Competition heats up in Canada as emerging channels enter the playing field, new Technomic Consumer Trend Report reveals

Technomic’s 2019 Canadian Emerging Channels Consumer Trend Report investigates the impact emerging channels such as food halls, food trucks, eatertainment and meal kits will have on restaurants going forward

CHICAGO, June 18, 2019 — Emerging channels in Canada are delivering a new wave of competition for traditional foodservice operators. Technomic’s 2019 Canadian Emerging Channels Consumer Trend Report explores these new players, covering everything from food halls to meal kits. While usage of these channels is currently low overall, there is strong appeal among younger consumers. This, along with future expansion plans, means that emerging channels are poised to steal share from restaurants moving forward.

“For younger consumers, a wider variety of need states compared to older consumers and a greater willingness to experiment and try new things leads to greater usage of emerging channels,” explains Bret Yonke, manager of consumer insights at Technomic. “Moving forward, the broad nature of these channels means competition on multiple fronts. Food halls and food trucks will be the greatest threat for lunch occasions, while eatertainment and meal kits will challenge for dinner dollars.”

Key takeaways from the report include:

  • 75% at least somewhat agree that food halls often introduce them to dishes they’ve never tried before
  • 49% say meal kits make cooking less of a chore
  • 52% say that if their favourite food truck opened a restaurant, they would be likely to visit
  • Dinner is the most common daypart for eatertainment concepts—66% say they typically visit for this daypart

 

Compiling findings from 1,400 consumer responses, as well as trends, the comprehensive 2019 Canadian Emerging Channels Consumer Trend Report serves as a guide for foodservice operators and suppliers to help them better understand consumer usage, attitudes and preferences toward emerging channels and to identify 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, noone@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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