It’s tea’s time “Tea is exploding in Canada,”
says Louise Roberge, president of the Tea Association of Canada. And that’s no exaggeration. Recent data from Statistics Canada and research firm NPD Group confirm that tea consumption among most age categories from teenagers to baby boomers is growing.
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October | November 2011
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IT’S TEA’S TIME.
consumers are bringing the out-of-home experience into their homes.”
“Canadians drink a lot of tea,” says Vince
Sgabellone, an account manager with NPD Group that conducted one of
Ron Sadler, chairman of the Tea Association of Canada and the
the recent studies on tea consumption for the Tea Association of Canada.
managing director of Twinings Canada, thinks grocery retailers are missing
“Sixty per cent of Canadians we polled say they drink hot tea at least once
out on an opportunity to jumpstart tea sales. “Retailers should understand that tea is often an impulse purchase
a week, which is a higher number than we expected. And on average
so it’s important to offer something new and different to capture their
hot tea drinkers consume approximately 6.5 cups of tea per week.”
attention.
Not only is tea consumption growing; so is the variety of teas
Just positioning tea in a secondary location, for instance having a
consumers are demanding.
basket of tea, or a Tea-of-the-Month that includes some origin information
Indeed, Rick Winslow of Nielsen, who has conducted extensive research on tea, says there’s a “specialty tea movement going on whereby
near the bakery aisle, can increase sales.”
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TOP TEA TRENDS A Multicultural Society with Diverse Tastes
Here are the top trends Nielsen
Much of Canada’s growing multicultural population originates from tea-consuming regions in
> Consumers are looking for new
has identified:
Asia, so demand for more exotic teas reflective of the countries people come from is growing.
experiences. There’s been a big
This is the main reason specialty coffee shops are now expanding their tea selection and it’s a
surge in growth for specialty teas,
good reason for retailers to do the same.
particularly flavoured black and flavoured green teas. > Growing demand for single-
Percentage Of Immigration 2001-2006 from Traditionally Tea Drinking Countries
serve hot beverages. The trend began with single-serve
SOUTH ASIAN
32%
OTHER
coffee, but now consumers are using their single-serve
28%
CHINESE
coffee machines for tea too. The growth began in the
22%
FILIPINO
US, where 15 per cent of total
9%
WEST ASIAN
tea bag sales being sold today are single serve. Keurig K-cups
5%
KOREAN
4%
JAPANESE
1%
are a popular choice among tea drinkers. > Specialty tea purchases are more typical among wealthier, twomember households.
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
Source: Statistics Canada and CIBC World Markets.
A st rongdesire t o
Embrace Healthier Lifestyles
> Regionally, Ontario and the Maritimes have more traditional tea drinkers whereas Western Canada has an affinity for more exotic and flavourful teas. > Research has shown that consumers get confused by the large array of teas. Retailers can minimize the confusion by
“It’s no secret that people want to be healthier and tea is a natural product. It has zero calories,
rethinking how and where they
no proteins, no salt and no additives,” explains Tea Association of Canada’s Louise Roberge.
display tea products.
Green tea, for example, is the only hot beverage earning Health Canada’s seal of approval for its antioxidant properties. The facts speak for themselves, says Roberge: more consumers are turning to tea as their hot beverage of choice.
A HOT COMMODITY Tea is the world’s second most popular hot beverage after water and its popularity in North America is surging. If you’re not promoting tea in your store, you’re missing the opportunity to boost sales in your hot beverage category. Here’s why: > 50% of tea drinkers turn to the retail channel to make choices on
RETAIL PROFILE
A Hot & Steamy Sales Boost
W
hen Longo’s launched its Aromate Café in 2008, it was an instant
success. The scent of on-site freshly ground
new tea brands, new blends and
and roasted coffee beans lured consumers
new flavours.
to the new kiosk within its store. Today,
> Close to 60% of Canadians drink hot tea. The under 34 age group drink more of the new teas, such as
“We have been able to develop
Longo’s has expanded its offering with its
ongoing relationships with our customers —
own line of teas. It was a smart move. Sales have been
they are able to find what they are looking
white, green, flavored and herbal.
increasing by double digits year over year,
for, but we can also offer them a variety of
> Hot tea drinkers consume 6.5 cups
says Mary-Ellen Schick, category manager-
new options and choices for them to choose
grocery for Longo’s Support Center, as she
from,” says Schick.
per week. > Almost 50% of tea consumed at home is black, 29% is green and 16% is herbal. > 20% of tea drinkers drink both black and green teas. > 64% of tea drinkers add a
Part of Longo’s sales growth in tea has
explains why Longo’s chose to add tea to its hot beverage offerings in its Aromate Café.
to do with the growing recognition of tea as
“The original concept of Aromate was
a health product. Schick says consumers are
to build a hot beverage destination and tea
“increasingly more health conscious and as
was an important part of that right from the
such, people are choosing more green teas,
beginning,” explains Mary-Ellen Schick. “We
more herbals and single estate teas.” As part of its marketing strategy,
sweetener to their tea, with honey
were able to offer a very wide selection of
being the most popular followed
loose leaf teas including white, green, black,
Longo’s offers tea accessories such as tea
by sweetener substitutes such as
oolong and herbal. We also have a special
pots, strainers and gift sets with its tea and
Stevia and Agave.
Aromate Herbal Blend, which is one of our
demand for such accessories is growing.
best sellers.”
It also offers tea tasting at its Aromate
The unique focus on tea has also been good for business in the grocery aisles.
SELLING TEA: A BUSINESS MODEL
Café and tea prep demos, conducted by specialists trained by its tea suppliers.
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T
he Tea Emporium opened its doors in 2001 and is launching a unique store-within-a-store program at Loblaws’ high profile Maple Leaf Gardens location in downtown Toronto. Owner Shabnam Weber and her business partner, Frank Weber have a passion for tea and for business. They already operate programs in many of Loblaws Toronto stores but the new program will be more of a mini Tea Emporium. “It’s a 10-by-10 tea market within the store itself, not just on the periphery,” explains Shabnam. To complete the customer experience the tea market will cross-merchandise complimentary products such as tea spices and accessories.
TOP TIPS TO BOOST SALES IN YOUR HOT TEA CATEGORY
> Set-up in-store “tea day” demos focusing on new teas and how to prepare them. > Partner with your tea suppliers; they’re your best source of information and
support in helping you grow sales in your tea category. > Know consumer market trends and be prepared to adjust your in-store sales strategies to take advantage of them. > Offer taste-testing sessions; become a “tea sommelier.” A great resource and information on tea sommelier training is the Tea Association of Canada’s web site: www.tea.ca.
> Create cross-merchandising displays by combining specialty teas from China, Kenya, and India, for example, with foods from that country or region. > Shake-up your traditional tea display by creating shelf space in other areas of your store. For example, display specialty teas beside your sweetener aisle or create a “healthy tea” section in the natural and health foods area.