Snacking: Going Places: Grab-and-Go Products Evolve

Why it is the topic trending:

• Growing Consumer Demand for On-the-Go Meals: An increasing number of consumers are seeking convenient, delicious, and nutritious food options when they are away from home.

• Evolution Beyond Traditional Takeout: The nature of takeout meals has shifted from items like take-and-bake pizza to a wider variety of grab-and-go options such as salads and ready-made meals.

• Significant Market Growth: The grab-and-go market is experiencing substantial growth, with deli-prepared meals reaching $18.6 billion in sales last year and grab-and-go bakery products seeing a 50% sales increase over the past five years.

• Influence of Changing Work Habits: As people return to offices for a few days a week, the demand for more indulgent and high-quality lunch options compared to traditional sandwiches has risen.

• Focus on Health and Dietary Needs: There's a growing emphasis on grab-and-go options that cater to health trends like high protein, gut health, portion control, and dietary needs such as those of individuals using GLP-1 medication.

Overview: The grab-and-go food sector is undergoing a significant evolution to meet the changing demands of consumers who require convenient, nutritious, and appealing meals and snacks while on the move. Fuelled by busy lifestyles, evolving work patterns, and a growing focus on health and wellness, the market has expanded beyond traditional takeout to include a diverse range of options, from restaurant-quality prepared meals in grocery stores to innovative grab-and-go items with global flavors and specific nutritional benefits. This trend reflects a broader shift in how consumers approach dining, seeking quality and variety even when time is limited.

Detailed Findings:

• Increased Spending on Deli-Prepared Meals: Consumers spent $18.6 billion on deli-prepared meals last year, highlighting the popularity of this category.

• Shift in Takeout Consumption: Takeout habits have evolved from take-and-bake pizzas to include grab-and-go salads and other convenient options.

• Significant Growth in Grab-and-Go Bakery: Sales of grab-and-go bakery products have increased by 50% over the past five years, indicating a strong consumer appetite for these items.

• Introduction of Innovative Formats: Restaurants like London's Tootoomoo are launching creative grab-and-go options like sushi tacos, rolls, and noodle bowls with Asian-inspired flavors.

• Demand for High-Protein and Healthy Options: Younger consumers are particularly interested in grab-and-go meals that are high in protein, healthy, and offer exciting flavors.

• Elevated Lunch Expectations: With a return to office work a few days a week, consumers are seeking more indulgent and high-quality lunch options compared to standard sandwiches.

• Focus on Health and Dietary Needs in Frozen Foods: Conagra's report predicts that gut health, portion control, and specific dietary needs will drive the frozen food industry, including mini portions and spicy options popular with Gen Z.

• Development of Products for Specific Needs: New grab-and-go products are emerging to accommodate the needs of individuals using GLP-1 medication.

• Grocery Stores Offering Restaurant-Quality Meals: Grocers like Cingari Family Market are producing high-quality, restaurant-style dishes in central commissaries, expanding their grab-and-go offerings.

• Emphasis on Freshness and Consistency: Executive chefs in grocery settings emphasize the importance of freshness and consistent restaurant-quality in their prepared meals.

• Consumers Want to Dine Their Way: Consumers seek the restaurant experience on their own terms, sometimes opting for high-quality ready-to-eat or ready-to-cook meals from grocery stores instead of dining out.

• Grocery Stores Broadening Specialty Food Selections: Grocers are expanding their specialty food options to cater to consumers looking for more than the usual choices in the grab-and-go section.

• Crossover Between Grocery and Foodservice: Consumers are making more intentional decisions about where and when they eat out versus what they bring home, blurring the lines between grocery and foodservice.

Key success factors of product (trend):

• Convenience and Portability: Products must be easy to grab, carry, and consume on the go without requiring extensive preparation.

• Flavor and Quality: Consumers demand delicious and high-quality options that meet or exceed the taste expectations of restaurant meals.

