KEYS TO SUCCESS AND TRENDS ON THE RISE - EXPLORED AT IFSA SEMINAR

"The key to success is matching products, skills and competencies to the relevant opportunities", so said John Jones of Pro-Intal, London, speaking at the IFSA Foodservice Trends Seminar yesterday in Bewley's Hotel, Dublin Airport.

The following aspects of recovery were noted by John Jones in his examination of EU markets as the recession eases:

- Upturn but remains bumpy
- Decline in visit frequency
- Price, discounts & deals
- Trading down has bottomed
- On the go has benefited
- Convenience has benefited
- Small treats have benefited
- Chains have outperformed the market
- Independent operators have taken a lot of the pain

Some of the US Operator Trends outlined by Maureen Gahan, Head of Foodservice with Bord Bia included:

- More emphasis on price management
- Food cost control/sourcing practices
- More focused menus

In terms of 2013 preliminary figures, the outlook seems mixed / cautiously positive, with:
- Slower growth than 2012
- Chain market soft – lots of dealing; major chains not opening many units
- Non-commercial segments stable
- Foodservice stronger than retail
- Retailer meal solutions growing  

Vanessa Carter, Head of New Product Development for Churchill outlined some of the key trends identified by the company in their R&DB and NPD operations, noting that "There has been an infl ux of new arrivals opening up across the UK and Ireland - from hip bar and grills, groovy cafes, brasseries, pop-up restaurants and fashionable food outlets." 

Key areas included:
- Cool Chicken
- The Big Apple
- New Spanish Wave
- Brasserie Style
- Retro Favourites
- Artisan Asian
- New Gourmet

The Seminar attended by professionals in foodservice, equipment, food and drink production and restaurant management explored Trends both upcoming and enduring in Europe, the USA and Ireland.  Presentations from the session will be availabe on the IFSA Resources page in the coming days.
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Pictured above are seminar speakers, Vanessa Carter (Churchill), John Jones (Pro-Intal), Maureen Gahan (Bord Bia) with Sean Martin (IFSA Chairman).