Retail Foodservice Purchases Increase Over 2017, New Technomic Study Finds

Technomic, a management consulting firm that publishes a complete library of Consumer Trend Reports, found that 66 percent of consumers purchase prepared foods from retail at least three times a month, compared to 55 percent in 2017, according to a company press release.

Technomic’s 2019 Retail Foodservice Consumer Trend Report takes a look at what’s driving this growth, including recent retailer investments in foodservice menu variety and quality.

“Regularly scheduled grocery trips drive many prepared foods purchases as consumers appreciate being able to take care of grocery shopping while also having access to a freshly prepared meal or snack,” explains Bret Yonke, manager of consumer insights at Technomic. “Moving forward, full-service restaurant and food hall experiences will begin to roll out more frequently which is likely to encourage consumers to consider retail foodservice for a wider variety of occasions.”

Highlights from the report include:

• 73 percent of prepared foods purchases are taken to go
• 71 percent of grocery delivery users say they would add a prepared-foods meal to their grocery delivery orders at least occasionally
• 47 percent of consumers eat their prepared foods immediately after purchase (as opposed to waiting an hour, a day, etc.)

Exploring direct responses from more than 1,400 consumers, as well as current and future menu trends, the comprehensive 2019 Retail Foodservice Consumer Trend Report helps retail foodservice operators and suppliers keep abreast of consumers’ evolving behavior, attitudes and preferences toward retail foodservice and to identify opportunity areas.