Rebecca Harris Journalist Profile

Articles

Top Notch! Meet the 2025 Star Women in Grocery Award Winners

5 days ago | canadiangrocer.com | Chris Daniels |Shellee Fitzgerald |Rebecca Harris |Danny Kucharsky

Senior-Level StarsWendy Baker, Food, Health & Consumer Products of Canada Lisa Beausoleil, Nestlé CanadaMarie-Eve Brunet, I-D Foods CorporationChantal Butler, Mondelēz CanadaJennie Coleman, EquifruitErika DeHaas, Sobeys Inc. Bryana Ganong, Ganong Bros. Avie Leang-Lorenzo, Sobeys Inc. Nathalie Lefebvre, MetroNicole Salloum, Farm Boy KC Shendelman, Longo'sLiette Vigneault, AgropurShining-Level StarsBeata Stolarski, A.
New Canadians prefer Walmart, Costco and No Frills for buying groceries

Dec 5, 2024 | canadiangrocer.com | Rebecca Harris

What drives their grocery decisions Beyond the where, the factors influencing newcomers’ purchasing decisions were also examined. When choosing a grocery retailer, price is the number-one factor (78%), followed by discounts and promotions (57%), location (56%), product quality (55%) and availability of products from their home country or other ethnic products (24%).
Food prices set to rise up to 5% in 2025: report

Dec 5, 2024 | canadiangrocer.com | Rebecca Harris

Grocery bills are set to take another jump next year. The Food Price Report 2025 forecasts that food prices will increase between 3% to 5% in the coming year. That means the average family of four will fork over $801.56 more on food compared to 2024, for a total of $16,833.67. By category, the predicted price increase is highest in meat (4% to 6%), followed by vegetables and restaurants (both at 3% to 5%). Fruit and seafood were on the lower end (1% to 3% each).
Canadians will embrace 'conscious consumption' in 2025: NIQ

Dec 3, 2024 | canadiangrocer.com | Rebecca Harris

In recent years, Canadians have faced unprecedented inflation, struggled with the cost-of-living crisis and navigated ongoing economic uncertainty. With a rough road still ahead, 2025 will be the year of “conscious consumption,” where consumers focus their spending on what matters most. This insight comes from NielsenIQ’s Carman Allison, who was speaking at Canadian Grocer’s recent GroceryConnex conference in Toronto.
Water gets a glow up and plant-based finds its groove: Nourish Food Marketing’s 2025 trends

Dec 3, 2024 | canadiangrocer.com | Rebecca Harris

How can you inspire the “free-form cooking” trend taking social media by storm? Once Ozempic users reach their goal weight, how can you help them maintain it? And should the plant-based category be positioned as a value protein since food affordability is top of mind? These are a few of the questions posed to the food and beverage sector by Nourish Food Marketing, which has released its ninth annual Nourish Trend Report.
Retailers are betting on discount. Will the momentum last?

Dec 2, 2024 | canadiangrocer.com | Rebecca Harris

Making big plays for price-conscious consumersAs value becomes a focal point in Canadian households of all types, major grocers are doubling down on their discount strategies—opening new stores, converting conventional stores into discount banners and launching all-new ultra-discount concepts. “Discount has always been there … but the pace is ramping up as the economy is still top-of-mind for many people.
What’s new in specialty produce?

Nov 27, 2024 | canadiangrocer.com | Rebecca Harris

While the produce department takes centre stage in any grocery store, it’s brimming with opportunities beyond the usual apples and oranges. Specialty produce—items that often aren’t staples in major grocery stores or are only available in limited quantities—satisfy consumer demand for unique, new-to-them flavours that often cater to the tastes of ethnic communities. Here’s a look at some specialty fruits and vegetables that can elevate grocers’ offerings.
Mass Observation, Counterculture and the ‘Art of Living’

Nov 21, 2024 | mdpi.com | Rebecca Harris |Jill Marsden

1. IntroductionAccording to David Hall, ‘Mass Observation was probably the largest investigation into popular culture to be carried out in Britain in the twentieth century’ (Hall 2015, p. 1).
Mars moves Dave Dusangh to North American role

Nov 13, 2024 | canadiangrocer.com | Rebecca Harris

Mars has tapped Dave Dusangh—a familiar face with more than a decade of experience at the company—as the new regional president for its Food & Nutrition business in North America. Dusangh joined the consumer packaged goods giant in 2011 with Mars Pet Nutrition Canada and went on to lead Mars Food & Nutrition in this market in 2016. In 2018, he also became general manager of Tasty Bite North America, which offers a range of easy-to-prepare Indian and Asian meals.
How will Canadians adjust their spending this holiday season?

Oct 25, 2024 | canadiangrocer.com | Rebecca Harris

Despite financial challenges, Canadians aren’t ready to call it a wrap on the holiday season. According to the 2024 Holiday Shopping Survey by Retail Council of Canada (RCC) and Leger, Canadians are projected to spend an average of $972, an 8% increase from last year. Most of the holiday budget will go to clothing/accessories and food/alcohol (16% in each category), followed by toys and games (12%), restaurants (9%), and hobbies, books and music (9%).