The bakery department is undergoing a dramatic shift in priorities and strategies in the post-pandemic world.

Jonna Parker, fresh foods team lead at Circana, has been closely monitoring shifts of consumer shopping patterns. She highlights several key trends that are reshaping the grocery industry.

“Relevance and experience are now as important as quality,” Parker said during a recent online presentation.

The post-pandemic world has certainly shifted customer purchasing habits. According to research cited by GTI Designs, c-stores and markets have witnessed increased sales for grab-and-go options every year since the pandemic hit, along with a marked increase in overall quality of products.

With the demand for higher quality grab-and-go products on the rise, the necessity for higher quality and varied display solutions has increased as well. GTI Designs reports grab-and-go displays come in many styles, sizes, and temperatures. Finding the right set of grab-and-go merchandisers is an integral part of creating or adding on to your concept.

GTI Designs recently introduced five new display cases to its lineup, ranging from straight glass refrigerated displays for pastries or prepared foods, to new takes on old favorites, such as ItalCart P.

BRIO is their new entry-level gelato and ice cream display case. With a space efficient design, and options for 6, 7, or 9 flavors, this equipment is great for any concept that wants to add frozen desserts to the menu.

The EDEN is a modern refrigerated display case, offered in multiple sizes. It is great for pastries, cakes, prepared foods, and beverages. There are up to three shelves for a large product capacity.

The ROSE is the ideal display for frozen cakes, popsicles, and novelties. With multiple sizes, and three temperature regulated shelves, it offers a great way for gelaterias, bakeries, and ice cream shops to increase their earning potential.

Traditional “low profile” displays

For impulse buy opportunities at check-out, traditional displays can be easily worked into your counter, according to GTI Designs. They create an instantly visible merchandiser for anything from beverages and snacks to sandwiches and salads. Models such as Vista and Daisy are great examples of traditional grab-and-go displays.

The Vista display case boasts a space saving, multipurpose solution. An exemplary display case for pastries, bread, and baked goods, it also has an advanced chocolate display case with humidity control.

The Daisy display case is a complete solution for any business, according to GTI Designs. A space planning dream with multiple options for size and glass angles, the Daisy offers welcome flexibility that is perfect for small and medium-sized stores. Daisy is available in a variety of temperature options including chilled, heated and dry/ambient.

Upright merchandisers

The quintessential “market display” upright merchandisers are available in many different heights, widths, and temperature options, according to GTI Designs. They are perfect for anything from hot, ready-to-eat pizzas to ice cold beverages. Many units are available with or without doors. They easily channel together to create an aisle, or back wall for self-service products.

Models like United and COSMO are perfect upright merchandisers for grab-and-go offerings.

Part of the GTI Platinum line, Cosmo blends style and technology together to create an energy efficient vertical merchandiser, with a high level of visibility and ease of use. Cosmo can display a variety of products and keep them at ideal consistency (even in extreme weather conditions), including pastry, baked goods, and hot/cold prepared foods.

United is the ideal grab-and-go display, according to GTI Designs, with a variety of size options and the ability to showcase hot or cold products that allow United to work equally well as a supermarket multideck, or as a self-service merchandiser in a coffee shop, cafe, or pizza place. Grab-and-go versions are available for chilled, heated or dry/ambient.

Grab-and-go options have evolved dramatically since the pandemic. With pre-packaged foods becoming more trusted and commonplace, self- service solutions like United help businesses create sales opportunities, while helping busy customers save time.

This article is an excerpt from the October 2024 issue of Supermarket Perimeter. You can read the entire Department Design feature and more in the digital edition here.