With its research suggesting that up to 30 percent of consumers may be reluctantly cutting back on beef usage due to economic pressures, Cargill Meat Solutions (http://www.cargillmeatsolutions.com/) has introduced a line of newly branded, value-priced beef cuts, providing consumers an affordable way to continue enjoying beef, while offering higher margin opportunities for retailers.
The lesser-known cuts of beef have been repositioned, with their standard, unappetizing cut names replaced with fanciful names derived from the Romance languages as well as the qualities
of the individual cuts, such as the Marbello steak, which gets its name from the amount of marbling that it contains. The new trademarked brand names, along with their traditional cut
names, are:
- Cabrosa Steak (ball tip)
- Cordelico Sirloin (flap meat)
- Delombre Petite Tender (teres major)
- Maranada Steak (flank steak)
- Marbello Steak (inside skirt)
- Rigosa Roast (eye of round)
- Savran Steak or Roast (top round)
- Solenta Sirloin (tri-tip)
Cargill Meat Solutions is believed to be the first beef producer (http://www.cargillmeatsolutions.com/) to brand these particular cuts
and views the potential opportunity for the program as significant.
"Cargill sees this value cuts program as a long-term one that can be leveraged in each of the six traditional beef selling seasons," said Elizabeth Desbien, Cargill brand manager. "And by
promoting a less expensive option, retailers can provide options for the value-conscious beef consumer. Retailers will still offer the better-known, middle meat cuts, and there will
always be consumers who will purchase those. But these newly positioned, mid-priced products allow retailers to provide another option to their customers who love beef, but who may be
more price-sensitive."
Desbien explained that by promoting products that have not been aggressively marketed before, retailers have the opportunity to boost incremental sales. Retailer profit can also climb
because of built-in pricing leeway on the branded cuts as well as a lack of discounting pressure. In the initial phase of market rollout, more than 2,000 grocery stores are offering a
combination of the branded value cuts in their meat cases.
"Reaction to the products, names and merchandising has been extremely positive to date," Desbien said. For example, one retailer initially rolled out the branded Cordelico Sirloin to
several of its divisions, she explained. The product has seen so much success that the retailer recently rolled it out to all of its remaining divisions.
A positioning and merchandising campaign, called "Beef Up Your Menu (http://www.associatedadv.com/cargill-beef/)," supports the
products with regular promotions based on key retail selling seasons, including summer grilling. Cargill is supplying participating retailers with a turnkey program with a variety of
marketing and point-of-purchase merchandising materials to help draw consumer attention and trial and build sales. The focus of consumer communication efforts is entirely centered at the
meat case, with colorful on-pack branding as well as menu cards, which provide a recipe for the beef cut and complementary side items, complete with a shopping list the consumer can use
while in the store.
In addition to creating inspiration with and awareness of the beef value cuts, Cargill determined that the real key to promoting these items is convincing consumers that the beef can cook
up well and anchor complete, easy-to-prepare meals. The menu cards and shopping lists provide all the information consumers need to prepare a wonderful meal for their family and friends
to enjoy.
"Cargill is trying to overcome any consumer reticence to buying and trying unfamiliar beef cuts," Desbien said. "We think this program does that. It also allows more consumers to continue
to make beef the obvious center-of-the-plate choice."
Cargill Meat Solutions Corporation is one of the largest fresh, frozen and value-added beef, pork and turkey suppliers in the country. The business is a subsidiary of Cargill,
Incorporated, an international provider of food, agricultural and risk management products and services. With 153,000 employees in 66 countries, Cargill is committed to using its
knowledge and experience to collaborate with customers to help them succeed. For more information, visit www.cargillmeatsolutions.com and
www.cargill.com.
For information, contact:
Shawn Steward
Associated (for Cargill Meat Solutions)
(316) 683-4691 ext. 240
ssteward@unexpectedagency.com