• Health and Nutrition: Increasingly, grab-and-go foods need to offer nutritional benefits and cater to health-conscious consumers and specific dietary needs.

• Variety and Innovation: A diverse range of options with exciting and global flavors helps to keep consumers engaged and satisfied.

• Adaptability to Different Eating Occasions: Offerings should suit various meal times and snacking needs throughout the day.

Key Takeaway: The evolution of grab-and-go products is driven by consumers' increasing demand for convenient, high-quality, and nutritious food options that fit their on-the-go lifestyles, leading to innovation in formats, flavors, and a blurring of lines between grocery and foodservice.

Main Trend: The Evolution of Grab-and-Go Convenience.

Description: On-Demand Dining: The Transformation of Ready-to-Eat Foods describes the significant changes occurring in the grab-and-go food sector, where convenience is no longer the sole driver. Consumers now seek a combination of speed, quality, health, and diverse culinary experiences in their ready-to-eat meals and snacks. This trend encompasses innovations in product formats, flavor profiles, and retail strategies as grocery stores and restaurants alike adapt to meet the evolving needs of busy, health-conscious individuals who want restaurant-quality options without the sit-down experience.

What is consumer motivation:

• Time Scarcity and Busy Lifestyles: Consumers with packed schedules need quick and efficient meal solutions.

• Desire for High-Quality and Flavorful Meals: They are not willing to compromise on taste, even when choosing convenience.

• Growing Awareness of Health and Nutrition: Many are looking for grab-and-go options that align with their health and wellness goals, including high protein, good nutrition, and options for specific dietary needs.

• Seeking Variety and New Culinary Experiences: Consumers want more than just basic options; they are interested in trying different flavors and formats, including those inspired by global cuisines.

• Preference for Restaurant-Quality at Home or On-the-Go: They want the taste and quality they would expect from a restaurant, but with the flexibility of consuming it when and where they choose.

What is driving trend:

• Changing Work Patterns: The shift towards hybrid work models has altered lunchtime habits, creating demand for higher-quality grab-and-go lunches for office days.

• Increased Focus on Health and Wellness: Consumer interest in healthy eating and specific dietary needs is driving demand for related grab-and-go products.

• Innovation in Food Production and Packaging: Advances in food technology and packaging are enabling the creation of fresher, more flavorful, and convenient ready-to-eat options.

• Grocery Stores Expanding Their Foodservice Offerings: Supermarkets are increasingly competing with restaurants by offering high-quality prepared meals.

• Consumer Demand for Convenience and Efficiency: In today's fast-paced world, consumers are constantly seeking ways to save time and simplify their daily routines, including meal times.

What is motivation beyond the trend:

• Avoiding Cooking or Meal Preparation: For some, grab-and-go offers a break from the effort of cooking meals from scratch.

• Seeking Portion Control: Pre-packaged grab-and-go options can help individuals manage their portion sizes.

• Trialing New Flavors and Cuisines: Ready-to-eat meals provide an accessible way to try different types of food without the commitment of buying all the ingredients to cook them at home.

• Finding Solutions for Specific Dietary Needs: Individuals with allergies, intolerances, or specific dietary plans rely on convenient options that cater to their requirements.

• Reducing Food Waste: Purchasing ready-to-eat meals can help individuals avoid food waste associated with buying larger quantities of ingredients that might not be fully used.

Description of consumers article is referring to:

• Who are the consumers article refers to from article: The article refers to a broad range of consumers, including those seeking quick meals at grocery stores, younger consumers looking for high-protein and healthy options, individuals returning to office work, and those with specific dietary needs like individuals using GLP-1 medication.

• Who are them: They are individuals with busy lifestyles who need convenient food solutions. They are also increasingly health-conscious and seek quality and variety in their on-the-go meals.

• What kind of products they like: They prefer delicious, nutritious, and high-quality ready-to-eat options. They are interested in a variety of formats, flavors (including global inspirations), and products that cater to specific dietary needs.

