DAWN FARMS TOP 9 | ISSUE 15| 2021

GLOBAL UPDATE ON CONSUMER, MARKET AND MENU INSIGHTS. 

1. FLAVOUR FORECAST

Crisped chilli, seaweed and edible flowers are highlighted in McCormick & Company’s 21st annual Flavour Forecast report. One of the flavour trends they see on the horizon are comforting global flavours such as Indian chaat masala and Malaysian pandan kaya. Plants and coastal ingredients such as cactus, lobster mushrooms and hearts of palm are also pushing boundaries to deliver bright colour and hearty texture. Wellness through mindful eating is another key trend forecasted as intentional eating can achieve balance that comforts the body.  

2. SUBSCRIPTION MODELS ON THE RISE

As consumers were encouraged to stay at home during the pandemic, they increased engagement with subscription services. Food service operators, restaurant chains and meal kit makers have jumped into this space, eager to secure a steady revenue stream and increase customer loyalty. A discount on purchases or reward points toward free food or drink are the top two incentives sought most in a restaurant subscription service. Consumers prefer subscriptions for coffee and lunch/dinner entrees and almost half want to save time, money or both when choosing their subscription services.  

3. SUBWAY REVEALS FRESH MELTS

Subway U.S. has unveiled a new “Ooey Gooey” take on their line of signatures sandwiches with the launch of a new Fresh Melts range. Fresh Melts have triple cheese and are featured in three core sandwiches: the Steak & Cheese, Ham & Cheese and Tuna Melts. Additionally, any 6-inch or Footlong sub can be upgraded to a melt. This follows the recent news that Subway U.K. are now offering Walkers’ Ready Salted crisps as one of its topping options for extra crunch. 

4. AL FRESCO DINING BACK IN ACTION

It’s been over a week since al fresco dining returned in the UK. According to CGA’s Consumer Pulse Survey, almost half of consumers in England have already visited local pubs, bars and restaurants since they reopened. Those that have ventured out have made an average of 2.4 visits each, and almost all said their visit was better than expected. Those who haven’t returned say they are waiting for indoor seating to become available or for safety measures to end completely as they have doubts about crowds and the weather.  

5. LEON RESTAURANTS SNAPPED UP

Owners of the EG Group have snapped up the healthy fast-food chain, Leon, for £100 million a few months after acquiring the Asda supermarket chain. Leon has 42 company-owned restaurants throughout London and other UK cities, as well as 29 franchised sites at main hubs across the Netherlands, Ireland, Norway, Spain and Switzerland. The new owners plan to open more Leon outlets in service stations and around 20 sites a year from 2022, including several drive-thrus.

6. LONG TERM SWITCH TO FROZEN FOODS

Frozen food has continued to outperform the overall grocery market, increasing by 14.4% in value and 11.5% in volume according to the latest Kantar figures, released by the British Frozen Food Federation (BFFF), for the 52-week period ending 21 March. This is a continuation of the success observed in 2020 due to panic buying and a brief shift towards bigger weekly shops. Many consumers have permanently converted to frozen products with their long shelf-life, value for money, and variety of options indicating this trend is likely to stick around. 

7. TACO BELL'S CRAVETARIAN TACO

Taco Bell USA are now testing a plant-based ‘Cravetarian’ ground beef substitute in their tacos that is made from a blend of pea and chickpea protein. It is served just like a classic Taco Supreme, with sour cream, lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese but with 10 fewer calories. The new Cravetarian Taco is currently being trialled at one Taco Bell location in California to see how consumers respond. From a sustainability standpoint, Taco Bell is the first QSR brand to partner with TerraCycle to tackle recycling sauce packets that may contain traces of hot sauce and ketchup after use.  

8. RETAILERS TACKLING FOOD WASTE

Consumers are typically framed as the culprits when it comes to food waste, but supermarkets have a large stake in the issue too. To help resolve this issue, Iper supermarket in Milan and Albert Heijn, the largest supermarket chain in the Netherlands have introduced an electronic price tag system that automatically discounts older food, preventing expired produce from ending up in the bin. As consumers are increasingly making purchases based on brand values, retailers will be expected to play their part in combating food waste.  

9. PROVIDING FOR K-SHAPED RECOVERY

Consumer confidence in the UK reached its highest level in more than a year last month, but experts at IGD warn the country is moving towards a K-shaped recovery. A K-shaped recovery is characterised by a significant split in the recovery pace, with some shoppers growing in prosperity and others being left behind or staying the same. Meeting the demands of both segments of consumers is a challenge and will require a focus on innovative products that blend high quality with value. 

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