-stop shop for busy and efficient shoppers. BJ’s has ensured that shopping its deeply discounted prices doesn’t mean trading down on quality and dependability. Through its commitment to affordability and variety, BJ's is dedicated to meeting its members’ needs and expectations while caring for the families in the communities BJ’s stores serve.
To commemorate its 40th anniversary, BJ’s Wholesale Club launched Give 40 for 40, an initiative to award a total of $1 million in grants to local charities earlier this summer. BJ’s 34,000 team members were tapped to nominate the organizations, and grants of up to $50,000 were awarded by the BJ’s Charitable Foundation.
“For 40 years, BJ’s Wholesale Club has been committed to taking care of families in the communities where we live and work,” said Bob Eddy, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, BJ’s Wholesale Club. “Our $1 million giving program supports the charities our team members are deeply connected to, continuing our proud legacy of making a positive difference in our communities.”
In October, the BJ’s Charitable Foundation donated more than $1 million in grants to 70 community organizations on a mission to relieve hunger, care for cancer patients and advocate for athletes with disabilities. With support from local and national non-profit partnerships, the Foundation awards grants to groups that focus on hunger relief, education and health and wellness.
“BJ’s has a proud legacy of supporting the communities where we live and work,” said Eddy. “Our giving program honors our commitment to giving back and reflects the passion of our team members who care deeply about making a positive difference.”
Grant recipients included Burlington Township Food Pantry, located in Burlington, NJ. The grant will help expand food distribution, allowing the pantry to serve families in need. BJ’s distribution center team members volunteer to restock shelves and prepare food bags. In Fairlawn, OH, Stewart’s Caring Place will use the funds to support health and wellness services for residents of greater Akron who have been diagnosed with cancer. Club team members volunteer and personally contribute donations. In Tampa, FL, the Special Olympics Florida will use the grant funds to provide sports equipment, facilities updates and transportation to help athletes with disabilities excel.
In September, BJ’s opened its 245th
national club location and 38th club in Florida in Palm Coast, FL. The latest storefront falls in line with BJ’s existing locations that stock value priced everyday essentials in a one-stop shopping destination. In addition to fresh foods, produce, full-service deli items, fresh bakery goods, household essentials, home décor and pet supplies, the location houses a BJ's Gas station. “We are ready to save our newest members up to 25 percent off grocery store prices every day,” said Aaron Meldofsky, Club Manager, Palm Coast BJ’s Wholesale Club. “We’re looking forward to taking care of families who depend on us.”
The company recently announced financial results for the 13 and 26 weeks that ended on Aug. 3, 2024.BJ’s Wholesale Club second quarter performance was marked by robust membership, accelerating traffic and unit growth and a fast-tracking digital business. “This was our 10th consecutive quarter of traffic growth,” Eddy said. “We are driving healthy membership expansion across both existing and new clubs. Our compelling value proposition is resonating with our members and we believe our results demonstrate the meaningful progress we are making on our long term strategic initiatives. I am proud of our team members for their continued dedication to our purpose of ‘taking care of the families who depend on us’. We will continue to invest in the long term success of our company, and we remain excited about our future.”
Leadership highlighted several boons during the second fiscal quarter including comparable club sales increased by 3 percent year-over-year and comparable club sales, excluding gasoline sales, increased by 2.4 percent year-over-year. Meanwhile, digitally enabled comparable sales growth was at 22 percent yearover-year and membership fee revenue increased by 9 percent year-over-year to $113.1 million.
For 40 years, BJ's has taken care of its community members through food security, fair prices and grant funding. The company is on track to continue serving its members and expanding its national reach through mindful store openings.
37,000,000,000,000
Special Report
Cooking Oils
As consumers continue to grapple with increased cost of groceries across categories, there is a heightened interest in private label equivalents that have traditionally carried a lower price tag than name brand goods. According to the 2024 Private Label Report presented by the Private Label Manufacturers Association, total store brand dollar sales in 2023 hit $236.3 billion, which is a $10.1 billion increase from the previous year. The report indicated that the shortening/oil category alone saw $2.5 billion in sales, representing dollar sales growth of 13.7 percent. With continued healthy demand for private label cooking oils, manufacturers are focused on strengthening their partnerships on both the supply side as well as with distribution, bolstering production capabilities and finding ways to pass cost savings on to end consumers.
