Eating Habits: Improving the Appeal of Convenience Options - Spain

Published by: Mintel International Group Ltd.

Published: May. 1, 2007 - 67 Pages

Table of Contents

Issues in the Market

Definition

Consumer research

Abbreviations

Market in Brief

Can the strong growth be sustained?

Demand for both own-labels and premium branded products

Healthier alternatives

Low penetration, but high frequency of use

Chilled convenience closer to fresh produce

Internal Market Environment

Key points

Eating out is done infrequently, although on the increase

Figure 1: Trends in eating out, 2004-06

Low ownership of freezers does not have to limit potential for frozen convenience foods

Figure 2: Ownership of microwave ovens, freezers and combined fridge/freezers, by country, 2006

Figure 3: Trends in ownership of microwave ovens, freezers and combined fridge/freezers in Spain, 2004-06

Figure 4: Ownership of microwave ovens, freezers and combined fridge/freezers, by demographic sub-group, 2006

More time devoted to work and hobbies means less time for cooking

Figure 5: Trends in average hours spent on a working day on professional occupation (main job or other paid activities), 2004-06

Figure 6: Trends in average hours dedicated to daily amusemements, recreation and personal relationships (hobbies and sports, not television), 2004-06

Broader Market Environment

Key points

Greying population poses a challenge

Figure 7: Trends in Spanish population, by age, 2001-11

Growing number of working women creates demand for convenience

Figure 8: Trends in Spanish employment, 2001-05

Favourable economic climate

Figure 9: Trends in Spanish PDI, consumer expenditure and GDP, at current prices, 2001-11

Small households less likely to cook from scratch

Figure 10: Trends in number of Spanish households, by size, 2001-04

Figure 11: Trends in Spanish households, by demographic characteristics, 2001-04

Who’s Innovating?

Key points

Ethnic ready meals tempt Spaniards’ traditional palates

Going natural

Size matters in pizza

Inspiration from the US

Exotic cooking sauces

Tomato sauce is a store-cupboard staple

Soup launches emphasise natural ingredients

Market Size and Forecast - Convenience Foods

Key points

Dynamic growth

Figure 12: Spanish retail value sales of selected convenience foods, 2001-06

Preference for home-cooked, traditional meals

Younger generation adopting convenience habits

Good growth for convenience options

Forecast

Figure 13: Forecast of Spanish retail value sales of selected convenience foods, at current prices, 2006-11

Figure 14: Forecast of Spanish retail value sales of selected convenience foods, at 2006 prices, 2006-11

Factors used in the forecast

The future

Segment Performance

Key points

Ready meals

Continued strong growth backed by greater product sophistication

Figure 15: Spanish retail value sales of ready meals, at current and constant prices, 2001-06

Chilled ready meals benefit from a fresher, more natural image

Figure 16: Spanish retail value sales of ready meals, by type, 2004-06

Average spend higher in chilled than frozen

Pizza

Chilled overtakes frozen

Figure 17: Spanish retail value sales of pizza, at current and constant prices, 2001-06

Figure 18: Spanish retail value sales of pizza, by type, 2004-06

Cooking sauces

Ready-to-heat takes the lion’s share

Figure 19: Spanish retail value sales of cooking sauces, at current and constant prices, 2001-06

Figure 20: Spanish retail value sales of cooking sauces, by type, 2004-06

Soup

Expanding product range supports sales

Figure 21: Spanish retail value sales of soup, at current and constant prices, 2001-06

Figure 22: Spanish retail value sales of soup, by type, 2004-06

Market Share

Key points

Ready meals

Own-labels challenge branded suppliers

Figure 23: Manufacturers’ retail value shares of ready meals, 2004-06

Pizza

Local players compete with key multinationals

Figure 24: Manufacturers’ retail value shares of pizza, 2004-06

Cooking sauces

Own-labels take the largest share

Figure 25: Manufacturers’ retal value shares of cooking sauces, 2004-06

Soup

Spanish company Gallina Blanca takes top spot

Figure 26: Manufacturers’ retail value shares of soup, 2004-06

Companies and Products

Casa Tarradellas

Gallina Blanca

Heinz Ibérica

Nestlé España

Unilever España

Channels to Market

Key points

Contracting trading base favours larger stores and discounters

Figure 27: Number of food retail outlets in Spain, by type, 2000-05

Hypermarkets and supermarkets

Discounters

The Consumer - Pan-European Overview

Key points

Low usage, greater potential

Figure 28: Household use of selected convenience foods, by country, 2006

Fresh is best, good prospects for chilled convenience foods

Figure 29: Household expenditure on selected primary foods, by country, 2006

Once convinced, consumers are product loyal

Figure 30: Household use of selected convenience food products, by frequency, by country, 2006

Figure 31: Level of spend on selected primary foods, by country, 2006

What is in the European shopping basket?

Figure 32: The top three most frequently purchased convenience foods*, by country, 2006

Figure 33: The top three food products, by expenditure*, by country, 2006

The Consumer - Use of Convenience Foods in Spain

Key points

Trends in frequency of using convenience foods - ready meals gain

Figure 34: Trends in penetration and frequency of using selected convenience foods, 2004-06

Figure 35: Growth/decline in consumer base, convenience foods by product, 2004-06

Fresh vs frozen - established shopping habits

Figure 36: Trends in expenditure on selected food products, 2004-06

Figure 37: Growth/decline in consumer base, fresh and frozen foods by product, 2004-06

The Consumer - Attitudes Towards Convenience and Quality

Key points

Takeaway meals liked less in Spain (but almost half of adults eat them)

Figure 38: Attitudes towards cooking and meal occasions, by country, 2006

Less enjoyment of cooking implies readiness to use convenience alternatives

Figure 39: Attitudes towards food quality, by country, 2006

Figure 40: Food attitude index, by country, 2006

Trends in attitudes in Spain are favourable for convenience foods

Figure 41: Trends in attitudes towards cooking and meal occasions, 2004-06

Figure 42: Trends in attitudes towards food quality, 2004-06

Abstract

Sales of convenience foods continue to register dynamic growth in Spain. While it has taken a while for convenience alternatives to gain consumer acceptance, busier lifestyles have made the cultural zeitgeist more favourable towards them. For sustained growth, however, it is crucial that the quality-conscious Spaniards are offered healthier and less processed products, ideally sourced locally. While convenience is an increasingly attractive product proposition, it is not enough to convince Spanish consumers to part with their money.

Get Full Details About This Report >>

About MarketResearch.com
MarketResearch.com is an online aggregator selling over 160,000 market research reports, company profiles and country profiles from over 600 research firms. Our reports will provide you with the critical business and competitive intelligence you need for strategic planning and marketing research. Coverage includes the US, UK, Europe, Asia and global markets.