‘Hand-Held Foods’ Study Released

August 8, 2000

MarketResearch.com, a business intelligence marketplace serving the Fortune 1000, has released a new study that examines retail sales of "hand-held foods" that are expected to expand an average of 7% a year from 2000-04. The study is titled, "The U.S. Market For Frozen And Refrigerated Hand-Held Foods," by Kalorama Information. According to the study, retail sales of hand-held foods for 1999 topped $1.6 billion with sales projected to total $2.3 billion in 2004.

Hand-held foods have become the No. 1 growth segment in the U.S. frozen and refrigerated food market, and are broken down into two categories, entrees and appetizers/snack rolls, according to the company. In 1999, retail sales for entrees were $1.1 billion compared to $533 million for appetizers/snack rolls. Frozen hand-held entrees captured the lead, accounting for 60% of retail sales in 1999 vs. refrigerated entrees at 7%. Frozen appetizers/snack rolls accounted for 32% of dollar sales, up six percentage points from 1995, vs. refrigerated appetizers/snack rolls holding steady at 1%.

The study also notes that attention is being paid to consumers’ ever-changing needs. Price points ranging from under $1 to $10 make hand-held foods an attractive option. "Continual changes in eating patterns will create a demand for user-friendly quick meals and snacks, which will drive the hand-held foods market," said Claire Madden, vice president of marketing.

Organics continue to be the fastest-growing food segment, with sales gains over 50% from 1997 to 1998. Vegetarian offerings across the category are appealing to non-vegetarian consumers who are health conscious. Competition is becoming fierce and innovative ideas for new products and creative marketing strategies are essential for marketers in this arena.

For more information call MarketResearch.com at 800-298-5699.