Earlier this spring, Catania Oils reported a strong start to the year. “Newly acquired business is fueling new growth at higher rates than the past few years,” said SVP of Global Sales Mark Coleman. “As buyers are looking for lower prices to offset these inflationary times, private brands continue to dominate the conversation and shelf space. Just seven short years ago, wall to wall private brand store penetration was averaging just around 17 percent here in the US. Today that number has spiked to 24 percent.”
The increased penetration is in part a reflection of a newer demographic of consumers who have not grown up under the impression that only national brands represent top-tier quality, he said. “The consumer is looking for ways to save money in these tough economic times and private brands have been that shining star by offering not only lower prices versus the national brands but also increased quality.”
The cooking oils section of grocery didn’t always look this integrated. “Retailers have grown in the area of merchandising private brands throughout the store,” Coleman said. “Throughout the pandemic as national brands could not handle the volume increases as needed, the wholesaler and retailer utilized private brands to not only secure
additional end cap display space, but also filling empty space on the shelf itself. Retailers have seized on national brand fulfillment issues and have grown the respective categories and market share. Cross merchandising of private brands in different store departments is also a driving force to increase share. I see olive oil displays in produce departments, infused oils in bread sections and vegetable oils merchandised within baking displays. [These are] mostly private brands.”
Being a reliable supplier for partners in times of shortage has been a point of pride for Catania Oils, and the company continues to work on its supply side infrastructure to ensure it is ready to meet all demand. In 2023, it purchased a warehouse to increase capacity. “One thing that the Covid era taught us was to stop chasing customer orders and get ahead of that with a new ‘Go To Market’ strategy,” he said. “Catania Oils will strengthen its customer relationships by keeping more floor stock for the companies that will truly partner with Catania, thus offering reduced order lead-time. This will create a win-win for both parties.”
In 2024, Catania has been working on bringing value to its partners and consumers. “Managing our supply chain has taken center stage since the Covid era, as inflationary measures are wreaking havoc throughout the industry,” he said. “With olive oil prices at all-time highs, Catania Oils is introducing more olive oil blends to the category. Blends like an extra virgin olive oil blended with a non-GMO expeller pressed canola oil will help lower the cost and keep the olive oil consumer ‘in the category.’”
Name brand olive oils acknowledge the high olive oil prices as well. At the same time, they also note that olive oil penetration in the US continues to grow and are focused on usage education to encourage higher adoption and sales.
“The majority of price increases in the olive oil category are related to weather conditions in Spain and supply shortage,” said Mouna Aissaoui, Co-CEO of Pompeian. “While Spain is the largest producer of olive oil in the world, there are other places to grow olives, though
we must address that what happens in Spain dictates global market trends. Brands that implement multi-country sourcing models are often better off, as they’re able to offset crop declines in one specific country, while maintaining high quality and supply for consumers.”
Despite the price increases, Aissaoui said demand has not decreased and attributes continued sales to several factors. “We know consumers are seeing inflation across the board in grocery, not just olive oil, making the increases feel somewhat more digestible,” she said. “Since olive oil is not as frequently purchased as other more perishable ingredients, many can feel comfortable sticking to purchasing olive oil as it is needed, even with higher costs. Also, health continues to be a leading factor in purchase decisions, and olive oil remains the healthiest option among cooking fats.”
Asiltane Olive Oil is similarly pressing on the health attributes of olive oil. “With the rising health-conscious consumers, the priorities started to change in the cooking oil category where consumers want a brand that can guarantee both high-quality and healthy choice,” said Co-Founder and CEO Hasan Istikbal.
Aissaoui notes a steady category loyalty from the US consumer. “Specifically for olive oil, the consumer opportunity remains immense within the United States. With a 40.1 percent household penetration level, there remains a very large subset of households that have not yet become olive oil shoppers, so we will continue to prove the value of olive oil through education and increasing awareness to grow our consumer base. Getting olive oil in the hands of new consumers so they can experience the different usage occasions firsthand will help to continue the growth of olive oil consumption in the US.”
For several reasons, that olive oil could very well be a private label brand as well. “Private brand growth is without a doubt the most exciting aspect of the cooking oil category,” said Coleman. “The US has come a long way towards what the penetration levels are in Europe, which is over 40 percent.”
Your one-stop shop for private brand edible oils:
•National brand equivalent extra virgin olive oil
•Specialty oils & oil blends
•Innovative packaging solutions
•Certified Non-GMO, USDA Organic, Kosher & Halal oils to give your customer confidence in your products
•Plus foodservice options for grocerant & cafe concepts Visit us at cataniaoils.com and
Special Report
2025 Tradeshow Preview
Industry players are following up on leads and tying up loose ends as the 2024 tradeshow calendar is coming to a close. They will soon be turning the corner on 2025 where a whole slew of trade events has already been lined up to help manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, retailers and advocacy organizations alike make the connections that are so vital to building and sustaining a strong business in 2025 and beyond.
