INCREASING numbers of shoppers are kicking the habit of the big weekly shop and pre-prepared shopping lists could also be in decline according to a new report from The Co-operative.
In the second of a series of analyses of convenience retailing (this one called Mission Impulsive) the giant mutually owned retailer group highlights how many shoppers decide what to eat on the day rather than plan menus and food shopping ahead.
Almost one in six shoppers surveyed said they never use a shopping list and some 60% only note down their key intended food and drink purchases.
It also says there has been a noticeable shift away from Friday and Saturday shopping towards midweek top-ups.
Young people are said to be leading the market’s move to convenience shopping. And spontaneous cooking is growing to the point that we could be said to be entering “a semi-homemade era”.
The report says convenience retailing sales in the UK are now worth £37.7bn and are projected to grow by 17% to be worth £44bn in 2020 or roughly 22% of food and drink retail sales.
Product developments, including smaller cuts of meat and the introduction of convenient meal solutions are responding to the new demand, the group says.
The Co-operative’s chief executive, retail, Steve Murrells, said: “The ideal of planning and eating three square meals a day are a thing of the past.
“Today many people who live very busy lives decide what to eat just a few hours in advance and will visit their local store looking for inspiration and easy-to-prepare food.”
