Overview

The 18,000 specialty foods stores in the US sell produce, seafood, grocery, meat and poultry, bakery, prepared foods, specialty cheese, coffee and tea, nutritional supplements, vitamins, educational products, floral, and even certain household products. Most specialty food stores offer products deemed to be higher quality and premium-priced than traditional grocery stores.

Perishable Products

Specialty food stores typically carry more perishable products than traditional food retailers, often two-thirds or more of their product offerings.

Demand Dependent On Economic Conditions

The typical specialty food customer is more affluent (household income over $50,000) than the typical traditional grocery store customer.