U.S. Deli Foods Industry - Statistics & Facts
To satisfy consumer demand for fresh products, ever-increasing numbers of retailers are presenting large deli departments in their stores. The importance of the deli foods industry is growing; it covers categories such as prepared foods, meat, cheese, and beverages. Often, a fresh bakery section is included. The concept behind deli departments originally started in Germany as early as the 1700s, with retail establishments offering exotic fruits and imported prepared foods to customers referred to as 'Delicatessen'. European immigration to the United States brought along the concept of delicatessen in the 19th century, before the abbreviated version of the name 'deli' gained popularity in the country.
Since the first-ever deli opened in New York in the 1880s, total deli department sales in the United States have since grown considerably and in 2020, exceeded 41 billion U.S. dollars, almost double the sales figure of 24.3 billion less than a decade earlier in 2014.
Since the first-ever deli opened in New York in the 1880s, total deli department sales in the United States have since grown considerably and in 2020, exceeded 41 billion U.S. dollars, almost double the sales figure of 24.3 billion less than a decade earlier in 2014.