• What is their age?: The demographic includes a wide age range, with specific mentions of younger consumers and Gen Z.

• What is their gender?: The article does not specify gender preferences, suggesting broad appeal across genders.

• What is their income?: While not explicitly stated, the focus on restaurant-quality meals and specialty foods suggests that these consumers may have a disposable income that allows them to prioritize quality and convenience.

• What is their lifestyle: They lead busy, often time-constrained lives and value efficiency. Many may be working professionals, students, or individuals with active social lives.

• What are their category article is referring shopping preferences: They shop for grab-and-go items in grocery stores (delis, bakeries, prepared meals sections), and potentially from restaurants offering takeout or ready-to-eat options. They likely appreciate clear labeling of ingredients and nutritional information.

• are they low, occasional or frequent category shoppers: Given the growth in the market and the emphasis on convenience for busy individuals, many of these consumers are likely occasional to frequent shoppers of grab-and-go food.

• What are their general shopping preferences-how they shop products, shopping motivations): They prioritize convenience, quality, and variety. They may be influenced by trends around health and wellness, and they seek out options that fit their specific dietary needs and taste preferences. They are likely motivated by saving time and obtaining restaurant-quality meals without the full dining experience.

Conclusions: The grab-and-go food market is experiencing a dynamic evolution, driven by consumers who demand more than just basic convenience. They seek high-quality, nutritious, and flavorful options that cater to their busy lifestyles and evolving preferences. This trend presents significant opportunities for grocery stores and restaurants to innovate and expand their offerings to meet this growing demand for on-the-go dining solutions.

Implications for brands:

• Focus on Quality and Freshness: Prioritize the use of high-quality ingredients and ensure freshness in grab-and-go offerings to meet consumer expectations for restaurant-quality.

• Innovate with Flavors and Formats: Develop a diverse range of options with exciting and globally inspired flavors, exploring new formats beyond traditional sandwiches and salads.

• Cater to Health and Dietary Needs: Offer grab-and-go products that are high in protein, nutritious, and accommodate specific dietary requirements and health trends.

• Enhance Convenience and Packaging: Ensure that packaging is user-friendly, portable, and helps to maintain the quality and freshness of the food.

• Highlight Restaurant-Quality and Value: Communicate the quality and value proposition of grab-and-go meals compared to both fast food and full-service restaurant dining.

Implication for society:

• Greater Access to Convenient and Potentially Healthier Meal Options: The evolution of grab-and-go could provide more consumers with access to convenient meals that are also nutritious.

• Shift in Meal Preparation Habits: Society may continue to see a decline in home cooking as more convenient and high-quality ready-to-eat options become available.

• Increased Competition Between Grocery and Foodservice: The blurring lines between grocery stores and restaurants will likely intensify competition in the prepared meals sector.

• Potential for Reduced Food Waste: High-quality, ready-to-eat options may help some consumers avoid food waste associated with unused ingredients.

Implications for consumers:

• Wider Variety of High-Quality Options: Consumers will have access to a more diverse and appealing selection of grab-and-go meals and snacks.

• Increased Convenience for Busy Lifestyles: It will become easier for individuals with limited time to find convenient and satisfying food solutions.

• Opportunities to Explore New Flavors and Cuisines: Ready-to-eat options can provide an accessible way to try different types of food.

• Potential for Higher Costs: High-quality and specialty grab-and-go items may come with a higher price tag compared to less premium options.

Implication for Future:

• Continued Growth and Innovation in Grab-and-Go: The market is expected to continue expanding with further innovation in products and retail strategies.

• Integration of Technology for Ordering and Pickup: We may see greater use of technology for pre-ordering and contactless pickup of grab-and-go meals.

• Personalization of Ready-to-Eat Meals: Future trends could include more personalized grab-and-go options catering to individual dietary preferences and needs.

