Canadian Retailer Meal Solutions Segment Primed to Steal Share, Technomic Says

CHICAGO, July 1, 2015 /CNW/ -- Technomic's Canadian Retailer Meal Solutions Consumer Trend Report shows that Canadian consumers increasingly view retail foodservice as offering higher quality, fresher, and more unique and healthful food than its fast-food restaurant competition. Due in part to increased focus on fresh prepared food at retail outlets and the expansion of these offerings to new retail channels, the firm estimates that retail foodservice grew 3.6 per cent in 2014.

"Competition both within and outside of the prepared-foods category must provide assurances of convenience and value—key reasons consumers purchase Retail Meal Solutions (RMS)," says Kelly Weikel, Technomic director of consumer insights. "Innovating and conveying quality will be key in differentiating. Retailers that deliver on freshness and uniqueness while providing an appealing experience will be most likely to succeed in gaining share of stomach."

[View larger INFOGRAPHIC: Spotlight on Retailer Meal Solutions]

In addition to tracking consumers' consumption behaviour, the Canadian Retailer Meal Solutions Consumer Trend Report compiles industry and competitive data and spotlights emerging foodservice-focused retail concepts. Operator and manufacturer marketing teams can easily leverage the report's key themes, which include:

• 75 per cent of consumers purchase retail meal solutions at least monthly, while 52 per cent of 18- to 34 year-olds purchase RMS three or more times per month.
• When comparing overall value at traditional supermarkets and fast-food restaurants, 39 per cent of consumers said supermarkets had better overall value compared to 15 per cent for fast food. See infographic for more comparisons.
• For the lunch and dinner dayparts at RMS locations, consumers would be likely to purchase these food items: chicken (64 per cent), pizza (59 per cent) and sandwich wraps (54 per cent). They would be most apt to buy these beverages: fountain soft drinks (38 per cent), hot or iced regular coffee (38 per cent) and fruit juice (30 per cent).

The Canadian Retailer Meal Solutions Consumer Trend Report from Technomic is one of many in its Consumer Trend Report series, offering the most current analysis, insight and opportunities to help grow your business. Our best-in-class intelligence combines 50 years of foodservice expertise with critical findings from more than 7,000 menus and nearly 30,000 annual consumer interviews.

Technomic publishes a complete library of Consumer Trend Reports. To learn more, please visit Technomic.com or contact one of the individuals listed below. For Technomic updates, please follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn or our blog.

Contacts:
Press and Report Inquires: Kelly Weikel, 312-506-3830, or [email protected]  
Purchasing Details: Patrick Noone, 312-506-3852, or [email protected]

About Technomic
Only Technomic delivers a 360-degree view of the food industry. We drive growth and profitability for our clients by providing the most reliable, consumer-grounded, channel-relevant data with forward-looking strategic insights. Our services range from major research studies and management consulting solutions to online databases and simple fact-finding assignments. Our clients include food manufacturers and distributors, restaurants and retailers, other foodservice organizations, and various institutions aligned with the food industry. Visit us at technomic.com.

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SOURCE Technomic