Millennials a major force behind retail foodservice growth

Consumers, especially those aged 18-34, are purchasing retailer meal solutions more often, according to an updated Technomic study.

The 2015 Retailer Meal Solutions Consumer Trend Report found 84 percent of consumers purchase retail meals at least once a month, versus 79 percent in 2012.

Consumers are also eating less fast food as a result. Almost half of all respondents and 60 percent of millennials said they visited fast food restaurants less often because they were buying retail meals.

"Further enhancing the in-store experience and innovating with differentiated, restaurant-quality menu items will help retail-prepared food operators continue to steal share of stomach," Kelly Weikel, director of consumer insights at Technomic, said in a press release. "Operators and suppliers can appeal to consumers by offering dishes featuring new and ethnic flavors, such as spicy Asian flavors and regional Latin flavors."

This piece originally appeared on supermarketnews.com, a New Hope 360 sister website. Visit the site for more grocery trends insights.