In the cheese aisle, it seems consumers are still reaching for that natural slice, chunk or shredded cheese option versus their processed cousins. With consumers becoming more health-conscious every day and more informed about their food, the natural cheese category continues to dominate.
Data from SymphonyIRI Group, Chicago, show that sales in the natural cheese category are up 5.7% to $11.3 billion and units rose 1.7% to 3.3 billion, in the 52 weeks ended Oct. 7, 2012. Compare that to the processed cheese segment, which saw sales decrease 0.2% to $3.2 billion and units decrease 3.9% to 947.2 million in the same time period. (See pie chart.)