Press Release Summary = The ready meals market forms part of the UK prepared foods sector. The market has shown growth overall since 2001, rising by 14.4% to reach a value of £1.93bn.
Press Release Body = Ready Meals - Market Report 2006 The ready meals market forms part of the UK prepared foods sector. The market has shown growth overall since 2001, rising by 14.4% to reach a value of £1.93bn.
The market can be divided into chilled and frozen ready meals. Chilled meals have continued to make the largest gains in sales since 2001. The development of the category from the late 1990s has provided a strong base for extensive branding activity on the part of retailers, while manufacturer brands have also begun to extend a presence in the sector.
The frozen ready meals sector has started to stagnate. In part, this is due to problems endemic in the frozen foods sector as a whole. Consumers tend to view products as store-cupboard standbys, rather than the first-choice option. However, major brands, led by Birds Eye, have invested heavily to address these perceptions and bolster the market.
Sales growth in the ready meals market has been aided by a focus on added-value recipes. As with the food market as a whole, the major drivers have been premium products and healthier-eating options. Retailers have centred their premium offer on the chilled fixture, with labels such as Finest from Tesco and Taste the Difference from Sainsbury\'s seeing a wealth of new product development (NPD) to encourage consumers to trade up from standard meals. In healthier eating, as well as reducing fat and sugar levels, suppliers have been looking to add positive aspects such as servings of vegetables and the inclusion of healthier fats.
The frozen meals market has also seen development in added-value and healthy eating, with ranges such as Steamfresh and Pub Specials from Birds Eye.
The strength of retailer own label in this sector has limited spending on promotion and advertising, with much activity centred in-store on packs and through price-based offers.
With UK consumers continuing to look to prepared foods and simple eating solutions, the outlook for the ready meals market remains positive. However, suppliers must address concerns around lengthy ingredients listings and an adverse health image, while, at the same time, encouraging consumers to pay more for better-quality meals.
2025