Winter Fancy Food Show
First on the 2025 calendar is the Winter Fancy Food Show taking place Jan. 19 through Jan. 21 in Las Vegas. Last year, more than 13,000 people representing 36 countries, including 1,052 total exhibitors, attended the 2024 event to scope out the latest products, trends and brands.
“‘New’ is king and as the first food show of the year, we have a unique opportunity and responsibility to showcase the newest ideas, trends and emerging brands/products coming to market,” said Leana Salamah, SVP of Marketing and Communications for the Specialty Food Association. “This year we are honoring that by not only launching our dedicated ‘Debut District’ at the Winter Show, where first-time exhibitors and past exhibitors with new products to show off, can exhibit. We will also have a ‘First Taste Experience’ Food Hall right on the show floor that will change up each of the three show days with a different theme, but exclusively demonstrating new-to-market products each day.”
The campaign this cycle is ‘First it was Fancy,’ said Salamah. “The number of products that come up through the Fancy Food Shows and go on to gain ubiquity in the consumer household is staggering,” she said. “From hot honey to kombucha, from bubble tea to bone broth—even matcha and charcuterie— all were Fancy before they were mainstream. It speaks to the role of the Fancy Food Shows as a harbinger of consumer tastes, values and preferences to come.”
NFRA Executive Conference
The National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA) hosts its 33rd annual NFRA Executive Conference April 6 through April 9 in Tempe,
AZ. The gathering brings frozen and refrigerated industry professionals together to discuss the most recent trends, challenges and opportunities facing the industry.
Attendees of the 2024 gathering valued expert insights on ways to navigate the evolving retail landscape, particularly regarding digital transformation and omnichannel strategies, according to President and CEO Tricia Greyshock. “Discussions on adapting to rapidly changing consumer behaviors, including the shift towards health-conscious and convenience-oriented products, were well received,” she said. “The diverse networking opportunities, including structured sessions and informal social gatherings, were consistently highlighted as a key benefit of attendance.”
Each year’s conference is structured around several areas of focus, said Greyshock, including:
• Challenges and opportunities specific to dairy and frozen
• Advancements in technology and the impact it will have on our categories
• Strategies to meet evolving consumer demands, particularly in health, convenience and global flavors
“Our goal is to provide attendees with actionable insights and thought-provoking content they can leverage back in the office to drive growth,” she said. Sweets & Snacks Expo
Next year’s Sweets & Snacks Expo is slated to take place May 13 through May 15 in Indianapolis, IN.
Carly Schildhaus, spokesperson for the event, reflected on this year’s show. “During our first year in our new home in Indianapolis, we saw sustained and growing enthusiasm for the Sweets & Snacks Expo—proving that it is the right city to meet the growing demands for our show and enable us to continue to provide the innovation, insights and connections that our industries want and need. We worked closely with our strategic partners in Indianapolis and look forward to continuing our work together.”
The Sweets & Snacks Expo simply offers a one-of-a-kind experience in sampling the innovation in the con-
fectionery and snack industries, Schildhaus said. “As just one example, the Most Innovative New Product Awards (MINPA) allows exhibitors to have their products evaluated by the largest and most prominent retailers in the world, and we’re so proud of the fact that MINPA has become a launchpad for a lot of today’s most innovative brands. Additionally, there is unparalleled opportunity to engage in networking and education. Sweets & Snacks Expo creates a vibrant, shared space to foster deeper connections among manufacturers, suppliers and retail partners, and the show features education sessions led by the industry’s foremost experts and thought leaders. All of this combined enables Sweets & Snacks Expo to have wide-reaching marketplace influence and deep cultural relevance, making it a vital part of any candy or snack company’s strategy.”
IDDBA
The 2025 gathering for the International Dairy Deli Bakery Association (IDDBA) is taking place June 1 through June 3 in New Orleans. It follows a successful 2024 show that saw more than 2,200 exhibitor booths, 10,000 registered attendees and a dynamic speaker lineup that included José Andrés and Chip and Joanna Gaines.
