According to research insight agencies MCA Insight and HIM the UK food to go market is set to be worth £21.2bn in 2019, a growth rate of 3% on 2018.
Growth has slowed on previous years, but FTG continues to outgrow the total eating Out market, which is expected to grow 1.8% in 2019.
The insight, from MCA and HIM’s UK Food To Go Market Report 2019, was conducted through monthly online MCA consumer surveys, data from HIM’s Convenience Tracking Programme, analysis of MCA’s market sizing and company tracking databases.
The results look at the key trends impacting the food to go market, the competitive landscape, the changing needs of consumers, the growth opportunities for operators and retailers and the outlook for future development.
Food to go is described as the most intensively competitive sector within the eating out market, but has benefited from the growing time-pressured workforce and widening accessibility.
“Food To Go is a growing and increasingly influential component within the total eating out market. We predict there is a prize of £2bn to be fought over as the market grows to reach over £23bn by 2022," says MCA director of insight Steve Gotham.
“Winners will be operators and retailers who impress on the core needs of speed, value and quality, but we believe growing opportunities will also be presented through innovating around the emerging trends for more conscious consumerism and ultra-convenience."
"With key younger adult consumers in particular looking to be more responsible their health and the wider environment, and also wanting technology-led time-saving solutions, the next few years promises to be an exciting period as the market adapts and evolves.”
For more information and to find out how you can access the MCA and HIM UK Food To Go Market Report 2019, head here.
