As consumers explore higher quality forms of deli meat, such as charcuterie they might see in restaurants, they do so within their budgets often leading them to peg rack specialty meats merchandised near specialty cheeses. Of note, specialty deli meat experienced the largest increase in dollars and volume, helped by increased sales in the salami category, according to Nielsen Perishables Group.

 “As pricing slightly declined and promotions were more effective, deli specialty meat impressions per store per week rose 10.9%,” says Chris Zagorski, analyst for Nielsen Perishables Group, leading to a 10.5% and 10.9% increase in dollars and volume, respectively.