FMI reports more supermarkets capitalizing on wellness opportunity

ARLINGTON, Va. — Supermarkets are increasingly being identified as a healthcare destination, according to the Food Market Institute's third annual Food Retailer Contributions to Health and Wellness survey released Tuesday. Helping to feed that perception is the fact that 95% of stores employ dietitians at the corporate, regional and store levels, FMI noted. 

 

“While I consistently observe more coordination and collaboration among food retail health professionals, I’m witnessing a stronger culinary focus among our members," noted Cathy Polley, VP health and wellness at FMI. "Notably, more than half of the food retailers in this survey employed chefs at the corporate level, many offering cooking classes focused on diabetes, weight management and simple family meals," she said. 

 

According to the survey, 70% of grocery operators view supermarket health-and-wellness programs as a significant business growth opportunity for the entire industry in the years ahead with pharmacists and dietitians taking the lead. And the majority of respondents (74%) have organized their health-and-wellness activities to balance engagement with both well and sick customers.