Whether it’s grab & go or increased snacking, more and more consumers are not only eating alone but they are also enjoying their solo time. As household sizes grow smaller, there is less interest in the typical mealtime rituals. In fact, back in 1970, single person households averaged 17% and today that number has grown to 27% (Census Bureau data).
As I shared in my blog post a few months ago called “Snack Happy”, Americans are also becoming serial snackers with portable mini-meals replacing the once indulgent snack of chips or candy bars. There is a growing belief that eating more frequent smaller meals is healthier not to mention the time saving of eating on the go.
According to the Hartman Group, alone eating no longer connotes physical and social isolation. As consumers continue to redefine the concept of “meal,” alone eating has become a normal part of modern life and nearly half of all meals and snacks are now eaten in solitude. In addition, consumers cited the benefits of eating alone as an opportunity to catch up on reading or watch TV etc.
Interestingly enough, more consumers are also dining out alone. A recent analysis by OpenTable reveals that single table reservations have gone up 62 percent in the last two years.
Marketers can take advantage of this evolving trend by creating single-serve meal solutions especially for breakfast, lunch and snacking that are both fresh and healthy.
Written by Heidi McIntyre
Managing Partner
Heidi@FullTiltMarketing.net
