Interview with Panagiotis Loukeris, CEO, Co-Founder of ADUS, at FOODReporter Magazine

Product shortages on the shelf costs double during the pandemic period

Takis Loukeris, co-owner and commercial director of Adus, spoke to FOODReporter about highly competitive market conditions during the pandemic period.

 “Market trends during covid-19 pandemic period, formed under ’war-like’ conditions, as everything changed abruptly, especially during the quarantine period,” Mr Loukeris said.

 “Due to the uncertainty, consumers -fearing food shortages-, followed an expected shopping pattern characterized by long queues and large sum of orders for basic goods.

Thus, sales of items such as alcoholic beverages, confectionery and, other non-essential products, declined. Meanwhile, the increased waiting time outside the stores, encouraged a significant number of consumers to shop online, which respectively lead to the increased demand for ready-made and frozen meals”, he said.

“Thereafter, while no products’ shortages emerged on supermarket shelves, people shopping preferences became normal again. However, as all restaurants remained closed, consumer preferences expanded to some low demand products’ categories helping them to rebound.