Introduction
Faced with increasing competition from traditional c-stores, forecourt retailers have to more responsive to developments in shop product lines. A recent development is the stocking of low-carbohydrate products in response to the Atkins diet and other similar diets. This case profile provides details of this trend and outlines how forecourt players are advised to respond to it.
Scope of this report
- An examination of the key trends that are driving growth in the low-carbohydrate sector
- Insight into the manufacturers, retailers and food service providers that are developing and supplying low-carbohydrate products
- A market-specific assessment of whether low-carbohydrate products can and should be offered by the forecourt shop
Research and analysis highlights
Increasingly retailers are offering Atkins branded products, are developing low-carbohydrate labels or are modifying packaging to higlight low-carbohydrate ingredients. The entrance of multinational manufacturers such as Unilever, Heinz, Sara Lee, Nestle and PepsiCo into the sector has made low-carbohydrate products even more accessible
Food service companies, including Subway Sandwich, Pret a Manger and Burger King, have innovated due to the low-carbohydrate phenomenon. This is pertinent for forecourt retailers as they are increasingly offering hot food and beverages at service counters within the shop, often through joint ventures
The UK and Australian forecourt shop market is primed for growth within the next 12 months, and in Europe, territories displaying good potential for the sector's development include Germany, the Netherlands and Scandinavia. Forecourt retailers in markets such as Spain, Italy and France can simply overlook the trend towards low-carbohydrate dieting
Key reasons to read this report
- Brainstorm a topic which has had a huge impact on food retailing and explore the response of supermarkets, manufacturers and food service providers
- Stay one step ahead of your forecourt competitors by understanding the longer-term development of obesity and low-carbohydrate diets
- Maintain pace with supermarkets and other c-store operators by stocking the products that truly matter, in the markets where they have most potential
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION
- Introduction
- What is this case profile about?
- Who is the target reader?
- How to use this case profile
CHAPTER 2 ASSESSING THE OPPORTUNITY
- Introduction
- Key findings
- The rise in obesity
- Why a low-carbohydrate solution?
- Enter, Dr Robert Atkins
- Explaining the popularity of the Atkins diet
- The negative aspects of low-carbohydrate diets
- Conclusions
CHAPTER 3 SEIZING THE INNOVATION
- Introduction
- Key findings
- Manufacturer, retailer and food service provider rolled into one
- Atkins Nutritionals
- Atkins products currently available in the UK
- The response of manufacturers
- Soft drinks
- Alcoholic beverages
- Confectionary
- Functional food
- Savoury snacks
- Bread, baked goods and cereals
- Dairy and deserts
- Sauces and condiments
- Pasta
- The response of food service companies
- TGI Fridays
- Subway Sandwich
- Wimpy
- Burger King
- McDonalds
- Pret a Manger
- Benjy's
- Boots
- The response of retailers
- Tesco (Tesco Express on Esso forecourts)
- Sainsbury's (Sainsbury's Local on Shell forecourts)
- Asda
- Safeway (Morrisons)
- Somerfield
- Waitrose
- Marks and Spencer
- Superdrug
- Holland & Barrett
- Conclusions
CHAPTER 4 FORECOURT FEASIBILITY STUDY
- Introduction
- Key findings
- Assessing forecourt feasibility
- Level of obesity
- Dietry culture
- Level of forecourt shop development
- Product availability
- Forecourt feasibility assessment
- Conclusions
CHAPTER 5 APPENDIX
- Other available products
List of Tables
- Table 1: Prevalence of obesity in Europe, the US and Australia
List of Figures
- Figure 1: Prevalence of obesity in Europe, the US and Australia
- Figure 2: The Atkins Lifestyle Food Guide Pyramid
- Figure 3: Michelob Ultra is proving to be a popular low-carbohydrate alternative in the UK and the US
- Figure 4: Doritos Edge offers a low-carbohydrate alternative
- Figure 5: Nimble Carbs So Low enables slimmers to include bread in their diet
- Figure 6: Yoplait Ultra has entered the yoghurt market as a low-carb alterative
- Figure 7: TGI Friday low-carb options (www.tgifridays.co.uk)
- Figure 8: The feasibility of offering low-carbohydrate products in the forecourt store