Canadian retailers are set to compete with a wider array of restaurants via prepared food offerings

The 2019 Canadian Retailer Meal Solutions Consumer Trend Report explores shifts in retailer meal solutions, including patronage, increased competition for restaurants and extending consumer visits

CHICAGO, March 13, 2019—Retailer meal solutions are transforming the foodservice landscape, Technomic reveals in the 2019 Canadian Retailer Meal Solutions Consumer Trend Report. With increasingly upscale offerings and even in-store restaurants offered by some, lines continue to blur between retailers and restaurants as competition heats up for both limited-service and full-service operators. 

“For retailers, on-demand offerings such as the ability to order prepared foods online for pickup or delivery will be key to keeping pace with the restaurant industry as consumers increasingly expect these offerings from foodservice in general,” explains Bret Yonke, manager of consumer insights at Technomic. “Retailers will also need to strike a balance between offering affordable grab-and-go options and increasing efforts to become hangout destinations with pricier, higher-quality fare.”
 
Key takeaways from the report include: 

  • 75% of consumers purchase prepared foods from retailers at least once a month
  • Consumers say 58% of their prepared food purchases are ready-to-eat vs. ready-to-heat items
  • Carryout is the most popular format for prepared food orders, with consumers saying about 81% of their supermarket RMS purchases are for carryout

Compiling findings from 900 consumer responses, the comprehensive 2019 Canadian Retailer Meal Solutions Consumer Trend Report serves as a guide for retailers and suppliers to help them better understand how consumer patronage, attitudes and preferences toward retailer meal solutions are evolving and to identify prime opportunity areas.  
 
Technomic publishes a complete library of Consumer Trend Reports. To learn more, please visit technomic.com or contact one of the individuals listed below. 

Contacts:
Press inquiries and report details: Anne Mills, (312) 506-3867, amills@technomic.com
Purchasing details: Patrick Noone, (312) 506-3852, pnoone@technomic.com
 
About Technomic 
Technomic, Inc., a Winsight company, was founded as a management consulting firm in 1966. Since then, Technomic’s services have grown to encompass cloud-based B2B research tools, consumer and menu trend tracking, as well as other leading strategic research and analytic capabilities, to prioritize and size business opportunities. Our clients include food manufacturers and distributors, restaurants, retailers and multiple other business verticals aligned with the food industry that are looking to make informed decisions to support their business growth. Visit Technomic at www.technomic.com

About Winsight LLC
Winsight LLC is a recognized leader in business-to-business media and information services for the convenience-retailing, foodservice and grocery industries. Winsight has an extensive media portfolio, including five publications: CSP, Restaurant Business, FoodService Director, Convenience Store Products and Winsight Grocery Business. Winsight also offers a suite of digital products, including websites, e-newsletters, webinars, video products, mobile and tablet apps, and custom marketing solutions. In addition to more than 12 major EduNetworking conferences and advisory meetings, Winsight also produces seven exclusive, large-scale executive-level conferences: Restaurant Leadership Conference, Global Restaurant Leadership Conference, Outlook Leadership Conference, Convenience Retailing University, FSTEC, MenuDirections and Restaurant Directions. In 2015, Winsight acquired Technomic Inc., a provider of primary and secondary market information and advisory services for the food industry. For more information on Winsight and its brands, go to www.winsightmedia.com.

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