Every week, Plant-based Business Expert Elysabeth Alfano breaks down the headlines with her review and analysis in the Plantbased Business Minute. Elysabeth is the founder of Plant Powered Consulting, the host of the Plantbased Business Hour and the Consulting Managing Director, vegconomist, North America.
Here is the rundown from her video for the week ending November 13, 2020.
McPlant, Baby!
McPlant! Never in a million years did I think I would herald McDonald’s on this show, but, in fact, I am doing just that.
In 2021 the large restaurant chain is set to test many plant-based burgers in select cities across the United States before going national. It seems that Beyond Meat will be participating in some aspect just as they did in testing plant-based burgers for McDonald’s in Canada. We’re unsure exactly to what extent, but my business bottom line is this: when an international player as large as McDonalds has a plant-based offering, look for other international players to follow suit and the dominos will fall.
Sidenote: With a bit less fanfare, Beyond Meat also launched at Pizza Hut. Huge news in its own right.
China’s Big Boost
800%! That’s the growth of plant-based milk in China. California producer, Califia Farms, is one of the plant-based milks reaping the benefit of that.
My business bottom line: this is a long-term trend. Please take note Coca Cola that it makes no sense to sell plant-based milk or dairy to lactose intolerant people who did not grow up on same. Losing battle!
Sainsbury’s (Plant-based?) Revamp
Speaking of losing battles, Sainsbury’s, the second largest grocery store chain in the UK is indeed closing its fresh meat and fish counters. They’re naming financial difficulty and that they’re going to revamp their stores.
It remains to be seen how plant based will fare in the new revamping but here’s my business bottom line: Last year Sainsbury had thirty-one new vegan options and plant-based sales were up 65%. I think it’s fair to say when the grocery store comes back to life, it is going to have more shelf space for plant-based items.
That’s the Plantbased Business Minute. If you would like a deeper dive into plant-based business, please subscribe to the Plantbased Business Hour wherever you get your podcasts. And if you are a plant-based business or a large meat and dairy corporation and you are looking to navigate the plant-based landscape, please reach out to me on LinkedIn. My team and I at Plant Powered Consulting are here to help you with marketing, media, communication strategy, and so much more.
Until I see you again next week, together we’re taking back our health, the health of the planet, and the health of our bottom line.
Elysabeth Alfano is the founder of Plant Powered Consulting, host of the Plantbased Business Hour and the Consulting Managing Director, vegconomist, North America.
