Retailer prepared foods are increasingly a destination driver for shoppers
Prepared foods continue to present a major opportunity for retailers, including convenience stores, and consumers are increasingly visiting retailers specifically to buy prepared foods, according to Technomic’s “2017 Retailer Meal Solutions Consumer Trend Report.”
Prepared foods continue to present a major opportunity for retailers, including convenience stores, and consumers are increasingly visiting retailers specifically to buy prepared foods, according to Technomic’s “2017 Retailer Meal Solutions Consumer Trend Report.”
Almost 80% of all consumers reported that they purchase prepared meals at least once a month, an interestingly, snacking has overtaken lunch and dinner as the leading weekly retailer meal solutions (RMS) occasion. In addition, the report found that 55% of consumers eat prepared foods within an hour of purchase.
“RMS [retailer meal solutions] will continue to steal share from the fast-food segment; however, the addition of seating areas, bars, and expanded made-to-order offerings means retailers will also increasingly compete with sit-down restaurants,” said Kelly Weikel, director of consumer insights for Technomic. “Price, décor, and ambiance will be key battlegrounds moving forward as RMS operators increase efforts to become hangout destinations and increasingly offer higher-quality fare such as scratch-made pizzas and smoothie bars.”