Many retailers have found success with prepared foods, and a recent study shows 2018 should be even bigger for the category.
In December, Technomic release its 2017 Retailer Meal Solutions Consumer Trend Report, which shows consumers are increasingly visiting supermarkets to buy prepared foods.
Key findings were that about 80% of consumers report purchasing prepared meals at least once a month; snacking has overtaken lunch and dinner as the leading weekly prepared food eating occasion; and 55% of consumers eat prepared foods within an hour of purchase.
“(Retail 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, in a news release.
“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.”
The study can be purchased from Technomic here.
Kitchen 1883
One retailer is making news with a high-end meal solution.
Cincinnati-based Kroger continues to receive praise for its full-scale, sit-down restaurant Kitchen 1883, which opened in late 2017 next door to a Super Kroger in Union, Ky., a Cincinnati suburb.
Its theme is called comfort Americana, and it’s gotten positive reviews for its food quality and reasonable prices and willingness to change the menu when items such as fresh fruits and vegetables go in and out of season.
A Kroger spokeswoman said Kroger will open more restaurants if the concept is successful.