“We were thrilled to continue to hear that the IDDBA show truly is the space for buyers and sellers to connect,” said Whitney Atkins, VP of Marketing and Membership. “I was recently speaking to someone from a member company who has attended many of the IDDBA shows. One thing he pointed out to me was that he was closing a deal with a retailer that he met at a previous IDDBA. Connecting people and supporting those relationships is pivotable to the work IDDBA does. The need for trends, data and education continues to be top priority for attendees. We continue to enhance the show experience by offering educational What’s in Store Live workshops, retail tours and Tuesday forums. Our most impactful general sessions are those that provide expert data, trends and actionable go to market strategies for the next three to five years.”
2024 Category Catalysts
Energy Drinks: CELSIUS
CELSIUS, long a leader in the fitness beverages category, has continued to broaden the company's consumer base. With more and more energy drink consumers seeking better for you offerings and drinks that fit their preferred lifestyle, CELSIUS is the leading growth driver in the overall energy drinks category in 2024. Under John Fieldly's leadership, CELSIUS has expanded its presence and remixed its product offerings to appeal to a broader consumer base—particularly consumers who are interested in adopting healthier eating and lifestyle routines. This strategy has allowed for the brand to significantly thrive in the saturated beverage market.
“We were not really perceived as a beverage that belonged in the energy category,” Fieldly said. “We would get messages from buyers when I started here that CELSIUS was a fitness drink, and we belonged in the sports and diet and nutrition set. It took a long time to break through, and as health and wellness trends get stronger, we were able to move into the beverage set.”
“We were still what’s called a newage product; they usually put you in the lower bottom corner of any plan-ogram during that time,” he elaborated. “But as fitness and wellness trends continued to get broader and CELSIUS continued to build more brand awareness within the fitness community, we’ve been able to position the brand where we are today with an 11 share in the energy drinks category playing at the highest level. The changing of the tides and trends have driven the category bringing in new consumers. It’s an ex-
citing time.”
Considering how highly competitive the nature of the fitness beverages category is, Fieldly conceded it has been difficult to stand out from the crowd— particularly when you compete in the beverages industry.
“I was at BevNET, and they were talking about how there are more than 5,000 brands that come to market every year and less than 10 percent of those will make it to $10 million in sales,” he said. “And of those 10 percent that make $10 million in sales, 10 percent of those will make it to $100 million. And of those 10 percent,1 percent of those will make it to $1 billion in revenue. It's highly competitive. At this point, we must continuously differentiate ourselves as truly this fitness lifestyle brand which provides this better-foryou, essential energy for life inside and outside the gym. It’s inspiring people to achieve their goals by being the most refreshing energy beverage on the market. As a brand that has a 98 percent ACV, it’s an important attribute as we continue to move forward within the category.”
CELSIUS has proven the naysayers wrong. Instead of folding as most burgeoning beverage companies have in the past, CELSIUS instead appealed to consumers and became an inclusive and universal drink that helps people put cleaner and healthier ingredients in their bodies.
“Early on, some people didn’t believe in CELSIUS,” Fieldly said. “However, the consumers believed, and when consumers believe, retailers will react to
consumption trends. What we’re seeing now within the category is that CELSIUS is leading this new age world of energy. Consumers want more. They’re demanding more from the foods and drinks they have. We’re hitting on the flavor profiles, we’re hitting on the functionality, we’re hitting on that fitness lifestyle which is so important especially to all of us in a post-Covid world. And we’re inclusive; we’re not aggressive. We’re universal. You can have a CELSIUS on the back nine of the golf course; you can have a CELSIUS before your next hard-core workout at your Gold’s Gym. You can have a CELSIUS before your job interview at work; it really fits multiple facets. We’re big in universities and hospitals as well; we’re helping college students study, we’re helping first responders to get through their late night shift. The product is really resonating with that broader consumer base more than ever before. What’s also interesting is that since we joined with Pepsi, we are now in Jersey Mike’s and are starting to expand within fast casual dining.”
“We are growing the consumption occasions for energy drinks with our great-tasting, refreshing products,” he added. “You see it a lot at the office; people are drinking CELSIUS with their lunch. And that’s unusual for our category. What we’re seeing with CELSIUS is that it crosses into other categories including food service. There’s a bigger, broader play here, and it shows that we are truly differentiating in the category, reaching new consumer segments and usage occasions.”
2024 Category Catalysts
Sour Candies: Candy Dynamics
The sour candies space is home to candy innovation, as the space has grown in popularity due to companies like Candy Dynamics’ groundbreaking candy offerings that have taken the category to places it would have never ventured otherwise. Candy Dynamics has been capitalizing on the various opportunities within the category to present unique and delicious sour candy options that bring about a sense of nostalgia, create a mindful and present atmosphere for those who need it while also providing a unique and fun way to experience sour candies.
