View the U.S. Retail Market for Traditional American Bread and
European-Style Specialty Bread

DUBLIN, Ireland--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 9, 2005--Research and Markets
(http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c27401) has announced the
addition of Bread in the United States to their offering.


The $16 billion U.S. bread market has shown growth of 18% from 1998 to
2003. Bread is a staple household food, as evidenced by near total
household penetration. With the variety of bread types and formats
available, there is a product to cater to nearly every consumer
preference.

Growth in the market is driven by taste trends and fresh formats of
traditional products, and is also influenced by diet and health
concerns. Key growth categories are those that offer the most flavor
variations, like the wide range of specialty/artisan bread, which
increased sales 18% from 2001 to 2003. Whole grain/wheat varieties
also proved to be a key growth area as the drive towards more
healthful eating likely inspired many consumers to turn towards this
segment in bread selection. Kid favorites--white bread, tortillas,
rolls, biscuits, bagels, and pita (all forms of white bread) have
shown slower growth, and will likely continue doing so.

As a whole, we expect bread sales to continue a pattern of slow,
steady growth as manufacturers find profitable niches to balance out
the large, very mature segments of the market. Specialty/artisan bread
will continue to provide the most growth, as these products have not
reached the state of maturity attained by leading segments, such as
white bread, and have more potential for interesting flavors and
textures. Also, specialty bread appeals most to older adults, who are
willing to spend more for bread. Other growth will be found in frozen
breads of all types as they offer a convenient fresh bread product
that can be stored until ready to use.

This report addresses all the key issues affecting the bread market,
such as competition from breakfast alternatives and the importance of
children to the market. Our original consumer research penetrates
attitudes about the category and examines purchasing behavior by age,
gender, ethnicity and income. A six-year trend analysis predicts
future growth for the market, helping you form a long-term marketing
strategy.

Covered by this report is the U.S. retail market for traditional
American bread and European-style specialty bread. Traditional
American bread includes white, brown and whole grain, which may be
sliced or unsliced, wrapped or unwrapped. Continental and specialty
bread includes foreign recipe products, such as French baguettes and
pain de campagne, Italian focaccia, Greek pita, Indian naan, chapati
and paratha, American flatbread and sourdough and Irish soda bread. In
addition, bread made from flour other than wheat, such as rye or oat
flour, or from organic flour, and bread containing additions such as
nuts and seeds are also considered specialty bread. Tortillas include
corn and flour tortillas as well as taco shells and tostados. Also
included in this report are croissants and English muffins. Bread that
is purchased for home consumption and which may be taken out of
home--for example, sandwiches for a packed lunch--is included. Each
bread type includes sales of fresh, refrigerated, and frozen products.

This report includes IRI InfoScan data.

Companies Mentioned:

Interstate Bakeries Corporation

Bimbo Bakeries USA

Sara Lee Bakery Group

George Weston Bakeries

Flowers Bakeries

General Mills

Pepperidge Farm

Private Label

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c27401