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Canned Chicken… What WERE they thinking?
I was at the wine and food fair at the weekend and came across CANNED CHICKEN.
It struck me that this was THE worst business idea in the world ever. New Zealand is like one big farm, chicken (especially caged, battery chicken) costs next to nothing really and we can eat it fresh. Who, in this country, would buy the canned stuff?
I went about surveying people and had the completely expected feedback: 9 out of the 10 people I asked had seen the chicken but wouldn’t go near it. 1 person tried some for novelties sake and found it horrendous.
Did these people do ANY market research?
I suppose it should give faith to everyone who thinks they have bad ideas. Seriously it can’t get much worse than this one and they still gave it a shot.
Or has the product been launched by some marketing company to prove that good marketing can sell ANYTHING?
May 19th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
Is that the Thai-made one? I bought some out of curiosity. My wife won’t let me open it :-)
I admit that it looks like generic protein in a can. I suspect that it competes with tofu in the taste department too.
May 19th, 2008 at 2:31 pm
@Bwooce: that’s unfair to tofu :)
Tofu is tasty, really…nice big chunks in some Miso soup. mmmm….
May 19th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
Is it Thai?
Could be… You BOUGHT some??!?
Nik, Miso soup? Yes, try it with canned chicken,t hey would be a good match!
But seriously, does anyone get how they will make money off this stuff?
May 19th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
Apparently (not from experience) it actually tastes like real chicken (because it is) and has little or no preservatives.
Also a recommendation from someone was that the smoked flavoured chicken in a can is really good.
I suppose it’s like the cheaper and more convienient way to have shredded chicken, instead of buying it at the deli and eating it in like 2 days you can pop it in the pantry and after a week - feel like chicken? no problem!
May 19th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
Clearly, Verity heads their marketing department.
Still not going to try it though.
May 19th, 2008 at 8:21 pm
Okay, so I’ve read the can now (Chop Chop is the brand). It may end up being end-of-the-world supplies now you’ve made it sound so attractive. I’m sure it is salmonella free though, and I got in on sale. The defense rests.
72% chicken, the rest is water and salt. @Verity: I’m sure it does taste like real chicken that has been sitting in water. I’m just not sure that chicken so mistreated tastes of anything much though, hence my comparison to generic soy protein. There were flavoured examples available, but I thought additive-free was a plus at the time.
It is Thai, which I have nothing against. I like Thai’s. Not to eat though. Dammit.
May 20th, 2008 at 12:19 am
Canned chicken v. KFC—decisions, decisions!
May 20th, 2008 at 4:28 am
Sounds to me like someone found a bargain on an old chicken farm and in hopes of turning a profit liquidated the assets (the chickens) and figured that eventually they’ll sell all the cans.
Heck even if it takes a decade, with inflation, they might make even more money.
May 20th, 2008 at 10:25 am
@canned chicken promoters. Congrats on the truely bizzare idea.
@all us commenters. Can “good marketing sell ANYTHING?” Maybe not in this case i think has more than a few flaws but look at all the free press its getting just off this post. Was viral marketing part of their evil canned chicken master plan?
May 20th, 2008 at 9:08 pm
Okay, I know you are going to roll your eyes, BUT…I don’t think its all that uncommon in the states to buy canned chicken to make chicken salad sandwiches.
A lot like tuna salad–whip in some mayonnaise, chopped celery, salt, pepper and a sprinkle of paprika –its not bad on toast.
Chicken salad made of fresh chicken is far superior, but the canned stuff can be made edible. We yanks are fearless when it comes to our canned food products–ever heard of SPAM? verrry popular in Hawaii.
Could you get into some of that?
May 21st, 2008 at 2:33 am
Sadly, Betsy’s right. Fresh chicken isn’t always an option for certain income ranges here in the States. My mom useed to use it in chicken salads when times were tough, and it’s healthier than most other fast foods. There are ways to make it interesting if you’re creative.
Gosh, I wonder what ya’ll would think of potted meat…
http://www.pk.org/pottedmeat.html
May 21st, 2008 at 10:39 am
Hi Americans! I totally agree, in SOME countries food like this is a goer. In New Zealand I just don’t think we need it! I can see how it’s a nice cheap meal but here chicken itself is fairly cheap (You can get like a whole roast chicken for about $4-$5 on sale)… Which is why I wonder why they even bothered to bring it here?
Besty is clearly joining Verity on the Marketing team, your description sounded almost yummy :)