Convenience foods: older consumers drive Europe's ready meal market

New research by Datamonitor has revealed that older consumers are driving the prepared meal market in Europe, consuming almost E3 million worth of ready meals, or over a quarter of the market. Furthermore, although frozen meals dominate many European ready meal markets, chilled meals are expected to grow in popularity.

Published By Datamonitor

French ready meals: gourmet to go

The French are known for their gourmet cuisine, but Datamonitor's ConsumerGraphics database shows that the country's fastest growing food market is in prepared meals. France has not only caught up with the rest of Europe in terms of ready meal demand, but it is now seeing value growth in this category outstrip that of neighboring countries.

Published By Datamonitor

New food launches Oct-Dec 2006: extracting growth from seasonings

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New food review: chocolate inhaler is not to be sniffed at

This month's roundup of new food launches finds an eclectic selection of products, such as an energizing sports gel, a plant-based pasta package, and a chocolate powder inhaler that is designed to suppress the appetite. These show that the differing needs of consumer groups are being well catered for.

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New food review: eggs continue to break the mold

Taking the hassle out of buying and using eggs is a continuing theme for food producers, as demonstrated by this month's roundup of novel product launches in the food industry. Liquid egg white in a resealable carton and a bright yellow "unbreakable" egg box are the latest innovations, with both products highlighting the importance of customer convenience, and providing differentiation on shelf.

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New food review: manufacturers get more dairy-ing

Manufacturers appear to be experimenting with cheese to increase its appeal among modern consumers, with Productscan noting a number of new cheese based products that differ from regular varieties. These include a cottage cheese containing prebiotic fiber, a pizza with a cheese, not flour, base, and an unusual pizza flavored cheese spread. Saying yes to cheese has therefore just got easier

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Pizza: chilled freezes out frozen in France

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PLA Innovation of the Week: a new chilled ready meal for after-sports recovery

Hoping to capitalize on the importance of the post-exercise period for protein consumption, Fleury Michon's Vraiment Sport ready meal is a new chilled macaroni pasta meal with chicken breast that is packed with protein and is marketed as an "after-sports" product. New in France, it is the innovation of the week from Datamonitor Consumer's Product Launch Analytics.

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Tesco: Make a Meal With proposition brings versatility to ready meals

With its Make a Meal With range of cooked and seasoned meats, Tesco has extended the prepared meal concept beyond simply 'peeling back the film and heating' and created a proposition that obviates the need for time-consuming preparation but still provides an opportunity for consumers to display their cooking skills.

Published By Datamonitor

Time-starved consumers still want to be well-fed

European consumers are taking an increasingly functional attitude to eating as a result of work, family and leisure commitments, and eating-on-the-go offers the flexibility needed for busy lifestyles. However, time-starved consumers want more than just convenience from on-the-go meals. As well as providing convenience, manufacturers must add health functionality to their products.

Published By Datamonitor