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SERVING UP A FOOD EXPERIENCE a foodservice item in their basket. “Sushi and salads continue to grow. Our relaunched wraps and world- flavour sandwich range with some great new options – sushi, onigiri and salads – provide a large selection for lunch on the go for customers. There’s vegetarian and plant-based options to choose from as well. “Hot food innovations including new- flavour hot pastries, hot traveller pizzas, and plant-based sausage rolls and pie options have been really popular with customers. We’re seeing good growth in our 7-Eleven ready-to-eat meals, as well as other options in that heat-and- eat space.” Ms Metcalf-King also points to 7-Eleven’s claimed position as the second largest coffee retailer in Australia, with the network extending its offer to provide new coffee co-buy options for its customers. New Sunrise’s ‘one-stop shop’ and quality assistance Now in its fifth year, New Sunrise’s Good Food Fast program is described as a “one-stop shop” to offer convenience stores the confidence to build or improve their existing foodservice offer. members across the country,” Mr Alessi said. “A qualified chef, Martin has used his extensive knowledge to assist members develop their overall program, from setting up a kitchen, to cleaning and sanitising, to final meal delivery and digital menu boards. FOODSERVICE – FOOD ON THE GO Mr Alessi says the program, supported by market leading foodservice manufacturers and suppliers in Australia, is designed to take the guesswork out of developing a foodservice brand and offer in-store. “The program delivers simplified step-by-step recipes using high quality ingredients, with clear instructions around the preparation and delivery of the product,” he said. “The program also allows members the opportunity to buy the products better, cook smarter and serve more.” According to Mr Alessi, the Good Food Fast program continues to hit new heights in 2021. “With recipes created in the culinary kitchen in collaboration with supplier partners and chef Andrew Ballard, this year’s menu inspirations are sure to impress the most critical truckie, tourist or traveller,” he said. “Be it a sit-down meal, a loaded fries to go, from pizza to potato, this year’s menu builds will take the offer in convenience to the next level.” Mr Alessi also notes that chef Martin Farrell joined the New Sunrise team last year as a food category specialist, adding a further resource to work closely with retailers. “Martin has been busy working with retailers and suppliers to train staff, present meal concepts and set up new concepts for New Sunrise retail “Whether in-store or in a classroom environment, the New Sunrise team can offer assistance to build your food program. If you’d like to develop the foodservice offer in your store, please contact Martin on 0419 294 858.” 7-Eleven ‘easy options’ for busier lives According to 7-Eleven Australia Head of Food Emma Metcalf-King, food is an increasingly important part of providing easier convenience options for the retailer’s customers. “Just as they were when we opened the first convenience store in Australia in 1977, people’s lives are getting busier and they’re looking for delicious, easy options for meals and snacks across the day,” she said, adding that around 22 per cent of 7-Eleven customers have “Fresh baked goods are delivered daily to more than 400 stores,” she said. “There’s nine products, both sweet and savoury, for customers to choose from.” When it comes to the Covid-19 situation and 7-Eleven’s foodservice offering, Ms Metcalf-King says CBD locations have been impacted “more significantly” as office workers and others work remotely. “What we’ve found is that suburban locations have seen increases, particularly in basket size and staples such as bread and milk, as customers have preferred smaller-format stores to the larger supermarkets,” she said. “There was also an increase in coffee sales, as work-from-home workers will stop in for a coffee run or to grab something when out exercising to break up the working day.” Ms Metcalf-King says she believes customers will continue to be busy and TO PAGE 32 MAR/APR, 2021 CONVENIENCE WORLD 31