Selling Food to Men the 2014 Food Trend

In a new study by Daymon Worldwide titled Men on a Mission the report found that “52 percent of primary male shoppers in the United States were personally responsible for about 78 percent of all groceries purchased for their household in the last month.”  Simply put who are you targeting in your ad’s?

Carla Cooper CEO of Daymon Worldwide stated: “"While females and mothers have long been the focus for grocery retailers, males and fathers now represent a major business opportunity,". "We've seen a few recent 'snapshot' male shopper studies that have quantified this demographic segment, but we felt strongly that we needed to provide the industry with a more comprehensive analysis of exactly who these male shoppers are, what they believe about themselves and how they differ from each other. These are the building blocks for retailers and manufacturers to create the right mix of products and services to maximize purchases and increase loyalty."

Andres Siefken, Daymon Worldwide's chief marketing officer went on saying "Nearly 50 percent of all U.S. men make mission-oriented trips to shop for a specific item or group of items, including takeout to eat at home," said. "Additionally, 60 percent of male shoppers are personally responsible for all or nearly all of their household's grocery shopping." Restaurants selling Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat need to focus on men in both segments.

The Men on a Mission the study found that male shoppers can be segmented into six archetypes they are:

Traditional Male (15 percent) -- A slightly older group of men who are more set in their ways and would like to turn back the clock to more traditional gender roles. They are big fans of home cooking, but likely believe it should be done by the woman of the house. 

Modern-Day Male (12 percent) -- These are more forward-thinking male shoppers that believe in equality and enjoy being active participants in sharing household chores and cooking. They also enjoy home-cooked meals, but might prefer being the actual chef.

 Primal Male (14 percent) -- This group tends to be older and often believes they are the dominant sex and can better handle cooking and shopping roles compared to their female counterparts. 

Confused Male (19 percent) -- This younger group of men tends to be in a state of confusion when it comes to gender roles. Possibly unconsciously, they think women should do the cooking and cleaning, but another part of them doesn't want to offend women and looks to appease them. They also often struggle with their identity and hesitate to show off their feminine side. 

Discerning Male (20 percent) -- These highly educated men usually command a higher income and share many similar traits to the Modern-Day male archetype as they also believe in equality, supporting their spouse in any way needed, and owning many of the household chores. They are more involved in food shopping and focus on the highest-quality options. They are also somewhat more likely to tap into their feminine side.  

In addition with the six distinct archetypes, the study also identified six specific types of "mission-oriented," occasion-based shopping trips:

Well MAN-nered (13 percent) -- Male shoppers who go on this mission are seeking to purchase items that show that they care and to accommodate special entertaining occasions that will allow them to impress their families and friends while enjoying the process. The "Confused Male" shopper often falls into this segment.

 Stockpiling the Man Cave (10 percent) -- Male shoppers that take this less sophisticated, "search and retrieve" approach to shopping usually do so in preparation for entertaining or hosting a more informal gathering like tailgates for sporting events, game nights or hanging out with friends. The "Primal Male" archetype often falls into this segment.
 

On DeMANd (23 percent) -- Quick and easy convenience is the endgame for male shoppers who go on these types of missions as they look to pick up something quick for dinner, either from the grocery store or takeout from a restaurant. The "Traditional Male" archetype often falls into this segment.  

Man-Shape (13 percent) -- This trip is all about achieving a healthier lifestyle. Male shoppers on this mission are willing to take their time to explore the store to find their favorite healthy product offerings, or even try something new. Both the "Discerning" and "Heckled" male shopper archetypes often fall into this segment.  

Crowd MANagement (26 percent) -- This mission-oriented trip calls for more robust shopping occasions geared to finding something for everyone at the table. These trips are usually done early in the day, and involve browsing and searching for appealing options. The "Modern-Day Male" archetype often falls into this segment.  

Man-riety (15 percent) -- These occasions are about switching things up or trying something different. There is an exploration component to these trips as shoppers are looking for something out of the ordinary. The "Confused Male" shopper often falls into this segment.

Outside eyes can deliver inside sales. What are you bundling with you core products? Who are your customers and where and how can you sell them more? For more Visit www.FoodserviceSolutions.us  or http://www.linkedin.com/in/grocerant or twitter.com/grocerant