Foodservice Solutions® Top Six Reasons Consumer Buy Prepared Meals

 

Consumers are dynamic not static according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®. So, the question becomes just why are consumers in 2024 time-starved? Ok, let’s see a few reasons:

·         Busy Lives: The juggle of work, family, and personal commitments continue to be a major time drain.

·         Economic Factors: With lingering economic effects from past events, some may need to work longer hours or take on extra jobs to make ends meet.

·         Technology Overload: The constant barrage of information and notifications can make it hard to focus and can fragment free time.

Now, we have to ask are they more time-starved than in 2020?

It's hard to say definitively, but some factors suggest they might be:

·         Post-Pandemic Effects: The pandemic might have caused long-term shifts in work culture, with more remote work leading to "always-on" mentalities.

·         Evolving Technology: As AI and automation become more integrated into daily life, new demands on attention and new ways to fill time gaps could emerge.

However, there are also trends that could be mitigating time pressures:

·         Focus on Convenience: Businesses are increasingly catering to time-starved consumers with faster services, delivery options, and streamlined experiences.

·         Time Management Tools: Technology can be a double-edged sword, but there's also a rise in time management apps and productivity hacks that could help people be more efficient.

Overall, time scarcity remains a significant issue for consumers, though the specific challenges might have evolved since 2020. The demand for grocerant niche Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat fresh prepared food continues to drive customer adoption of meal solutions including fresh prepared meals, meal components, and beverages that cam be mixed and matched into a perfect family meal.

Here are Foodservice Solutions® six top reasons consumers buy fresh prepared food at grocery stores:

1.       Convenience: This is the biggest driver. People are busy and don't have a lot of time to cook elaborate meals from scratch Prepared food offers a quick and easy solution for lunch, dinner, or even a snack.

2.       Variety: Grocery stores offer a wide variety of prepared foods, from ethnic cuisines to healthy options to classic comfort food. This allows consumers to try new things without having to buy all the ingredients themselves.

3.       Quality and Taste: Grocery stores have gotten better at offering fresh, high-quality prepared foods that taste good. This is especially appealing to consumers who may not be confident in their own cooking skills.

4.       Price: Prepared food can be a relatively affordable option, especially compared to eating out at a restaurant.

5.       Portion Control: Prepared meals can help with portion control, which is important for people who are watching their weight.

6.       Dietary Needs: Many grocery stores offer prepared foods that cater to specific dietary needs, such as gluten-free, vegetarian, or vegan options.

Don’t over reach. Are you ready for some fresh ideations? Do your food marketing ideations look more like yesterday than tomorrow? Interested in learning how Foodservice Solutions® can edify your retail food brand while creating a platform for consumer convenient meal participation, differentiation and individualization?  Email us at: Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us or visit us on our social media sites by clicking the following links: Facebook,  LinkedIn, or Twitter

ShopRite Moving from Grocery Store to Grocerant

 

Success does leave clues now that there are 34.5 Restaurants for every grocery store.  ShopRite is one of the grocers that says enough is enough, its time to move with the consumer.  Consumers are dynamic not static and they have been on the move for 40 years leaving the grocery sector for the restaurant sector.  In fact, over the past 16 years there are 50% fewer grocery stores and 38.9% more restaurants.

Ok, we are in the middle of a pandemic and the grocery sector is doing great.  However, its not because they are doing the right things for the consumer.  Yes, restaurants are still closing.  Pay attention that will not last forever, rents will be reduced and new entrepreneurial foodies will step up, stand out, and make waves with new restaurants and grocerants that will continue to disrupt legacy chain grocery and restaurant chains according to Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®.

One grocery chain has stepped up, is looking a customer ahead, and focusing on the consumer.  That company is ShopRite.  They have revamped and renamed their deli ordering app, providing shoppers the ability to easily shop ahead for prepared foods, deli, floral and other specialty items for pick-up and delivery. When you look closely you will see it has the look and feel of a top tier chain restaurant. Bravo!

So, the ShopRite Order Express app, expands its available features and added new options offered in a fresh look. The new app will automatically upload for current app users. New customers can download it from their phone’s app store or scan a QR code in the store seamlessly.

Meal focus, family oriented, consumers can order game day platters and birthday catering, including cakes and desserts, sandwich platters, appetizers, entrees, fruits and veggies, salads, sides, seafood, sushi, as well as floral arrangements and balloons. 

We should note they also can still order deli meats and cheeses in advance to have them ready at the counter when they visit the store along with sandwiches, pizza, rotisserie chicken and other items that can also be ordered ahead for easy pick up or delivery at select stores.

Building on our Grocerant Guru’s customization and personalization essentials for fresh food sales success you can use the custom cake builder included on the new app. For personalization options for cake design include flavors, filling, frosting colors and messages.  Are you looking a customer ahead or are is your store looking more like yesterdays store?

Success does leave clues. One clue that time and time again continues to resurface is “the consumer is dynamic not static”.  Regular readers of this blog know that is the common refrain of Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®.  Our Grocerant Guru® can help your company 253-759-7869.