With two in three consumers reporting more fresh food purchases, retailers are increasing the space allotted to fresh foods in their stores to meet the rise in consumer demand. But despite these trends, total fresh food sales continue to be outpaced in growth compared to overall food sales, creating untapped potential for retailers and manufacturers, according to the Future of Fresh study, which provides key insights into consumer behavior and how manufacturers and retailers can grow the fresh food category. Deloitte surveyed 2,000 consumers and 153 fresh food industry executives to gain deeper insight into fresh food consumers as well as fresh food manufacturers and retailers.
Advanced analysis on U.S. fresh food consumers’ attitudes and behavioral patterns revealed three distinct buying personas:
Much like consumers, companies in the retail and manufacturing space are also embracing the fresh food category at varying levels. When assessing companies on the criteria of percentage of revenue from fresh foods in relation to the annual budget for technology and supporting processes, four types of organizations emerge: Leaders, Learners, Aspirers, and Testers.
Leaders are achieving higher fresh food sales with smaller teams and greater investment in technology and supporting processes. Leaders are more than three times as likely to have a centralized staff for fresh foods (20%) than Learners (6%) and tend to have smaller teams, with 71% having less than 20 people managing their fresh foods categories. Leaders also tend to have a slower growth in fresh food staff with only a 27% annual increase compared to 53% for Learners. Leaders also show more caution when growing their budgets, with a 57% annual increase compared to 79% for Learners.
When it comes to managing fresh foods, manufacturers cite the following challenges: quality control of raw materials on the factory floor (25%), processing (20%), and procurement of raw materials (13%). For retailers, key challenges are spoilage (32%), product pricing (16%), and shelf life (15%). Storage is also a key concern for both manufacturers (20%) and retailers (24%).
“There’s untapped consumer demand and multiple opportunities for manufacturers and retailers to more efficiently provide fresh foods to consumers,” concluded Deloitte’s study. “As Forwards grow older, and their incomes increase, it’s likely their dedication to fresh foods will continue. Additionally, if demand can be stimulated among the largest group of fresh consumers, Followers, even small increases in this group would be beneficial to the broader fresh food category. Such targeted consumer analysis, coupled with efforts from manufacturers around integrating the supply chain and improving efficiencies through the use of technology, can truly help realize the growth potential of fresh foods.”
The latest research from Mintel shows that after several years of growth, the foodservice industry is expected to decline by up to 30% from 2019 to 2020, following nationwide dine-in bans/restrictions, restaurant closures, job losses, and lowered consumer confidence.
The latest research from Mintel shows that after several years of growth, the foodservice industry is expected to decline by up to 30% from 2019 to 2020, following nationwide dine-in bans/restrictions, restaurant closures, job losses, and lowered consumer confidence.
According to Innova Market Insights’ COVID-19 Consumer Survey (conducted in March 2020), in China, India, and Indonesia, personal concerns center on health, personal income, and the availability of healthcare and products to buy.
According to Innova Market Insights’ COVID-19 Consumer Survey (conducted in March 2020), in China, India, and Indonesia, personal concerns center on health, personal income, and the availability of healthcare and products to buy.
COVID case surges across the United States and the subsequent rollbacks in re-opening plans have stalled the U.S. restaurant industry’s recovery, reported The NPD Group.