Meeting changing consumer demands, creating new food locations amongst trends in food-to-go market: IGD
Partnership benefits and becoming more ethical and sustainable were also underscored from the latest IGD Live.
Growing health and wellness concerns, doing ethical business, partnership benefits, increased expansion opportunities and new solutions to meet changing consumer demands are the five food-to-go trends to watch out for, according to research charity IGD from their latest IGD Live.
As a response to growing concerns on health and wellness, IGD noted how both food-to-go brands and retailers can learn from Picadeli’s principle of simplicity in launching its digital salad bar concept, whilst providing healthy food to consumers.
Also, as consumers are becoming more aware of issues, it has been in the agenda of food-to-go operators to become more sustainable and ethical.
Opportunities in changing demands, partnership benefits
Lifestyle changes, such as high levels of employment and more variable shift patterns, longer commutes and greater mobility, have driven food-to-go operators to explore new opportunities, according to Bidfood insight and customer marketing head Sarah Whiddett
Amidst the challenges in high street trading, Chozen Noodle founder Matthew Kirby has sought the motorway services as “a big growth area” for his business.
Multinational retailer Marks & Spencer has shared its lesson in operating its first airside airport location where consumers want different things: healthy options, as well as bacon rolls and sweets, are “not as popular” as in other stores, whilst serving alcohol can be an “advantage” and extra seating and charging sockets are a “must.”
To make food-to-go more inviting and accessible, Whiddett has suggested that operators must note of “better price management, promotions, speed of service, innovation and longer opening hours.”
Speakers at the IGD Live have also underscored the shared benefits of partnerships between retailers and food-to-go operators in accessing new locations and meeting consumer needs.
For example, Sushi Gourmet operator Hana Group has shared how their counters gave “a halo effect” to its partner supermarket Sainsburys which then resulted in double-digit like-for-like sales growth.
