In 1989, the baking industry introduced 1,155 new bakery products.
The baking industry in the United States consists of four segments: retail, wholesale, in-store and food service. Wholesale bakeries are the backbone of this industry.
Retail
A retail bakery is a low-volume facility, where a variety of baked goods are produced and sold to consumers from the same location. Many retail bakeries are now offering whole-grain and multigrain breads, but flavor continues to be a priority among retail bakery consumers.
Wholesale
The wholesale baking industry sector consists of three segments: cake, bread and related products, frozen bakery products and crackers and cookies. A wholesale bakery is typically equipped with extensive production facilities and reaches consumers through retail locations, such as grocery stores and food stores.
In-Store and Food Service
In-store bakeries are found in grocery stores and are relatively small but offer a substantial range of fresh baked products, with increasing amounts of whole-grain breads being produced. Baked goods in the food service sector are those served in restaurants and cafeterias, and they are generally produced by a wholesale bakery.
Trends
The weak economy associated with the past decade and a half has reduced retail bakery sales, as well as sales for in-store bakeries and food service companies. Today's consumers prefer to purchase their baked goods at wholesale club stores.
Tags: retail bakery, baked goods, bakery products, baking industry, food service, grocery stores, United States