“The sour candy category will continue to be a staple for consumers, especially those in Gen Z or Gen Alpha. In a time when so many areas of their lives look the same (homes, cars, stores, etc.) the confectionery industry, especially the sour category, offers consumers a chance to escape the expected and dive into something exciting,” said Haley Peyron, Marketing Manager with Candy Dynamics.
Candy Dynamics was able to fill a white space in the market by trailing off the traditional candy path and entering new territory.
“The Toxic Waste brand as a whole was groundbreaking when first entering the market. No other brand attempted the extreme branding that we did; it was something that caused difficulty early on but has now become an industry standard with many other sour products attempting to emulate our brand. Looking through new sour innovations in the industry, you will see similar elements from the Toxic Waste brand, including hazard stripes. The hazard stripes are a trademark owned by the Toxic Waste brand in the confectionery category meaning no other company can use them in their packaging or advertising,” Peyron said.
“While there were other sour candy brands at the time, we saw a gap in the market for a product that would start sour and stay sour all the way through. The unique double-action sour of Toxic Waste Hazardously Sour Candy makes it a leader in the category for truly how sour the candy is. Our brand was founded on the desire for a candy so sour that kids would love it, and parents/relatives couldn’t handle it, hence the name ‘Toxic Waste.’”
Candy Dynamics has continued to
recognize the company brings a special and specific product and element to the sour candies category.
“Customers look to us as the benchmark for innovation in the sour category,” Peyron mentioned in a previous interview. “Our reputation as a trusted leader in the industry gives customers confidence in our products. This trust and recognition extend beyond our brand, positively impacting up-andcoming brands and innovative products in the market. They are more inclined to explore new brands and products that align with our standards and values. We do see some brand acquisitions in the industry, but our core objective at Candy Dynamics remains focused on innovation and product development within our product range.”
By positioning themselves as a reliably innovative and fun brand with a finger firmly on the pulse of what is most likely going to resonate with young people, a dominant demographic, Candy Dynamics is showing that ‘sour’ is by no means a two-dimensional attribute and that there are countless untapped ways to innovate within the category to the delight of consumers of all ages.
2024 Category Catalysts
Breakfast Sandwiches: Swaggerty's
With approximately 94 years of operation, Swaggerty’s Farms has been ensuring that consumers are receiving high-quality sausage products with savory flavor profiles that can be added to breakfast sandwiches or as a side to a nutritional breakfast. The company has been committed to continuing Founder Lonas Swaggerty’s mission to provide premium sausage with superior taste and versatility, which has been carried out for four generations. The company’s mission started during the Great Depression and food was at an all-time low, and Swaggerty’s has continued to make good on that promise since its inception.
“Since 1930, this company has taken great pride in our quality and processes,” said Swaggerty’s Sausage Co. Chief Operating Officer Jon Amidei. “We know you can't sustain more than 90 years in business without being a reliable supplier and building lasting relationships. Our quality standards start at the top and cascade to every department within the company. As we evolve in the category we grow our partnerships and strengthen our relationships, which has allowed us to collaborate and create new items. Additionally, we strive
to continuously be a reliable supplier. Our shipping department is impeccable and ships with an over 99.4 percent order-fill rate. We have thorough, friendly and personable customer service. And as a family-owned and operated company, we have direct control of the quality of products and our process. We care about our product and our people and are making decisions for the longterm benefit of the organization. With our fourth generation in leadership and training today, we look forward to the future for continued success and growth.”
Swaggerty’s has been an innovator from the beginning. The company has remained ahead of its time by providing premium sausage with unrivaled flavor profiles.
“We're continuously looking for ways to improve and innovate. We're always interested in conversations with partners that welcome growth and new opportunities for all parties. At the moment, we are collaborating with several partners and have innovative projects in the works for the near future,” Amidei said.
“There is a home for both ‘snack-size’ and larger-size breakfast sandwiches as
they serve distinctly different consumers. The snack size is aligned with children, or a quick on-the-run breakfast before school or a healthy snack after school. The larger size sandwiches have broader appeal for a teen-child or an adult in a meal hunger state,” said Doug Skeoch, National Sales Manager.
Alongside this, “There still is a ‘base level’ of items that make up a large portion of the category. Items that include varieties of biscuit, croissant and muffin offerings but also with new unique product components. Case in point is Swaggerty's Farm waffle items in sausage and chicken varieties that are taking advantage of the popularity of those items in niche diners and breakfast establishments,” Skeoch said.
