SURVEY: BUSY CONSUMERS SEEK CONVENIENCE PRODUCTS

SCHAUMBERG, Ill. -- A recent survey released by ACNielsen here last week revealed that half of all heads of households are too busy to spend much time in meal preparation, with younger and more affluent consumers much more likely to be time-pressed.

se in sales of ready-to-heat and ready-to-eat products, such as shelf-stable or refrigerated entrees and frozen rolls.

Consumers from older age groups found increased time for meal preparation, with only 33% of those age 55 and over saying that they were too busy to spend time preparing meals.

Among respondents with $50,000 or more per year in annual income, 56% said they were too tired to prepare meals at the end of the day, while only 41% of those whose household income was less than $25,000 said they were too tired to prepare meals at the end of the day.

Time-pressed consumers also are seeking products that save time in housekeeping, such as pre-moistened cleaning towels, ACNielsen concluded.

Younger consumers also were more likely to agree that they are "constantly looking for new ways to get the household chores (like shopping, cooking and cleaning) done faster." In the 18 to 34 age group, 74% said they agreed with that statement, vs. 53% in the 55-and-over age group.

ACNielsen identified six fast-growing product categories that cater to consumers' time-pressed schedules:

Shelf-stable entrees, up 66% in dollar sales for the 52 weeks ended Nov. 2, to $207.6 million.

Frozen biscuits/rolls/ muffins, up 56% to $205.3 million.

Pre-moistened cleaning towels, up 54% to $147.4 million.

Breakfast bars, up 26% to $403.5 million.

Refrigerated entrees, up 20% to $1 billion.

Polishing/cleaning cloths, up 16% to $251.2 million.