…and it is ready!

The number of NDPs grew by 4 per cent on average in the past five years

This article is available for reading in Trade magazin 2023/6-7.

There are two macrotrends influencing the category of convenience products, the growing demand for functional foods as part of the very strong health trend, and the expanding selection of snacks which will define the future of the category.

Your lunch is waiting on the shelf

In addition to quick and easy preparation, one of the reasons why convenience foods are so successful is comfortable consumption. This is why people like finger foods, high-fibre powders, concentrates or complex snacks. Lack of time has a bigger influence on the eating habits of people than ever before, so consumers are turning from ready meals to snacks, the selection of which is growing. Data by Innova Market Insights reveal: the number of product launches in the snack category increased by 6% on average in the last five years, while in the ready meal segment this rate was “just” 4%.

Convenient barbecue season’s coming up

Tasty and easy to prepare

Not only the process of preparing food is speeding up, but also eating it. Most people did enjoy snacks in the past too, but it keeps changing what qualifies as a snack. The convenience product of the future is made of healthy ingredients, practically contains no additives or flavour enhancers, and can be found on store shelves in a packaging that is degradable or at least doesn’t put a burden on the environment. It is needless to say that preparation is a matter of minutes. The future is highly processed convenience foods – which are purchased comfortably in convenience stores. For instance the Rewe Group stores following the Smart Store, Smart Kiosk, Smart Box, Rewe Ready concept are selling convenience products, utilising robotic service or AiFi technology.

Smart Store, Smart Kiosk, Smart Box, Rewe ready concept stores of Germany’s Rewe Group offer convenience products, no matter if service is robotised or they apply AiFi-technology. In Hungary, Kende Retail Operation uses the same technology

Halfway to the restaurant kitchen of the future

Convenience products don’t generate debates in the HoReCa sector anymore. They are used because they can help to reduce the need for personnel. Sliced, chopped and quick-frozen foods are easy to work with, they are portioned sensibly, and can be stored easily, therefore their use is easier to plan and generates less waste. Plus they tend to have a longer shelf life too. It is very likely that the role convenience products play in catering is going to be even more important in the future.

Plant-based meat products are convenience products by default

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We concentrate on the less price-sensitive consumers

Péter Illés
sales manager
Nissin Foods

In the past there was great demand for convenience products mainly because of their standard quality, but today it is more important that they can save time, energy and thanks to this also money for HoReCa units suffering from a lack of workforce. Our general experience is that both chefs and consumers are looking for natural products, which look and taste the same as the food processed at home. Customers want convenience products to be healthy, aesthetic, eco-friendly and quick to prepare. //