Millennials driving growth in retail foodservice: Technomic

Consumers — especially those aged 18-34 — are purchasing retailer meal solutions more often, according to an updated Technomic study.

The 2015 Retailer Meal Solutions Consumer Trend Report found 84% of consumers purchase retail meals at least once a month vs. 79% in 2012.

Consumers are also eating less fast food as a result. Almost half of all respondents and 60% of Millennials said they visited fast food restaurants less often because they were buying retail meals.

“Further enhancing the in-store experience and innovating with differentiated, restaurant-quality menu items will help retail-prepared food operators continue to steal share of stomach,” Kelly Weikel, director of consumer insights at Technomic, said in a press release. “Operators and suppliers can appeal to consumers by offering dishes featuring new and ethnic flavors, such as spicy Asian flavors and regional Latin flavors.”