Chicago, Aug. 27, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Circana, a leading advisor on the complexity of consumer behavior, recently released a new report that provides a comprehensive overview of food and beverage consumption trends both at home and away from home.
The 39th annual Eating Patterns in America report highlights a growing trend toward eating at home over the past year, with 86% of meals eaten at home.
While retail sales are showing modest growth, foodservice traffic remains under pressure. However, significant opportunities remain in both sectors, with American consumers spending nearly $1.7 trillion annually on food and beverages. The report provides strategic insights for manufacturers, retailers, foodservice operators and distributors looking to better engage their target customers.
“Despite easing inflation, consumers continue to face the cumulative impact of several years of rising prices and ongoing economic challenges,” said David Portalatin, senior vice president and industry advisor for food and foodservice at Circana.
“With eating out four times more expensive than eating at home, many are eating out less. Eating habits have changed as consumers spend more time at home and adapt to new daily routines. However, convenience and health remain top priorities. Consumers are willing to spend money on products with added value, especially in the beverage space, where innovations are emerging to meet these needs.”
The report highlights several key findings, including:
- Eating at home: Even post-pandemic, consuming food and beverages at home remains a cornerstone of daily life. Regardless of where meals come from, consumers ate 116 more meals at home last year than they did before the pandemic. As consumers seek the optimal balance of value and convenience, a low price is not the only driver of a compelling value proposition. New mobility patterns, inflationary pressures and evolving attitudes toward wellbeing provide opportunities to develop retail solutions that help consumers source meals, snacks and beverages for both at home and on the go. While gains in out-of-home consumption have stagnated, fast-casual restaurants are gaining market share. Despite a challenging macroeconomic environment, some foodservice operators have shown resilience and achieved growth. A focus on efficiency, innovation in menu offerings and value creation will be key to continued growth.
- Disruption of daytimes: While breakfast, lunch and dinner remain the main meals, their composition, timing and sources are changing to suit consumers’ daily routines. Breakfast now starts earlier and mid-morning snacking out of the home is becoming more popular. Lunch has shifted significantly due to changes in workplace mobility, with lunchtime traffic falling to about half of pre-pandemic levels. Snack consumption is increasing and consumers are increasingly preferring quick bites or meal replacements over larger meals. As snacking becomes more common throughout the day, the lines between traditional meals are becoming increasingly blurred.
- Beverage Innovation: Over the past year, beverage consumption has increased significantly, particularly in coffee, carbonated soft drinks and functional beverages. This increase in consumption is due to innovations by manufacturers that address evolving consumer needs. Today’s beverages meet several functional needs, including hydration, energy and nutrition. Coffee remains a daily staple for many, providing both comfort and an energy boost. Carbonated soft drinks remain popular for their refreshing properties, while functional beverages are growing in popularity due to their added benefits, such as vitamins, electrolytes and other health-promoting ingredients. This trend reflects a broader movement toward beverages that are both enjoyable and functional parts of everyday life, adapting to changing lifestyles and preferences.
For more information or to purchase the full report, contact your Circana representative or click here.
About Circana
Circana is a leading advisor on the complexity of consumer behavior. Through superior technology, advanced analytics, cross-industry data and deep domain expertise, we provide clarity that helps nearly 7,000 of the world’s leading brands and retailers take action and enable business growth. We better understand the whole consumer, the whole business and the whole wallet, so our clients can go beyond the data to apply insights, drive innovation, meet consumer demand and stay ahead of the competition. For more information, visit circana.com.
Contact details
Shelley Hughes
Circana
+1 312-731-1782
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