Danish consumers are price-sensitive and seek value-for-money offerings, so supermarket chains should test new strategies over the forecast period to increase profitability and ensure maximum profit returns.
Major transnational fast-food chains maintain extensive networks in Denmark. Their cafes are usually in civic centers and shopping promenades, offering various dishes catering to diverse consumer preferences and tastes.
Supermarkets
Danish shoppers prioritize quality over quantity when it comes to supermarket shopping, choosing supermarkets that stock local, organic, eco-friendly options, fresh produce, and dairy. As a result, these stores tend to be well-stocked with groceries and essential supplies.
Fotex, Netto, and Bilka supermarket chains maintain an expansive presence across the country in urban and suburban neighborhoods. Their stores often provide convenient parking facilities and various services, such as delivery, credit card payments, and home delivery; additionally, they sell everyday essentials such as paper products, detergents, and toiletries.
Millennial and Gen-Z consumers are leading this segment to new heights, thanks to their voracious appetites and digital proficiency redefining how fast food is consumed. From ordering gourmet meals delivered straight to their homes to summoning rides at the push of a button – these consumers are pushing the Danish retail industry forward in ways never seen before.
Though its growth had slowed over the past years, following the nationwide lockdown enforced during the COVID-19 outbreak, it experienced a dramatic turnaround. This recovery can be attributed to the revitalization of the economy and shift toward healthier diets while inflation and household income increases are prompting consumers to look for value-for-money food service offerings.
Convenience Stores
Denmark is world-renowned for its food, so it comes as no surprise that Denmark offers many fast-food restaurants, offering both healthful and flavorful offerings. These can be found throughout the country and even set up in civic areas.
Danish food service market had an encouraging performance in 2021, although value sales remain below those seen before the COVID-19 lockdown early in the year. Still, industry recovery can be seen, and convenience stores increasingly offer healthier products to meet customer demands.
Consumers have become more health-conscious, prompting an uptick in demand for healthy options from grab-and-go providers. Organic and premium quality items remain at the top of consumers’ wish lists, while freshly prepared foods such as sandwiches, salads, smoothies, and hot beverages have also grown.
The Danish convenience retail sector is highly competitive, featuring numerous colorful chains competing for customer request share. 7-Eleven Denmark was recently recognized as the 2019 NACS International Convenience Retailer of the Year thanks to their use of technology for driving engagement, specifically through tieing deals and loyalty initiatives into an established app and offering self-scan-and-pay. They also aim to connect beyond store boundaries through social media connections.
Specialty Food Stores
Denmark differs significantly from American grocery stores by not favoring full-service supermarkets as much; instead, its grocery stores tend to be smaller convenience and discount shops that serve mainly civic areas as quick stops for food or beverage purchases. Although these shops may be smaller than their American counterparts, they typically carry a more comprehensive selection of products.
Convenience stores have long been an integral part of Danish food culture, yet they now face stiff competition from local and international supermarket chains. Over time, these supermarkets will strive to win customer loyalty by providing lower prices and greater variety while improving customer service.
Consumer foodservice experienced a modest recovery after its value sales suffered during the COVID-19 pandemic, though it still fell below 2019 pre-pandemic levels. The rebound can be attributed to healthier diets and more affordable offerings.
Danish food service industry employees enjoy benefits American fast-food workers can only dream about. Employees receive five weeks of paid vacation, sick leave, maternity/paternity leave, and pension plans with work schedules allocated four weeks in advance – ensuring its continued viability over the years to come.
Grab-N-Go
Denmark may be one of the more costly European countries, but there are ways to save on meals. You could try eating at street food stands like hot dog stands instead of pricey restaurants or buying groceries in supermarkets and taking your lunch with you for picnicking in popular attractions across Denmark.
Copenhagen has some of the world’s finest dining establishments, coffee shops, and fresh food markets. Danes love snacking on salted licorice, pickled herring, open-faced smorrebrod sandwiches topped with liver pate spread as well as salted licorice candies or open-faced smorrebrod sandwiches covered in salted butter pate spread for breakfast, or lunch in its cozy cafe atmosphere. It would be unhygge to not linger over your meal or drink coffee during lunch or breakfast in one of Copenhagen’s many cafes/marketplaces/marketplaces!
