Summary of our market study

The global delicatessen market has been trending positively, with the Asia-Pacific region leading the way in 2022 as the largest market for specialty foods. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the war between Ukraine and Russia, the sector should continue to grow. Germany is a key market in this sector, where consumers attach great importance to quality and delicate products. The trend towards organic, regional and vegan products is gaining ground in Germany, with organic food sales growing at an average annual rate of 8.63% in 2021. However, there is a slight dip in 2022 with a 3.52% decline in the organic food market, attributed to consumer price sensitivity in a context of rising inflation. E-commerce is emerging as a market growth opportunity, accounting for 2.7% of total food trade in Germany by 2021. The delicatessen market is highly fragmented, with a mix of small and medium-sized companies and large supermarket chains. Despite this, discounters' market share of total retail sales is increasing, presenting a competitive challenge for specialist delicatessen retailers. Regulations concerning the import of exotic meats and specialty foods are strict in Germany and the EU to ensure safety and quality. Overall, the market continues to thrive, with a penchant for high-quality, sustainable and ethically produced food options.

The German delicatessen market: quality, variety and innovation

In the dynamic world of German delicatessen, quality and variety reign supreme. Germany's love affair with fine foods and specialty products is deeply rooted in history, dating back to the founding of the world's first delicatessen, Dallmayr, in 1700. With a penchant for unique, high-quality food products, Germany is a pioneer in the delicatessen industry. The German delicatessen market has shown resilience and growth despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical tensions such as the war between Ukraine and Russia. The food retail sector in Germany has seen steady growth, with annual sales of delicatessens making a significant contribution to the economy. Sales trends in the food retail sector point to a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of between 0.5% and 0.7% in 2020. The behavior of German consumers testifies to their appreciation of a diversified palate, opting for products that guarantee quality, freshness and, increasingly, sustainability. Monthly food expenditure accounts for a substantial share of German household spending, indicating a strong penchant for high-end food products. Regional, organic and vegan options are in vogue, with the organic food market recording a CAGR of around 7% to 9% in 2021.

However, the following year saw a decline of around 3-4% on the previous year, indicating a shift towards more budget-conscious purchasing decisions against a backdrop of rising inflation. However, factors such as sustainability, health benefits and regional production continue to influence purchasing decisions, as market analysis shows. The trend towards vegan products is gaining ground, and Germany is leading the charge with a significant increase in the launch of new vegan products every year. By 2022, the number of vegans had risen remarkably, to between 1.25 and 1.5 million. This development is appreciated not only by vegans, but also by a growing number of flexitarians, who occasionally treat themselves to refined and delicate dishes. In terms of where to shop, traditional supermarkets and discount stores dominate the scene. However, 10-15% of consumers still appreciate the specialized experience and buy their food in delicatessens and specialty stores. The trend is clear: almost 8 million people have shopped in delicatessens. The delicatessen market is characterized by a rich tapestry of suppliers offering a sumptuous array of high-quality food products, from cheeses and meats to gourmet chocolates and fine wines. In this complex market, several companies have carved out important niches, offering consumers products that are synonymous with excellence and authenticity.

Let's take a look at some of these major players, to understand their contribution to the delicatessen landscape.

  • Dallmayr: A pioneer in the delicatessen industry, Dallmayr is respected for its historic roots and refined selection. Founded in 1700 in Germany, Dallmayr has evolved from a simple importer of exotic fruits to an establishment synonymous with luxury and gastronomic delights. Today, Dallmayr offers a plethora of exquisite products, including premium coffee, delicate pastries, selected wines and spirits. Its expertise in this field is an anchor in the market, consistently offering a standard to which others can aspire.
  • Lidl: These large retail chains have integrated an impressive selection of delicatessen products into their offer. Although not traditionally specialized in this segment, both Edeka and Lidl have embraced consumers' growing appetite for fine foods. Thanks to specially designed sections in their stores, they are able to satisfy the discerning palate that seeks both quality and convenience. Their decision to include premium brands reflects their desire to bridge the gap between everyday shopping and the search for gourmet experiences.
  • Gourmondo: As the e-commerce sphere continues to expand, Gourmondo has established itself as a specialist website that connects manufacturers and customers in the savory realm of delicacies. Offering a virtual marketplace for everything exquisite and rare, Gourmondo stands out for its emphasis on convenience and diversity. Consumers can browse a vast catalog of specialties from the comfort of their own homes, adding an exciting and accessible facet to the search for culinary treasures.
  • Amazon: Not traditionally associated with delicatessen, Amazon has nonetheless jumped into the fray with gusto, leveraging its online grocery stores, which increasingly offer gourmet selections. Proof of its power, Amazon's entry into this segment means recognition of a substantial market opportunity in online delicatessen, fuelling the transformation of consumer habits.
  • Motherland in Hamburg: Although not as universally known as its counterparts, Motherland is an example of innovation in the delicatessen sector thanks to its hybrid store concept. This intriguing establishment allows customers not only to shop, but also to buy quality products.
Get all the information you need
to understand this market

Detailed content of our market study

Inforamtion

  • Number of pages : ~ 40 pages
  • Format : Digital and PDF versions
  • Last update :
Update Details

Summary and extracts

1 Market overview

1.1 Market definition

Foods that are not part of daily consumption and are carefully selected are called delicacies or delicatessen. These include exotic vegetables and fruits, oysters, champagne, caviar, frogs' legs and snails. Delicatessen products are special foods such as pâtés, mayonnaises and seasoning sauces, selected meat products and cheeses, and fine salads such as poultry salad or Waldorf salad. Today, delicatessen also includes well-stocked fish and seafood departments with a wide range of products. It also includesregional specialties (for example, regional honey, regional coffee, tea, high-quality pastries, etc.) and rare products that require great expertise, such as fine wines and spirits and spices.

