Food to go is tipped to reach a value of £22.2bn in 2023, following a significant recovery in 2022.
According to Lumina Intelligence’s Food to Go Report 2023, the category withstood a slow recovery in passenger volumes and high street footfall to reach a value of £21.4bn in 2022, 0.9% ahead of its 2019 pre-pandemic value. The growth seen in the category was attributed to high inflation and a recovery in footfall.
“Despite the challenges of the past two years, the food to go market has remained resilient and is poised for continued growth,” said Katherine Prowse, senior insight manager at Lumina Intelligence. “We expect to see continued innovation in products and services, as players look for ways to meet the changing needs and preferences of consumers.”
The report also predicted that the market is set to reach its highest level of outlet growth since the pandemic. It found that players in the sandwich & bakery, convenience store grab & go, and fast-food sectors are capitalising on opportunities for more diverse outlets, including travel hub, FTG-focused, and drive-thru locations.
It estimates that food to go growth will outpace the total eating out market growth, and its share of the total eating out market is forecast to grow by +0.2ppts in 2023, reverting to the pre-pandemic trend of gradual growth, underpinned by consumers’ enduring appetite for food on the go as well as operator product and service innovation.
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