As the Hispanic population in the U.S. continues to grow, so will the need for more and more grocers to offer meat options that fit this segment of the customers. The question is, will you be ready to serve these customers with the right selections and cuts?
Typically, Hispanics consume more fresh meat in-home, but research shows they feel they typically can’t find the variety or cuts of meat needed in their local grocery store. However, Hispanics still spend an average of $175 more per year on fresh at traditional retailers. Potential meat concentration could be 25-30 percent of store sales when capturing the buying power of the Hispanic consumer.
The dollars are certainly there for the having, but how do AWG retailers tap into that massive buying power of an expanding Hispanic customer base? Here are four ways:
- Offer a wider variety of thinner cuts. Hispanic customers generally look for thin, flat cuts that can be used in traditional dishes with traditional cooking methods. The good news is AWG has trained meat specialists that can help assist your meat department with these items and case schematics.
- Offer pre-cut items with authentic flavors. Think carne asada, steak strip, and milanesa (pan-fried breaded steak). There are currently marinated beef, pork, and chicken items available through AWG and the varieties will only continue to grow.
- Lower value cuts have shown to perform well with Hispanic customers. There is a full variety of these items in beef and pork offered through AWG in fresh, frozen, and smoked.
- Don’t forget that customers can benefit from bilingual signage. Allowing customers to easily read what’s available and navigate your meat section will only make them more likely to buy.
