Changing Retail Scene Biggest Kosher Story of 2010

Posted by Menachem Lubinsky on December 20, 2010 under Kosher | View Comments

New York…The year began with the news that at least two Albertson’s stores that served kosher consumers in Florida would be closing. It is ending with the bankruptcy of A & P, which in recent months closed several Pathmark and Waldbaum’s stores, including a flagship Pathmark kosher store in Monsey. But there were also significant developments with independent kosher retailers, including the relocation of the Seven Mile Market in Baltimore to a 55,000 square foot facility, the planned entry of a major Israeli retailer and the increased kosher offerings by club and discount stores all over the country. The upshot of all of these developments is a three-tiered kosher retail mix that has changed the shopping habits of many kosher consumers and has resulted in stiff competition between the three types of retail grocers.

While the changing kosher retail scene may have been the biggest story for kosher in 2010, there were other notable stories. Kosher slaughter (schechita) continued to come under pressure in Europe and New Zealand. There were more well-known brands that became kosher, including Gatorade and Glenmorangie. Kosherfest 2010 saw a record 7,000 trade representatives attend with an increased number of gluten-free and spelt items. The ongoing recession put the squeeze on the lucrative Passover hotel business and on many upscale gourmet items. It was a banner year for kosher cookbooks with such notable authors as Joan Nathan, Gil Marks, Susan Fishbein and Jamie Geller and a significant book on the development of kosher by Sue Fishkoff (“The Kosher Nation”). There was a dramatic up tick in the role of social media in kosher sales. All in all, kosher sales increased by approximately 12%, at a time when the food industry in general will grow only by several percentage points as it did in 2009. Kosher grew by about the same percentage number in 2009 with the closest competitor being organic foods that grew by 5%.

Alcohol Manufacturers Suddenly Discover Kosher Market

Posted by admin on July 26, 2010 under Kosher Alcohol | View Comments

New York…Vodka brands from around the world are obtaining kosher certification as are other alcohol beverages. Kosher wine and spirit experts say that there has been a significant increase in demand of alcohol beverages, particularly by younger kosher consumers. The Orthodox Union recently announced that the coveted Glenmorangie of Scotland had received its kosher certification. More recently it added its certification to varieties of single malt whisky manufactured by Tomintoul Distillery. Me Oko, a line of American made Vodka was recently certified by Khal Adas Jeshurun, based in Washington Heights in New York. Kosher wine experts say that it has become fashionable amongst many young Orthodox Jews to consume the alcohol products at weekly Kiddush sessions in the synagogue, at weddings and at social gatherings. One expert said that many are “copying practices at a Farbrengen, the gatherings made famous by the Lubavitch movement at which Chasidim find spiritual satisfaction in a gathering laced with stories of the late Rebbe, singing and dancing, and consuming vodka. He noted that the Vodka was as much a part of the latest trend as hanging out at a high-end kosher restaurant on a Thursday night or eating Sushi. Not all Orthodox Jews are happy about this development as some rabbis have banned the alcohol from “Kiddush clubs” and other shul sponsored events. While the manufacturers have noticed an uptik in demand, alcohol consumption remains taboo in many quarters, but as one youth said: “Give me some good herring, a wholesome kichel and it is automatic that I wash it down with some Vodka.”