A consumer trend report by market research firm Euromonitor International has predicted an increase in the demand for foodservice outlets offering global cuisine and 'dine-in' meal kits, as well as more innovative food-retail spaces, such as Food Markets.
The demand will be driven by consumers who increasingly shop for food with an 'experience' in mind rather than a meal.
The study also identified a growing market for smaller portions, with the number of single-person households expected to increase by 32% between 2016 and 2030, and the average living space in urban areas expected to shrink, resulting in less storage space.
Pinar Hoşafçı, senior food analyst at Euromonitor International, said: "Foodservice in the UK outperforms both the GDP and the retail sector. (...) Some of the most significant growth comes from consumers’ need for convenient food-to-go, which is offered through coffee shops and lately also fast-food restaurants."
She added, "Consumers consider meal kits to be a healthier alternative to dining out, with many services appealing to special diets, such as vegan or gluten-free. The precisely portioned dinners minimise waste and allow consumers to try ingredients they might not otherwise buy".
© 2016 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Martha Sparrius. To subscribe to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine, click here.
