Grocery Store Meals Surge in Popularity, Reshaping Dining Habits
Supermarket prepared foods are on the rise, driven by consumer demand and investment from major food corporations. This shift is reshaping dining habits and retail foodservice sales.
The growth of grocery store meals is fueled by consumers seeking convenience, affordability, and healthier options. A quarter of shoppers are visiting fast-food or fast-casual restaurants less frequently, with 38% considering deli-prepared foods equal in value to restaurant meals. However, when not in the mood to cook, quick-service restaurants remain the preferred choice, with only 17% opting for grocery store prepared food.
Over the past six years, the share of consumers choosing grocery store deli-prepared meals over restaurants has more than doubled, from 12% in 2017 to 28% in 2023. This trend has contributed to a 1.6% growth in retail foodservice sales, reaching $52.1 billion. The most popular times for purchasing deli-prepared options are between noon and 5 p.m., allowing consumers to pair them with ingredients at home. Fully cooked meat, pizza, and sushi sales have also seen significant growth, at 4.8%, 4.5%, and 3.8% respectively.
The popularity of grocery store prepared foods continues to grow, with consumers valuing their convenience, affordability, and versatility. As major food corporations invest in biotechnology and food technology to create these products, the sector is expected to further expand, reshaping the food industry and consumer dining habits.
