Consequences of coronavirus: what we will no longer see on grocery store shelves - ForumDaily
The article has been automatically translated into English by Google Translate from Russian and has not been edited.
Переклад цього матеріалу українською мовою з російської було автоматично здійснено сервісом Google Translate, без подальшого редагування тексту.
Bu məqalə Google Translate servisi vasitəsi ilə avtomatik olaraq rus dilindən azərbaycan dilinə tərcümə olunmuşdur. Bundan sonra mətn redaktə edilməmişdir.

Consequences of the coronavirus: what we will no longer see on grocery store shelves

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed almost everything in our lives, and the way we shop for food is no exception. Writes about it Reader's Digest.

Photo: Shutterstock

“As consumers, we saw for the first time how fragile the supply chain is,” says Phil Lempert, founder and editor of The Lempert Report and SupermarketGuru.com. Even the big companies that make our favorite (and now hard-to-find) brands have had trouble producing and supplying to meet pandemic-level demands.

“I think we'll see a lot of brands eliminating some SKUs in the next few months,” Lempert says, referring to stock keeping units, or individual products in a brand's lineup.

In today's environment, when the goal is to get out of the store as quickly as possible, too much selection can lead to congestion. Many products and services that we have long taken for granted in grocery stores have already changed or been phased out. Some things may return eventually, though.

Unlimited quantity

Previously, we could buy as many items as we had in stock. But when the coronavirus-related quarantine began in March, people began hoarding hygiene items such as toilet paper, household cleaning products and paper towels. This has drained the supply chain, which is still catching up. This means that stores will have to set restrictions on these items for the foreseeable future.

Rainbow carrot

Before the pandemic, Bolthouse Farms offered more than a dozen varieties of carrots, and now there are fewer than four, said CEO Jeff Dunn. The company has eliminated rainbow carrots and French carrots, which come in a range of purples, reds and yellows. However, you can still buy orange carrots.

On the subject: 9 American stores that you won’t be allowed into without a mask

Self-service stations

Say goodbye, perhaps forever, to salad bars, hot food bars and any other in-store bars where customers can serve themselves, Lempert said.

“Sales there have been declining for the last five or six years anyway. And the salad tongs were never cleaned as they should have been. Now, in the era of COVID-19, we understand how important this is. “This is the death bell” for self-service stations, says Lempert.

Odwalla

Coca-Cola announced that it is discontinuing Odwalla, its line of smoothies, protein drinks and premium juices. The company says the decision is a result of "consumers are rapidly changing their preferences" and the Odwalla brand is "in constant financial trouble." Lempert says supply chain problems likely led to this decision.

XNUMX hour service

Many stores were previously open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, offering convenience to shift workers and people who enjoy nightlife. But when the pandemic hit, most stores cut their hours, and Lempert says it's unlikely we'll ever see 24-hour service again. “We don’t need this,” he says. “And in order to properly clean and organize goods, stores must be empty.”

Smucker's uncrustables

Don't panic - they won't all be lost. But J.M. Smucker Co. is discontinuing, at least temporarily, some of Smucker's reduced-fat and reduced-sugar products. This is in line with the trends Lempert sees. “A lot of people are snacking more, eating a lot more comfort foods and more foods with sugar.” Reducing our fat and sugar intake doesn't seem to be a top priority at the moment, although Lempert says it's too early to tell if this dietary change will last long.

Deli meats

The choice of cuts available in the case of meat has dwindled, in part due to outbreaks of coronavirus in meat packing plants. Meat producers were forced to temporarily close factories, while those that remained open were forced to focus on the production of more basic meat products. Add to that the fact that large orders in restaurants and schools have dropped significantly, and it's no surprise that meat suppliers have had to adapt. As a result, beef and pork production in May decreased by 25% and 15%, respectively, compared to a year earlier.

Frequent sales and promotions

Many brands, as well as some grocery chains, have stopped selling, at least for a while. Companies such as Kellogg, JM Smucker, and Mondelez International (the producer of Oreos and other snacks) have decided to end sales and promotions while the pandemic continues. The move aims to prevent overcrowding and stockpiling by consumers. Lempert says it's also difficult to arrange a sale when you don't know what will be delivered and will be on the shelves. He expects promotions to return to some extent, but not to pre-pandemic levels, noting, "It's expensive for manufacturers and supply chain costs are rising."

Touchscreens

Before the coronavirus hit our world, touchscreens were ubiquitous - popping up not only in supermarkets, but also in fast food restaurants, gas stations and airport check-in counters. On average, 350 different people flock to the supermarket checkout every day. Now that we understand the infection risk these devices pose, experts expect something—though we don't know what—to replace them. Until then, touch them with your non-dominant hand and use hand sanitizer immediately afterwards.

On the subject: 7 everyday items that are more profitable to buy in a pharmacy rather than in a store

Lean Kitchen

Nestlé announced it was discontinuing several Lean Cuisine brands, saying their sales did not cover the production slowdown they caused. “Whereas chicken is a hot commodity at the moment,” says Lempert. “The carbonara sauce in this dish is the exact opposite of healthy,” which may explain why sales are down. Frances Zelazny, chief marketing officer at Signals Analytics, says a focus on health in general and immunity in particular is driving many consumer decisions during the current crisis.

Heineken

You may no longer find your favorite Heineken beer in the refrigerator. The company has cut its assortment by 30% due to factors related to the coronavirus. Lawrence Debroux, the company's chief financial officer, said in a conference call that the social distancing measures mean fewer employees now work per shift, slowing production. Debro reportedly said the changes should be temporary, but anything is possible.

Coin Operated Baby Horses

If you, your children, or grandchildren have ever ridden a coin-driven horse near a supermarket entrance, cherish those memories. The next generation of kids may be missing out on this because of the virus and the sanitation problems it presents. In Colorado, Kroger-owned King Soopers have taken horses out of all of their stores where they have been since 1947.

Read also on ForumDaily:

5 household disinfectants that can destroy coronavirus

Is it possible to buy quality clothes for the minimum wage in the USA: the experience of an immigrant

8 items not worth buying at the Dollar Store

Arms sales skyrocket in the US: people fear the police won't protect them

22 large companies closing stores in the US due to bankruptcy

Miscellanea shop Educational program coronavirus Special Projects
Subscribe to ForumDaily on Google News

Do you want more important and interesting news about life in the USA and immigration to America? — support us donate! Also subscribe to our page Facebook. Select the “Priority in display” option and read us first. Also, don't forget to subscribe to our РєР ° РЅР ° Р »РІ Telegram  and Instagram- there is a lot of interesting things there. And join thousands of readers ForumDaily New York — there you will find a lot of interesting and positive information about life in the metropolis. 



 
1069 requests in 1,174 seconds.