• Emphasis on Sustainability in Packaging and Production: Consumers may increasingly demand grab-and-go products that are produced and packaged sustainably.

Consumer Trend: Elevated On-the-Go Dining: Consumers are demanding grab-and-go food options that offer high quality, diverse flavors, and nutritional benefits, reflecting a shift from basic convenience to a more gourmet and health-conscious approach.

Consumer Sub Trend: Restaurant-Quality Grab-and-Go: Consumers are increasingly seeking ready-to-eat meals from grocery stores and other outlets that meet the taste and quality standards of restaurant cuisine.

Big Social Trend: The Blurring of Retail and Foodservice: The traditional boundaries between grocery stores and restaurants are dissolving as both sectors offer a wider range of prepared and ready-to-eat food options.

Worldwide Social Trend: Global Demand for Convenient and Quality Food Solutions: Across the world, busy lifestyles and evolving consumer preferences are driving a growing demand for convenient, high-quality food options that fit on-the-go consumption.

Social Drive: Seeking Time-Saving and Indulgent Experiences Simultaneously: Consumers are motivated by the need to save time on meal preparation without sacrificing the pleasure of enjoying a delicious and satisfying meal.

Learnings for brands to use in 2025:

• Prioritize Flavor and Quality Above All: Ensure that grab-and-go offerings deliver exceptional taste and use high-quality ingredients to meet elevated consumer expectations.

• Embrace Culinary Innovation and Variety: Continuously explore new flavors, cuisines, and formats to keep the grab-and-go selection fresh and exciting.

• Integrate Health and Wellness Attributes: Clearly communicate the nutritional benefits and cater to specific dietary needs within the product range.

• Optimize Packaging for Convenience and Appeal: Invest in packaging that is functional, maintains freshness, and enhances the visual appeal of the product.

• Leverage the Crossover Between Grocery and Foodservice: Understand that consumers are comparing grab-and-go options to restaurant meals and adjust product offerings accordingly.

Strategy Recommendations for brands to follow in 2025:

• Conduct Thorough Market Research on Evolving Consumer Preferences: Understand the specific demands and flavor preferences of the target consumer for grab-and-go meals.

• Invest in Culinary Expertise: Employ skilled chefs and food developers to create innovative and high-quality ready-to-eat recipes.

• Establish Centralized Commissaries for Consistent Quality: Consider developing central kitchens to ensure consistent quality and efficient production of prepared meals.

• Partner with Local Farms and Suppliers for Fresh Ingredients: Emphasize the use of fresh, locally sourced ingredients to enhance quality and appeal.

• Implement Effective Marketing and Merchandising Strategies: Clearly communicate the quality, convenience, and health benefits of grab-and-go offerings through attractive packaging and in-store placement.

Final sentence (key concept) describing main trend from article (which is a summary of all trends specified), and what brands & companies should do in 2025 to benefit from trend and how to do it.

The core trend is the Transformation of Grab-and-Go into Gourmet Convenience, and in 2025, brands and companies should capitalize on this by focusing on delivering restaurant-quality, flavorful, and nutritious ready-to-eat options that cater to busy and health-conscious consumers seeking premium convenience, achieved through culinary innovation, emphasis on fresh ingredients, and strategic alignment between grocery and foodservice models.

Final Note:

• Core Trend: Elevated On-the-Go Dining: Consumers are seeking high-quality and diverse options for grab-and-go meals.

• Core Strategy: Focus on Quality, Flavor, and Health: Brands should prioritize these attributes in their ready-to-eat offerings.

• Core Industry Trend: Grocery-Foodservice Convergence: The lines between grocery stores and restaurants are blurring in the prepared meals sector.

