AgMRC-Developed Materials

• California Wine Industry Evolving to Compete in 21st Century. 2008 University of California research on changes in marketing, consumer taste and industry structure. Presented from national and global perspective.
• Top U.S.* Supermarkets for 2007, Iowa State University, 2007 -  List developed from the ranking and sales information from Supermarket News. Lists number of stores, sales, corporate location and Web address.
• Supermarket Challenges and Opportunities for Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Producers and Shippers, Agricultural Issues Center, University of California.
• Trends in the Marketing of Fresh Produce and Fresh-cut Products. Roberta Cook. Agricultural Issues Center, University of California, 2007.
• Trends in U.S. Fresh Produce Marketing (PowerPoint presentation), California Fresh Produce and Floral Council, 2004 - Value-added (fresh-cut produce) is emphasized.

• Beef and Pork Values and Price Spreads Explained, Economic Research Service, 2004 - This study found that prices tend to adjust more rapidly when increasing rather than decreasing. Information is provided on price spread calculations and the relationship between marketing costs and livestock prices.
• Distribution and Sales, Business Basics for Alberta Food Processors.
• Food & Beverage Shopping: The Recession and Channel Migration, Times & Trends, Grocery Manufacturers of America, Inc., 2003 - This document reviews the shift in U.S. consumer spending from traditional supermarkets to newer discount formats.
• Food Retailing and Supermarket Industry Key Facts, Food Marketing Institute - This site includes statistics on the number of grocery stores, store sales and consumer shopping trends.
• Food Retailing in the 21st Century – Riding a Consumer Revolution, Food Marketing Institute Backgrounder.
• Food Retailers Offering More Takeout, Self-scanning, Fuel Pumps, Drive-thru Pharmacies and Other Services for Convenience-driven Consumers, Food Marketing Institute, 2004.
• The Growing Natural Foods Market: Opportunities and Obstacles for Mass Market Supermarkets, The Retail Food Industry Center, University of Minnesota, 2000.
• InternetRetailer.com - An online service covering Web retailers. 
• Retail & Wholesale Trade, U.S. Census Bureau - This site includes monthly and quarterly retail sales.
• Supermarket Facts and Store Definitions, Food Marketing Institute - Industry-wide statistics such as weekly and annual grocery store sales are listed on this Web site.
• Uniform Code Council - To obtain a Uniform Product Code (UPC) bar code symbol, membership is required with this organization.
• Using Contemporary Archaeology and Applied Anthropology to Understand Food Loss in the American Food System, University of Arizona, 2005 - This research on the amount of food loss in the U.S. food production and marketing system found convenience stores had the highest percent of loss compared to other outlets.
• Wal-Mart Update: Supersizing the Supermarket, Times & Trends, Grocery Manufacturers of America, Inc., 2003 - This brief provides global facts about consumption at Wal-Mart Supercenters.
• Where you shop matters, Amber Waves, Economic Research Service, USDA, 2005 - Shop formats drive variation in retail food prices.

Links to Other Sites

• The Food Industry Center, University of Minnesota - A source of knowledge on how food reaches consumers effectively and efficiently.
• The Food Institute
• Food Marketing Institute
• International Dairy-Deli-Bakery Association
• Produce Marketing Association
• Supermarket News - The listing of the top 75 supermarkets is available from Supermarket News.

Links checked February 2008.