A delicatessen product is therefore a food product of exceptional or even very exceptional quality. Delicatessen products always have a history or a meaning and are an expression of an art of living

A delicatessen is a business that includes a variety of foods that are mainly of high quality.

For a long time, delicatessens were only physical outlets in large urban areas and associated with the big names of luxury.

Today, the 3 main distribution channels for delicatessen are:

  • Specialized delicatessens
  • Retail players
  • Specialized websites

All our studies are available online in PDF format

Take a look at an example of our research on another market!

Do you have a question about this study?   +44 238 097 0676

Latest news

Caviar producers Prunier and Neuvic to merge - 08/08/2023
  • Caviar de Neuvic and Caviar House & Prunier group to merge
  • Number of employees: approx. 100
  • The company will operate 5 sturgeon farms in France
  • Caviar production: over 25 tons per year
  • Salmon production: 350 tons (Balik brand)
  • Points of sale: over 40 in Europe and Asia
  • Prunier's Parisian restaurant on avenue Victor Hugo: operated by three-star chef Yannick Alleno.
Caviar: the birth of a French champion - 02/08/2023
  • The Caviar House & Prunier group is France's number one caviar producer.
  • The group has just acquired Caviar de Neuvic.
  • The Dordogne department is an important stronghold for French caviar.
  • Caviar de Neuvic was founded in 2011 by Laurent Deverlanges.
  • The Estudor fish farm, one of the world's first sturgeon farms, was saved from bankruptcy by Pierre Berger in 1998.
  • The Caviar House & Prunier group, which also includes Balik smoked salmon and a network of 40 boutiques in Europe and Asia, is 80% owned by Swiss fund Olma Luxury Holdings.
  • The group achieved revenues of 43 million euros in 2021.
  • Caviar de Neuvic employs 60 people and generates sales of 10 million euros.
  • With the acquisition of Caviar de Neuvic, Groupe Prunier now operates five farms in Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Occitanie, with a harvesting capacity of 25 tonnes, representing more than half of national production.
  • France ranks fourth in the world in caviar production, with 43 tons, behind China, Russia and Italy.
  • Caviar consumption in the United States is rising rapidly, from 50 to 100 tonnes in ten years.
  • Groupe Prunier plans to expand internationally, notably through the extension of Prunier Manufacture in the Gers and the conversion of carp ponds in the Tarn-et-Garonne for de Neuvic.

Companies quoted in this study

This study contains a complete overview of the companies in the market, with the latest figures and news for each company. :

Dallmayr distribution automatique France
Ankerkraut GmbH
Reichold Feinkost GmbH
Robert Lindner GmbH
Exotic-kitchen
Caviar House & Prunier Groupe

Choosing this study means :

Access to more than 35 hours of work

Our studies are the result of over 35 hours of research and analysis. Using our studies allows you to devote more time and added value to your projects.

Benefit from 6 years' experience and over 1,500 industry reports already produced

Our expertise enables us to produce comprehensive studies in all sectors, including niche and emerging markets.

Our know-how and methodology enable us to produce reports that offer unique value for money.

Access to several thousand articles and paid-for data

Businesscoot has access to all the paid economic press as well as exclusive databases to carry out its market research (over 30,000 articles and private sources).

To enhance our research, our analysts also use web indicators (semrush, trends, etc.) to identify market trends and company strategies. (Consult our paying sources)

Guaranteed support after your purchase

A team dedicated to after-sales service, to guarantee you a high level of satisfaction. +44 238 097 0676

A digital format designed for our users

Not only do you have access to a PDF, but also to a digital version designed for our customers. This version gives you access to sources, data in Excel format and graphics. The content of the study can therefore be easily retrieved and adapted for your specific needs.

Our offers :

the delicatessen market | Germany

99 €
  • What are the figures on the size and growth of the market?
  • What is driving the growth of the market and its evolution?
  • What is the positioning of companies in the value chain?
  • Data from several dozen databases

5 reports pack (-15%) DE Germany

75.6 € / study
378 € instead of 445 € -15%
  • 5 reports at €75.6 excluding VAT per study to choose from our German catalogue for 12 months
  • Save 15% on additional studies purchased
  • Choose to be refunded any unused credit at the end of the 12-month period (duration of the pack)

See the terms and conditions of the pack and the refund of unused credit.

Updates

Our customer references

They have consulted our studies Discover the opinions (+500)

Malcolm Vincent
Linkedin logo

Malcolm Vincent

Astoria Finance

Gregoire de Castelnau
Linkedin logo

Gregoire de Castelnau

Stags Participations

Timothé Huignard
Linkedin logo

Timothé Huignard

PWC

Paul-Alexis Kebabtchieff
Linkedin logo

Paul-Alexis Kebabtchieff

BCG

Aymeric Granet
Linkedin logo

Aymeric Granet

Publicis Consultant

interviews & case studies All interviews and case studies (45)

La pépite Interview

BFM Business

Paul-Alexis Kebabtchieff

Boston Consulting Group

Marie Guibart

Kea Partners

Elaine, Durand

Crédit Agricole, Information & Veille

Philippe Dilasser

Initiative & Finance

Anne Baudry

Metro

Amaury Wernert

Kroll (Duff & Phelps)

Smart Leaders Interview

B-Smart

Do you have a question ?
Our team is at your disposal at   +44 238 097 0676