Food Retailing is changing in the United States and most parts of the world.  Supermarkets face competition from club stores and hypermarkets, but also from a new generation of convenience stores. Mergers and acquisitions, international investment, changing roles of brands and private labels and competition from the internet are some of the other challenges. Market Solutions LLC has worked with food retailers and industry groups to help them understand their customers, track trends in attitudes and expectations from their stores, products and services.  We have provided strategic guidance on how best to compete in light of the realities of the market, and individual firms' current strengths and weaknesses. We have also worked with the retail industry, as well as suppliers, to track consumer shopping trends, and a variety of health, wellness and lifestype issues.

Building Sales in North America. A major food industry client came to Market Solutions LLC to review its strategies in the United States and Canada. Starting with qualitative and quantitative consumer and trade research, Market Solutions LLC helped the client understand opportunities for growth and barriers to increased sales. We worked with the client and its agency to develop and support the launch of a new brand and advertising themes and content for consumers, retailers and the food service industry. Over time we also worked with the client to update its business development strategy and provided hands-on support to develop a contact management data-base, trade show strategy and set priorities for media targeting.

Transportation, Logistics and Supply Chain Issues are becoming increasingly important to top management throughout the food chain including agricultural producers, processors and manufacturers, retailers and foodservice operators.  Market Solutions LLC has conducted numerous forward looking analyses of transportation and infrastructure challenges, including rail, water and highway transportation issues in North America and worldwide.  Market Solutions LLC research recently provided the foundation for bringing together a number of producer and industry groups to form a new coalition to address 21st century transportation and infrastructure issues, options and solutions.

Opportunities in Restaurants, Hotels and Institutions. Away from home dining plays a growing role in consumer food spending.  Market Solutions LLC has worked with clients in markets worldwide to understand how best to work with different segments of the food service industry including fine dining, hotels and resorts, casual and family dining, bars and theme restaurants, catering and institutional food service.  Our staff have also worked with chefs, food and beverage managers and owners of restaurant chains and independent restaurants to better understand them as customers, and how they guide menu development, purchasing, promotions, management and operations.

Transportation and distribution costs are becoming more important to the competitiveness of products in markets around the world.  Market Solutions LLC has been retained to analyze the economics of transportation and distribution on a variety of assignments.  We have helped agricultural clients to understand the economics of rail, waterborne, air and truck transportation; examined options via ports on all borders of the U.S. and in Canada, Mexico and other countries.  We have helped clients to evaluate transportation and logistics options, examined potential tradeoffs involved in infrastructure investments to permit unit and shuttle train rail shipments and containerized shipping. Our analysis has also helped clients to understand the potential costs and benefits of regulatory and legislative proposals, and provided guidance on priorities that can help ensure longer term competitiveness in the face of growing international competition.

China is becoming more important as a local market for many suppliers. Market Solutions LLC and our local partners have long term experience analyzing market opportunities and challenges in China. Building on in-depth consumer and business research in first and second tier cities across China, Market Solutions LLC has provided strategic guidance for clients with interests in fruits, nuts and vegetables, beverages, meat, poultry, dairy and seafood products, fibers and textiles, health and nutrition supplements, fats and oils, grains and feeds and other products.

India is becoming more attractive and accessible as a market for imported products and for international investment. Market Solutions LLC and our local partners have long experience working with clients on consumer and business research based strategy and evaluation assignments examining developments in production, processing, manufacturing and retailing across the country. We have also worked with clients to understand and address trade and regulatory barriers that limit access, sales, distribution and investment in India.

Obtaining and using government resources. Market Solutions LLC has extensive experience working with clients interested in obtaining and making the use of government resources to help them develop new business opportunities at home and abroad. Market Solutions LLC has conducted numerous market analysis and market development strategy assignments with clients using resouces such as the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Market Access Program (MAP)and other export support funds, Rural Development resources, and funding from a variety of other federal, state and international agencies and programs.