Retail foodservice has undergone a significant transformation since the era of ‘home meal replacement’ as retailers have shifted their focus from deli offerings positioned as a convenient alternative to home cooking to higher-quality meal solutions promoted as a more affordable choice than restaurants.
Technomic has been an early leader in tracking this evolving segment, completing its landmark Retailer Meal Solutions multi-client study in 2007. Since then, retailers have continued to raise the bar and further changes have developed that warrant revisiting the next generation of retail foodservice.
This updated and expanded examination of the retail segment will help forward-thinking manufacturers understand how they can capitalize on growing opportunities with a broad range of retail operators.
The primary objectives of this study are to identify and update the “size of the prize” for the retailer meal solutions market and the critical success factors for manufacturers to effectively target their opportunities. More specifically, this study:
For purposes of this study, and to mirror retailer practices, Technomic defines retailer meal solutions as ‘prepared (or partially prepared) foods that are found in sections of the store where consumers can pick up ready-to-eat or ready-to-heat items from service counters or self-service/grab-and-go areas. These are products that do not require extensive preparation beyond reheating (if applicable).’
Frozen foods and packaged items typically found in center-store aisles are not included in the true definition of RMS. Fountain, dispensed and hot brewed beverages are included, while bottled and canned drinks are not.
This study covers foods sold at the following types of retail venues:
Venue |
Examples |
|---|---|
| Traditional Supermarkets | Safeway, Albertsons, Publix |
| Upscale Supermarkets | Bristol Farms, Wegmans |
| Natural/Organic Supermarkets | Whole Foods, Wild Oats |
| Other Specialty Food Stores | Trader Joe's, Dean & Deluca |
| C-Stores | 7-Eleven, Sheetz, Wawa |
| Warehouse/Club Stores | Costco, Sam's Club, BJ's |
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