Swaggerty’s Farms long ago made a name for itself with its premium sausages. Its continued longevity and success comes down to the astute attention that company leaders have paid to how to continue bringing unrivaled taste and quality to new consumers with flavor profiles and formats that suit their evolving tastes. Swaggerty’s nimble leadership in the category serves as an example for other companies on how to build and maintain a legacy.
American Family Owned and Operated.
2024 Category Catalysts
Dips: Yo Quiero!
Nottoo long ago, dips were typically found at a grocer’s center chips aisle, but Fresh Innovations has been pioneering the move to the refrigerated section since its inception in the early 2000s. While the company started with guacamole, it has stretched its repertoire far and wide to celebrate the flavors of its Texas roots. Whether its salsa, bean dips, queso or its new sour cream dips, Fresh Innovations continues to develop attention-grabbing flavors and formats to serve both the end consumers looking to liven up their next social gathering as well as its retail partners who want to create and sustain a vibrant fresh dips destination in their stores.
“Our team at Fresh Innovations/Yo Quiero! Brands started the guacamole category back in the early 2000s,” said Tara Murray, VP of Marketing. “Now, there are many brands and companies providing products for that space. When we re-entered the guacamole category in 2019, we decided to develop not only amazing, fresh tasting guacamole, but we also wanted to disrupt the dip category and create a destination of top quality, better-for-you dip options that retailers and consumers have not seen. Our Dip Destination includes: guacamole, salsa, elote, bean dips, corn salsas, escabeche and a variety of quesos and brand new sour cream dips. This destination allows the deli and produce
departments to create large, exciting sections in their stores to engage consumers and drive sales. Our retail partners have seen great success when they bring in our destination of items.”
Murray explained the idea of the Ultimate Dip Destination. “Fresh Innovations, LLC/Yo Quiero! Brands provide products that allow retailers to create dip sections in their departments that drive excitement, engagement and sales because consumers are constantly looking for better-for-you items that provide flavor, nutrient benefits and satiety. Our line of delicious dips check all of these boxes.”
Fresh Innovations is one of the only avocado forward dip companies to offer such a wide array of fresh tasting, top quality dips for the produce and deli sections, said Murray. “We are a onestop ‘destination’ for retailers and consumers. The retailers have one place to call for all their dip needs, and the consumers have one place, in-store, to get their dips. It’s a win-win!”
Continuing to serve as a leader in the dips category is a point of pride. “We’ve gone to market with great products such as a crisp and flavorful corn salsa, an avocado and egg spread that is perfect for breakfast toasts and a creamy black bean dip loaded with fiber and flavor,” said Murray. “And besides flavors, we are constantly innovating our packaging. We have a dual packaging strate-
gy that allows our products to meet the needs of both produce and deli buyers and in 2025, we will be launching a line of 4-oz Grab & Go items that will be perfect for convenience store shelves. Our team of innovative, industry leaders are constantly assessing and looking toward the future as we build and create products and packaging for the marketplace.”
The avocado and egg spread, in particular, reflects the company’s fastidious attention to market trends. “The hot topic for this year is protein,” Murray said. “How do we bring high quality protein items to the department that are nutrient dense, low in saturated fats and make consumers feel good inside and out? Our new Yo Quiero! Avocado & Egg spread fits this bill. Not only is the product loaded with hard boiled eggs for protein and amino acids, but it also has hand-scooped avocados which provide natural fiber and good fats. The Avocado & Egg spread is perfect for onthe-go consumers looking for a great, nutrient dense way to top their toast, bagel or just eat with a spoon.”
Fresh Innovations’ leadership in the category is guided by its vision to bring fresh and tasty crowd favorites to consumers. Underscoring its successes, however, is its strong commitment to supporting its retail partners with offerings that entice trial and sales, which supports everyone’s goals.
You came (to North America’s most comprehensive pet product marketplace). You saw (the latest, greatest pet products). You conquered (your business challenges). And we can’t wait for you to keep that momentum going next year! Thank you for helping to make SUPERZOO the incredible, fun-filled event that it is. We look forward to seeing you in 2025!
August 13-15, 2025
Education: August 12-13, 2025
Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, NV
18,000+
Pet professionals participate, including:
10,000 buyers—the most in
3,300+ buying companies 1,000+ exhibitors
Largest Industry Show Floor
330,000 square footage