• Core Consumer Motivation: Seeking Convenient, High-Quality, and Nutritious Meals On-the-Go: Consumers want time-saving solutions without compromising on taste or health. Final Conclusion

Core Trend Detailed: The core trend highlights a significant shift in consumer expectations for grab-and-go food. No longer satisfied with basic convenience, consumers are now demanding ready-to-eat options that offer the same level of quality, flavor complexity, and nutritional value as restaurant meals or home-cooked dishes. This evolution is driven by busier lifestyles, increased awareness of health and wellness, and a desire for more diverse and exciting culinary experiences, even when time is limited. The trend signifies a maturation of the grab-and-go market, moving beyond simple expediency to encompass a broader range of consumer needs and preferences.

Key Characteristics of the Core trend:

• Emphasis on High-Quality Ingredients: Consumers expect fresh, premium ingredients in their grab-and-go meals.

• Demand for Diverse and Global Flavors: There is a growing interest in ready-to-eat options that feature international cuisines and innovative flavor combinations.

• Focus on Nutritional Value: Consumers are increasingly seeking out grab-and-go items that are healthy, high in protein, and cater to specific dietary needs.

• Restaurant-Quality Expectations: Consumers compare the taste and quality of grab-and-go meals to those found in restaurants.

• Importance of Convenient and Appealing Packaging: Packaging needs to be functional for on-the-go consumption while also looking attractive and conveying quality.

Market and Cultural Signals Supporting the Trend:

• Significant Growth in Deli-Prepared and Grab-and-Go Bakery Sales: The strong sales figures indicate high consumer demand.

• Grocery Stores Expanding Prepared Meals Sections: Supermarkets are investing in their foodservice offerings, signaling the importance of this category.

• Restaurants Offering More Sophisticated Takeout Options: Fine-dining and casual restaurants are adapting to offer higher-quality grab-and-go choices.

• Increased Consumer Awareness of Health and Wellness: This awareness is driving demand for healthier and more nutritious convenient options.

• Busy Lifestyles and Time Constraints: Modern life often leaves little time for extensive meal preparation, making convenient, high-quality grab-and-go appealing.

How the Trend Is Changing Consumer Behavior:

• More Frequent Purchases of Prepared Meals: Consumers are relying more on grab-and-go options for regular meals, not just occasional convenience.

• Higher Expectations for Taste and Quality: They are less willing to settle for basic or bland ready-to-eat foods.

• Seeking Out Options That Meet Specific Dietary Needs: Consumers with allergies, intolerances, or health goals are actively looking for suitable grab-and-go choices.

• Comparing Prices to Restaurant Meals: They are evaluating the cost of grab-and-go options against the price of dining out.

• Influenced by Trends in Food and Culinary Innovation: Consumers are looking for grab-and-go meals that reflect current food trends and offer new culinary experiences.

Implications Across the Ecosystem:

• For Brands and CPGs: Opportunity to innovate with new product lines that offer premium quality and diverse flavors in convenient formats. Need to focus on fresh and healthy ingredients.

• For Retailers: Essential to expand and enhance prepared foods sections, offering a wide variety of high-quality options. Consider partnerships with local restaurants or chefs.

• For Consumers: Greater access to convenient and potentially healthier meal solutions. More choices in terms of flavors and cuisines. Potential for higher food costs for premium options.

Strategic Forecast:

• The trend of elevated on-the-go dining will continue to strengthen in 2025 and beyond.

• We will see further innovation in packaging and food preservation techniques to ensure freshness and quality.

• Personalization of grab-and-go meals based on dietary needs and preferences may become more prevalent.

• Sustainability in packaging and sourcing will be an increasingly important factor for consumers.

• The integration of technology for ordering, pickup, and even personalized recommendations will continue to evolve.

Final Thought (summary):

The evolving landscape of grab-and-go food reflects a significant consumer desire for convenience without sacrificing quality, flavor, or nutritional value, compelling brands and retailers to innovate and elevate their offerings to meet the demands of a more discerning and health-conscious on-the-go consumer.

Source: https://foodinstitute.com/focus/going-places-grab-and-go-products-evolve/