The retailing environment in Ireland and its effect on the chilled ready meal market

Abstract

Food retailing in the island of Ireland has experienced a number of changes with the relatively recent arrival of the UK multiples. This preliminary study examined retailing developments in Ireland focusing on the chilled ready meal sector and on an identification of the factors that influence chilled food choice. Interviews, supermarket analysis, consumer focus groups and questionnaires revealed that the chilled ready meal market was experiencing a period of growth assisted by the arrival of the UK multiples, but there was great potential to further expand the market. Convenience was cited as the primary reason for purchase of chilled ready meals but taste continued to play an important role in chilled food choice. Retailers must respond by informing and educating consumers about their product offerings. In addition, they must listen to the unique needs and wants of consumers on this island to assist in the development and provision of a range of chilled ready meals suitable for the Irish market‐place.

Factors affecting consumer acceptance of chilled ready meals on the island of Ireland

“…This was substantiated by quantitative methods (questionnaire and sensory evaluation) that were subsequently validated with focus groups. An earlier paper detailed the initial qualitative work, including retailer interviews, store analysis and a series of consumer focus groups 16 . This paper focuses on the main consumer questionnaire that was subsequently developed to consider the chilled ready meal sector in both the north and south of Ireland and, more specifically, to explore consumers’ attitudes to, and choice and consumption of, chilled ready meals.…”

An integrated sensory study of selected chilled lasagne ready meals

“…The products selected for this study were determined following a review of consumer trends, an analysis of supermarket product ranges and product availability, questionnaire responses that identified the most and least preferred chilled ready meal choices, and the products purchased most frequently in the Northern Irish market (see Reed et al . 2000, 2001, 2002).…”

The Diffusion of Innovative Practices Among Meat Retailers in Northern Greece

“…The sovereign housewife of old is being increasingly replaced by the stressed working woman who has to rush home, take the kids from school and prepare dinner, usually without the support of the extended family. This individual, has not lost her identity as the mother-figure responsible of the proper nutrition of the family, far from it, but lacks the time and often the skills to engage in lengthy shopping (Reed, Mcllveen, & Strugnell, 2000) and elaborate cooking respectively (Lyon, Colquhoun, & Alexander, 2003).…”