For almost a century the local butcher shop was a staple in every neighborhood. A key part of the grocery shopping experience, which often involved placing orders to multiple stores and having those orders filled by a clerk beforehand: Produce markets, dry goods stores, and the butcher were all necessary stops to complete the weekly groceries.
However, at the end of the 1960s the market shifted dramatically. The increased availability of pre-processed meat products, and the growing popularity of Supermarkets allowed for all groceries to be purchased under one roof (and with self-service). This saw the rapid decline of the neighborhood Butcher Shop.
But after sixty years of playing second-fiddle, Butcher Shops and Meat Markets are back on the rise. There are several reasons for this resurgence and many things a successful Butcher Shop needs to operate.
Where’s the Beef?
Being a butcher is not just a job, but a trade. Meats at butcher shops are often delivered whole, needing to be cut or processed. For example butchers generally order sides of beef (essentially half a cow) and proceed to cut and process the parts into sellable products and specific cuts. This was how most meat was processed until the late 1960s, which saw meat distributors moving to a new model: Selling boxes of already processed beef, pork, and poultry.
For butcher shops, this took away an integral part of how their businesses operated. It also allowed Supermarkets to obtain a larger share of the butcher market, able to move pre-processed products much more quickly and for less money. Butcher shops as a local staple began to fade away, becoming another component of Grocery Stores and Supermarkets.
No Longer on the Chopping Block
With Supermarkets taking such a large portion of the market, butcher shops seemed relegated to being uncommon specialty shops. A place to go if you wanted something harder to find, custom cut, or much higher quality. The demand for this has always existed on some level, but had waned against pricing and convenience. However, the past few years have seen a major reversal for these classic shops – with year over year increases in Meat Markets and Butcher Shop growth since 2022. There are a few reasons for this:
Locally and Ethically Sourced
Modern consumers want to know where their foods are coming from. When it comes to meats, there has been a long conversation about ethical sourcing. These products come from living creatures, and how those animals are treated increasingly matters to consumers. Supermarkets and Grocery stores also have taken notes from this, and seeing labels for locally sourced meats and produce, pesticide free foods, etc..
But as Butcher Shops specialize in one type of product, they can take this a few steps further. Offering a more knowledgeable take on both the source and quality of their products. Most of them also break down animals in their entirety, utilizing every part available. This means less goes to waste and consumers know exactly where their meal is coming from.
A Culinary Adventure
Supermarkets are ultimate place for food retail. With the ability to source products from all over the world, create a convenient location that provides all household food staples in one place, as well as offer reduced pricing, it’s clear they are here to stay. But when consumers want something new, exciting, and outside the norm, that is where Butcher Shops and Specialty Markets comes in to play!
For special cuts of beef or more exotic offerings like elk, quail, or bison, a butcher shop is sure to have what you are looking for, or be able to point you in the right direction. They may offer aged beef, or specific cuts that are hard to find at a supermarket. The Butchers at these shops know exactly where their products came from. For a lot of farm-to-table foodies that is part of the adventure as well. One they are happy to pay a little extra for.
How the Sausages Are Made
Butcher shops are specialty food retail. They require many things to operate successfully, and like any other business they rely on having a unique aesthetic and branding to draw in customers and elevate their products.
GTI Designs has been providing a turn-key solution to butcher shops for over thirty years. We are happy to see more of these shops entering the market as it represents an exciting shift in our industry (plus it allows us to design more cool butcher shops!). Here are a few of the must-haves for any butcher shop that GTI Designs can provide:
Refrigerated Display Cases
For a butcher shop, the display cases are the heart of the business. Often channeled across the entire counter. This is where customers connect with the business, it is the majority of their experience there. Viewing products, waiting in line, asking questions, and making their purchases.
It is also where perishable products are kept for many hours at a time. For food service, nothing is more important than safety. Ensuring your business has a professional quality display case is all-important. This is not just for safety either. These displays are there to sell your products, and finding the correct one for your business will absolutely translate to more sales!
GTI Designs offers a wide range of butcher shop display cases at multiple price points. Some of these displays are more advanced than others, but all of them adhere to our extremely high standard for quality. Our displays also come backed with our Nationwide Warranty, to ensure you have peace of mind.
No matter what model of display case you decide on, there are often varying styles, sizes, and features to choose from. Luckily, our experienced representatives are available to discuss your business and help you find the perfect one for your business!
Custom Counters
The counter is an important part of your employee’s work experience an efficiency. It also is an important part of your branding and aesthetic. While we can help you integrate your display case into an existing counter, GTI Designs can also create custom counters designed with your specific needs in mind. Our ability to create custom millwork will ensure you achieve the perfect look for your concept!
Specialty Equipment
Commercial refrigerators and freezers, to temperature regulated stainless steel back bars and to durable worktops. GTI Designs offers all this and more. Similarly to counters, GTI Designs can create unique stainless steel back bars with countless options for temperature regulated (as well as dry/ambient) cabinets and drawers.
For Butcher Shops looking to truly set themselves apart, GTI Design also offers state-of-the-art Meat Aging Cabinets. These units have options for four sided glass and create the ideal environment for aging cuts of beef.
Design
Our team has been designing butcher shops, meat markets, delicatessens, and grocery stores for over 33 years. We know how to bring your food service vision to life. We also know the technical ins-and-outs of your business. Making sure your shop is up to code, meets all legal requirements, and is created in a way that increases efficiency and customer experience.
With 2D and 3D renderings, you can see your shop, store, or market before work even begins!
Set Yourself Apart From Start To Finish!
GTI Designs offers all of our products and services a la carte. But our ability to provide multiple solutions under one roof saves our customers time and money. With Display Cases, Equipment, Counters, and Design expertise, GTI Designs can help you create the food service concept of your dreams!
Tell us all about your concept at:
631-981-2100
CustomerService@gtidesigns.com