Photo: Wegmans
Back when our adult-age children were still in grammar school, they loved going to the local Wegmans. Every big shopping trip seemed to start with us grabbing pizza slices, sandwiches or some ethnic food dish to take upstairs to the seated dining area where we bonded and watched others shopping in the massive store below. We rarely left Wegmans without buying various heat and eat items for that night’s meal. To this day, our kids think of particular supermarkets as go-to places for their takeout meals.
According to a new NPD Group report, “A Generational Study: The Evolution of Eating,” many Millennials have similar tastes when it comes to prepared meals from supermarkets. As a group, they give grocers higher marks for freshness and quality than their quick service restaurant competitors.
While the report says Millennials purchase prepared foods from grocery stores less frequently than their Boomer parents, the channel is “gaining traction” among the younger demographic.
“Millennials’ interest in the benefits and experience supermarket foodservice offers will continue to be strong over the next several years,” said David Portalatin, vice president, industry analysis at NPD Group, in a statement. “This forecast bodes well for food manufacturers and retailers who have their fingers on the pulse of what drives this generational group. Give the Millennials what they want — fresh, healthier fare and a decent price — and they will come.”