SURVEY: TRADE PROMOTIONS, EXPANSION ARE STRONG TRENDS

IRA SCHNEIDERMAN

COLOGNE, Germany -- Store expansion and increased trade promotions continue to be strong trends on the international scene, according to an SN survey.

A polling of international executives conducted during a food trade show here showed food retailing will continue to grow in 1996, with retailers adding stores in every major geographic region. More than three out of four retailers interviewed (78%) indicated they would be adding stores in 1996. Forty-five percent indicated they are adding fewer than five stores, 20% said they were adding between five and 10 storers and 13% reported they were planning to add more than 10 stores. More than half (52%) of retailers and vendors polled indicated that trade promotion spending increased in 1995. A total of 41% said spending had remained the same and 7% noted a decrease in trade promotion budgets.

The survey was designed to provide a sample of retailer and vendor attitudes on current issues facing the food business. A total of 173 interviews were conducted, 56 among retailers, 117 with suppliers. Seven global geographic regions were represented in the survey.