Interview: “The delicatessen segment at discount stores reaches larger social classes“

Source: Verbändebüro Bonn

Interview with Dirk Radermacher, Chief Executive Officer of the Manufacturers Association of culinary foods and the Association of the spice industry in Bonn

Recession or “now more than ever“: In your point-of-view, how has the German delicatessen retail segment developed in the course of time?

The delicatessen market has pleasantly and continuously grown over many years and has so far proven resistant to crises.


Discount stores offer more and more delicatessen products in special promotional offers. Do medium-sized German manufacturers benefit from this?

Yes, because it is the medium-sized manufacturers who produce this segment for discount stores.


Discount stores and delicatessen – is this good or bad for the delicatessen image?

By offering delicatessens at discount stores, the delicatessen segment reaches larger social classes of the population – and the fact that also high-income consumers shop at discount stores has been a well-known phenomenon for quite some time.


You are presiding over an alliance of associations. Is this a sign of a consolidation process in this line of business?

This sector has gone through a consolidation process for many years, which will most likely also continue in the future.


Eating-out is increasing. How is this market segment developing?

The more convenient the products are, the more likely is their market success. The so-called “walking food” is not just a buzzword for ice cream and candy, but also includes potato salad with hamburger in a plastic bowl and a fork.


The convenience market sector is growing. How do delicatessen manufacturers react?

New products like those in the antipasto-sector help support vendors for large-scale consumers. This includes for instance portioned and decorated delicatessen products, which only need to be unwrapped and – heated or chilled – can be immediately consumed.


Mustard, vinegar, condiments– the selection is vast. How good is the advice you get from a retailer?

Advice from a retailer – with some exceptions –does not take place. The products need to “speak for themselves.“ The communication occurs directly through the packaging. The product has to be self-explanatory. With delicatessen, mustard and vinegar, transparent packaging as well as an appetizing food display or its decoration in the packaging does this job. With light sensitive products like spices often a long shelf life at the consumer needs to be factored in: The basic product in the container should be protected from light, but the refills can be transparent.


And finally: What is your favorite dish?

I do not just have one favorite dish. Crunchy bread, a plate of antipasti, cheese and wine on the patio can be a perfect dinner for me, and so is a stew for lunch and a roll with some egg salad for breakfast.

Interview: René Schellbach, InterCool.de

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