HOT MARKETS AT MID-YEAR — ECONOMIC DEFICIT DISORDER

The other two contrarians are #21 Food Service ($614B; with $4.1B to print, +5 percent) growing revenues at more than twice the rate of #7 Packaged Foods ($649B; with $9.9B to print, +16 percent).

Push-through packaging is getting more enticing, and pull-through merchandising more aggressive. FSIs, coupons, in-store, outdoor and direct mail promotions of home delivery and themed events will combine shopping with energy savings, nutrition, environment and anything imaginable that multiplies perceptions of value. Look to Whole Foods Market (+28 percent) as the model.