Make Your Dollars Stretch

Variety is the spice of life, so it's only natural for retailers stocking a vast array of spices to see sales heat up, not only in the spice aisle, but in meat, produce, seafood and everywhere else a little dash of this or that can be used to turn an ordinary meal into an extraordinary one.

"Due to the current economic condition, people are eating out less and cooking at home more often," says John Lazowski, director of marketing at ACH Food Companies, the Ankeny, Iowa-based manufacturer of the Tone's, Durkee, Spice Islands, French's and Weber spice brands. He says while the spices and extracts category has remained relatively flat over the past few years, in the latest 52 weeks ended Dec. 27, the category has grown 4.2%.

ACH officials expect the upward trend to continue through 2010. "The spice category has seen 4% growth as budget-conscious consumers continue to cook more meals at home. This is a big improvement in what has historically been a flat category," Lazowski says, adding that ACH is also seeing growth in the gourmet side of the business. Sales of its high-end Spice Islands line are up 7.3%. "Shoppers who, in more prosperous times, might have gone out for an expensive meal are cooking more special meals at home and they are looking to premium spices for a richer culinary experience," he says.

Big flavors and new definitions of "dinner party" are bringing the best of restaurant meals into the home, says Laurie Harrsen, director of public relations, activities and policies used to create public interest in a person, idea, product, institution, or business establishment. By its nature, public relations is devoted to serving particular interests by presenting them to the public in the most and consumer affairs at Hunt Valley, Md.-based McCormick & Co. "People are looking for new at-home options--staying in is the new going out," she says. "It can be casual, economical, and a great way to have a variety of tastes at one gathering. A whole new generation of potluck concepts is helping bring the best of restaurant meals home."

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