In a fourth report on the current shopper landscape, the Food Industry Association analyzed shoppers’ habits, identifying what forces influence how they eat, what they eat, and how they obtain food. This is the fourth of six installments from the FMI regarding U.S. Shopper Trends in 2022.
“Our relationship with food continues to be complicated due to a host of factors, including a strained economy, a continued pandemic, ongoing supply chain issues, adoptions of new technology, and how we hold ourselves accountable for our food choices and our overall approach to eating,” FMI president and CEO Leslie G. Sarasin said in a recent blog post.
Americans feel constrained by both time and resources; customers are likely looking for fresh prepared and ready-to-prep meal inspirations, as well as solutions to address tightening budgets, notes Sarasin.
The report found that most consumers say they plan their meals in advance, with 74 percent saying it takes under one hour to prepare a meal, and 30 percent stating a preparation period of under 30 minutes, an overall faster rate than in previous years.
Compared to 2021, fewer Americans are putting in a lot of effort to select nutritious and healthy options, down to 28 percent from last year’s 36 percent; however, slightly more continue to put in “some” effort, up to 48 percent from last year’s 46 percent.
With regards to “Future Outlook,” shoppers increased likelihood of meal planning combined with an increased probability of shopping online implies food retailers will need to adjust their both online and in-person experience to more closely fit shopper expectations.
Related: Study: Most Americans Concerned With Rising Food Prices; States Begin to Cut Grocery and Gas Taxes