Dorothy Lane Market hangs 3½ inch round “gluten free” tags perpendicular to shelves for easy shopping. C.A. Diltz, director of DLM’s gluten-free programs, pushed for an integrated merchandising approach, instead of segregating these products, so that no shopper feels left out.
Photo by Nick Nawroth
Free samples are enough to convince even mainstream consumers to buy gluten-free Eban Bakery bread, baked in nearby Grove City, Ohio. The locally produced loaves sold so well on a recent Saturday in Dorothy Lane Market’s Washington Square store they accounted for 3.3% of total grocery sales.
Photo by Nick Nawroth
Gluten-free tags are inciting trial of inherently gluten-free, international cuisines. Vietnamese rice noodles, Italian polenta and Indian poppadum are just some of the foods appealing to gluten-free shoppers, according to Melissa Abbott, senior director of Culinary Insights at The Hartman Group.
Photo by Nick Nawroth
Many preservative-free, gluten-free offerings end up in DLM’s freezer case. Frozen soufflés, pretzels and pizza crust making organic, vegan and gluten-free claims appeal to a wide audience, according to the retailer.
Photo by Nick Nawroth
PCC Natural Market is taking a second look at its tagging criteria. Although inherently gluten-free milk and water aren’t tagged, naturally gluten-free categories like yogurt are, since yogurt mix-ins, like granola, often contain gluten.
Photo courtesy of PCC Natural Markets
Cynthia Kupper, executive director of the Gluten Intolerance Group of North America, Auburn, Wash., says retailers must be diligent about keeping shelf talkers and corresponding products organized because if they don’t and product shifts, a gluten-free shopper may accidentally consume a gluten-containing product. Seattle-based PCC Natural Markets mitigates the risk by color-coding gluten-free price tags.
Photo courtesy of PCC Natural Markets
