Some 85% of Spanish consumers regularly buy ready-to-eat, drink or cook products, according to new research from industry group AECOC.
Thos figure rises to 93% among Generation Z consumers and 91% among households with children, highlighting the growing role of convenience foods across various consumption occasions.
The findings come from AECOC’s Shopperview bulletin, and were presented as part of the organisation’s ‘Foodvenience’ conference in Madrid, which focused on the trends and concepts shaping Spain’s foodservice market.
According to AECOC, convenience is increasingly integrated into everyday consumption, with products increasingly being selected according to shoppers’ time availability, the occasion and the amount of preparation they want to undertake.
Convenience and customisation
AECOC identified immediacy, practicality and perceived value as key drivers of what it describes as ‘foodvenience’.
Easy-to-consume formats, complete ready-to-eat meals, assisted cooking products and flexible or configurable menus are gaining importance as consumers look for solutions that simplify food preparation while providing clear value.
At the same time, 58% of consumers said they like to add a ‘finishing touch’ to what they cook, suggesting an opportunity for more customisable convenience products, particularly among younger consumers.
“Convenience food is no longer understood as a one-off option, but as a regular response to different daily needs,” commented Mariona Gaspà, foodservice knowledge analyst at AECOC.
Making everyday tasks easier
NIQ data presented at the conference showed that 36% of consumers are willing to pay more for products or solutions that make everyday tasks easier, while 26% would pay a premium for deliveries taking less than 30 minutes.
Online grocery is also expanding in Spain. According to NIQ, the online channel currently accounts for 7.4% of mass-consumption sales by value in Spain and is growing by 16.3%.
Speaking at the event, Ricardo Alcón, account development manager at NIQ, said proximity is increasingly being defined not only by physical distance but also by digital access.
The shift is also contributing to smaller and more frequent shopping baskets, with consumers increasingly purchasing according to specific needs rather than simply buying based on product availability.
The AECOC conference brought together representatives from companies including Glovo, Carrefour, Viena Capellanes, Vips, Moeve, Ametller Origen, Wetaca and Krispy Kreme to discuss the development of convenience and its implications for the food and retail sectors. Read more here.
