With an estimated value of £780m over the latest 52 weeks and a penetration of 75% of GB homes, chilled ready meals is on the mainstream side, and bigger than the frozen ready meals category.
Furthermore, if one adds meal centres/accompaniments, snacks and uncooked products to ready meals, the total value of this category jumps to £1.9bn Âslightly ahead in terms of value of categories such as biscuits (£1.7bn) or cheese (£1.6bn).
While penetration increase is still happening for chilled ready meals (up 3% year-on-year), it is now the average spend per trip which is driving the category (up 11% year-on-year), in front of frequency of purchase (up 3% year-on-year). This reflects the constant innovation stream in terms of cuisines and varieties which is fuelling the growth in that category.
Indeed, if English and Italian chilled ready meals still represents 60% of the annual spend on the category, it is more exotic recipes such as Oriental (Thai, Chinese) or Indian which have been growing well ahead of the category over the past three years.
Healthy versions have also developed rapidly, with the launch of ranges like Sainsbury Be Good to Yourself, or M&S Count on Us, strategically launched in January/February to benefit from the detox spirit.
The final key development in this category is the rise of multiple retailers. Traditionally, Marks and Spencer used to and still is the number one retailer across this category but is now outstripped in terms of growth by Tesco, Sainsbury and Asda.
Even Somerfield recently advertised on TV about its range of chilled ready meals, proving all retailers are keen to follow consumers' desire for convenience.
Thomas Spony, account director, Fresh Foods Division, TNS Superpanel
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Furthermore, if one adds meal centres/accompaniments, snacks and uncooked products to ready meals, the total value of this category jumps to £1.9bn Âslightly ahead in terms of value of categories such as biscuits (£1.7bn) or cheese (£1.6bn).
While penetration increase is still happening for chilled ready meals (up 3% year-on-year), it is now the average spend per trip which is driving the category (up 11% year-on-year), in front of frequency of purchase (up 3% year-on-year). This reflects the constant innovation stream in terms of cuisines and varieties which is fuelling the growth in that category.
Indeed, if English and Italian chilled ready meals still represents 60% of the annual spend on the category, it is more exotic recipes such as Oriental (Thai, Chinese) or Indian which have been growing well ahead of the category over the past three years.
Healthy versions have also developed rapidly, with the launch of ranges like Sainsbury Be Good to Yourself, or M&S Count on Us, strategically launched in January/February to benefit from the detox spirit.
The final key development in this category is the rise of multiple retailers. Traditionally, Marks and Spencer used to and still is the number one retailer across this category but is now outstripped in terms of growth by Tesco, Sainsbury and Asda.
Even Somerfield recently advertised on TV about its range of chilled ready meals, proving all retailers are keen to follow consumers' desire for convenience.
Thomas Spony, account director, Fresh Foods Division, TNS Superpanel
{{FOCUS ON }}
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