Charcoal

Supermarkets, where most shoppers get their charcoal, saw an uptick in charcoal sales in 2009, for both branded and private-label offerings, as grilling at home replaced eating out for many during the recession. Over the 12 months ending in mid-June, however, charcoal sales in food stores flattened out to around $407 million. Meanwhile, drug stores' share of charcoal sales, already relatively meager, has continued to slip.

Charcoal lends itself to many cross-merchandising opportunities for food retailers, particularly in combination with trendy products like value-added meats. Moreover, it is no longer just a seasonal item, as 56% of grill owners use their grills year-round, according to the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association. Charcoal is also easy to stack into simple displays.