2024 Food World and Food Trade News Market Studies

Annual Special Issues

June 2024

Each June, since 1979, Food World and Food Trade News have been publishing detailed Market Studies for the Mid-Atlantic, Northeast and Southeast regions. The annual survey reviews retailer sales and market share data for 151 counties for all channels of food, drug and general merchandise/HBC.

Over the past 12 months, after three years of record or near-record sales increases, retailers faced major challenges as inflation stabilized and competition heightened. Operators also felt the impact from the reduction of SNAP supplemental benefits, which returned to 2019 levels in March 2023.

We invite you read our full coverage, including full data and charts in our complete Food Trade News and Food World Market Study issues, presented below.

Economic Environment Impacts Most Mid-Atlantic Retailers; Comp Sales Flat

2024 Food World Market Study Recap

Once again led by Giant Food and Walmart, the $61.3 billion Mid-Atlantic market saw comp sales flatten as food inflation was brought mostly under control.

2024 Food Trade News Market Study Issue

Complete issue

The full issue, with comprehensive data and charts, covering 70 counties in Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware.

2024 Food World Market Study Issue

Complete Issue

The full issue, with comprehensive data and charts, covering 89 counties and cities in Central Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Washington, DC, and Virginia.

Taking Stock

In Metro NY, DelVal, Retailers Find Landscape Tougher Than Ever as Inflation Wanes and Competition Heightens

Jeff Metzger's analysis of the Food Trade News Market Study covering CT, DE, PA, NJ, and NY.

Let’s take a closer look at what the numbers are telling us in this year’s Food Trade News market study.
Easing inflation, tightening consumer spending, and cuts to SNAP added up to flat sales across the board.
Disrupters, led by Aldi, Lidl, and Trader Joe’s, continued to chip away at old-guard supermarkets and drugstores.
All signs point to malaise and gridlock in the year ahead.

Taking Stock

Uncertain Economy Impacts Most B-W Retailers; Little Optimism For Near-Term Improvement

Jeff Metzger's analysis of the Food World Market Study covering DC, DE, PA, MD, and VA.

After the boom years of the COVID era, slowing inflation, and tightening consumer spending flattened sales.
Traditional supermarkets and drug retailers find themselves most vulnerable to market shifts, continuing a trend.
Said one exec: “It’s a good thing that your 12-month measuring period ended in March, because the next 12 months are going to look much different.”