Chicago, IL-
By Delimarket.TV Staff
Technomic, a food industry research organization, has found that retailer meal solutions (RMS) Programs have become integral as critical strategic initiatives for supermarket chains, supercenter stores, as well as convenience stores, dollar stores, and drug stores.
In its study, Retailer Meal Solutions: Capitalizing on the Next Generation, Technomic has found that over the past five years, supermarket prepared foods have grown more than six percent annually. Also, mass merchandisers and supercenters have experienced annual prepared foods growth exceeding 13 percent over the same time period. As the economy improves and consumers return to restaurants, retailers will need to up the ante on RMS offerings in terms of value and convenience.
"Gone are the days of trips to the grocery store designed to address a family's needs for the next one to two weeks," explains Wade Hanson, Technomic Principal and Director of the firm's Retailer Meal Solutions Practice. "Instead, consumers shop more often and use many different types of stores with an eye toward fresh foods and ready-to-eat meals."
"Since the center of stores have changed very little in look and function over the years, retailers must concentrate on the perimeter to set themselves apart with consumers," explained Hanson.
