Frozen foods remain a staple item on grocery shopping lists, despite the fact elevated inflation has led many consumers to take a closer look at prices, according to new research from Advantage Solutions.
The “What’s Hot in the Frozen Food Aisle” report found 71% of consumers surveyed plan to buy about the same amount of frozen food products over the next three to six months. Seven percent expect to purchase “much less” and 12% “somewhat less” frozen foods, while 8% aim to buy “somewhat more” and 2% “much more” over that time span.
Similarly, 10% of respondents reported buying more frozen items, yet 31% indicated purchasing fewer frozen items as food pricing rose due to inflation. Of more than 1,000 U.S. grocery shoppers polled, 56% said they have bought about the same amount of frozen foods as they purchased since inflation began impacting prices, according to Advantage Solutions.
Value and convenience are the primary sales drivers for frozen products at the grocery store, Advantage’s study showed. Half of shoppers see frozen foods as a good value or cost-effective. Likewise, 44% think frozen products cost less than their fresh counterparts, and 43% see these items as less wasteful than corresponding fresh offerings.
Pizza was the most popular of all frozen categories, with 62% of those surveyed saying they plan to buy over the next three to six months. That was followed by vegetables (56%), meat/meat substitutes (54%), breakfast foods (52%), ice cream/novelties (52%) and potatoes/fries (51%).
Consumers also plan to buy single-serve dinners/entrees (45%), appetizers/snack rolls (44%), multi-serving dinners/entrees (43%), pasta (38%), seafood (32%) and juices (31%) in the upcoming three to six months.