Cecilia Ruiz, Manager Spain Office, Bord Bia – The Irish Food Board
According to Fitch Solutions, the food service sector in Spain has expanded significantly in recent decades. Independent restaurants still dominate the market, accounting for more than 90% of consumer food service value sales. The OOH food expenditure is €34,540 million, representing 35% of the total expenditure in food and drink, with a per capita OOH expenditure of €1,029.20. Of this, 59% is spent on food and 41% on drink. However we have identified relevant changes in habits that might affect foodservice sales.
Fuller Lives
The traditional Spanish working week lunch is changing. Spaniards are starting to say goodbye to the long mid-day meals of 3 courses followed by a siesta. With the pressures of working in an international business environment, workers are no longer free to spend the so much time eating, nor do they wish to do so. The new generation want flexible working hours with shorter lunch breaks.
The result is that Spaniards are not eating as often at the traditional restaurants during the week. Instead, more and more they visit the deli counters, ready meals shelves and salad buffets now offered by the supermarkets. This is replacing the fall in footfall from the fish and meat traditional counters.
This “meal opportunity” business is being seconded by bakeries, public markets and establishments of homemade food and healthy food to go, displays of prepared salads and smoothies, ham sections and tasting/sample areas. The variety of possibilities continues to grow to the detriment of the traditional “menus of the day” offered by traditional restaurants.
Health & Wellbeing
In a world where Health & Wellbeing are being seen as of higher importance, the younger population focus more on the quality of their food, rather than quantity. Furthermore, less time on long lunches means more time for going to the gym or for a walk.
Responsible Living
Another factor that has become important to the Spanish consumer, is sustainability and waste management. More and more, these consumers are bringing their own Tupperware to supermarkets to contribute in the management of residues, packaging and plastics. Consumers take pride in being part of a more sustainable way of living and they are starting to demand food that is simple, healthy, convenient, and ethical.
Sources:
Mapama: https://www.mapa.gob.es/images/es/20190807_informedeconsumo2018pdf_tcm30-512256.pdf
Q2 2019 www.fitchsolutions.com Spain Food & Drink Report
“La Alimentación en España 2018”, Mercasa