When you hear about new trends in the food and CPG space — plant-based, sustainable, snackable, etc. — they’re usually credited to younger generations: specifically millennials and Gen Z. But what exactly are younger eaters looking for, both in and out of the kitchen? And what will they demand next?
That’s exactly what Michael Wolf asked two analysts, Susan Schwallie and Joe Derochowski, from the market research firm the NPD Group at SKS 2019 last week. Schwallie looks into where, why, and how consumers are preparing food and eating at restaurants, and Derochowski focuses on kitchen space — and its appliances.
If you’re at all curious about how younger generations are reshaping dining habits, it’s worth watching the whole video below. But here’s a quick rundown on what millennials and Gen Z are looking for:
Schwallie said that millennials prioritize experiential eating — they want to cook or eat something Instagrammable that will give them what she called ‘The Betty Crocker effect.” Gen Z has some similarities, but above all they prioritize “access, portability, and fluidity.” In short, they want to get exactly the food they want, where and when they want it — be it getting a Domino’s pizza delivered to their park bench or having groceries sent to their doorstep to make a recipe they discovered just an hour before.
Generations may have different dining habits, but Derochowski pointed there are some unifying factors that all groups share — like prioritizing health and wellness and the desire to entertain more at home. These “consistencies between generations,” as he put it, are exactly what kitchen appliance makers are trying to target with convenience products like slow cookers.
Watch the full video below to hear what younger generations are eating, and how companies are hustling to figure out how to capitalize off of changing dining habits. Then keep an eye out for more content from SKS 2019 coming your way!
