German retail buyers still keen on product innovations

Even in current circumstances, new products and innovations are of tremendous importance to German grocery retail trade.

– 87% of LZ experts* state they are “very important” or “important”.

– 84% are convinced that new products and innovations will continue to be essential in order to differentiate from competing retailers and in particular from the discounters.

This tendency is increasing as the survey continues, confirming that the demand for new additions to current ranges is high, even during COVID-19. How are meetings between suppliers and buyers conducted? The obvious solution are virtual meetings that are now frequently used to circumvent existing contact restrictions. Almost every retail expert at head office level reports to have gained experience with “virtual listing discussions” or plans to hold meetings in a digital way.

*LZ experts: The German trade magazine Lebensmittel Zeitung interviews 150 readers from grocery retail head offices, regional offices and trade regarding current topics on a bi-monthly basis.