Channel shifts affect October meat dollar distribution
A big contributor to more meals being prepared in the home is the lunch occasion, as nearly half the workforce works from home one or more days a week.
The share of meals prepared at home remained elevated in October, at a consumer estimated 78.4% of all occasions, according to the IRI survey of primary grocery shoppers. A big contributor to more meals being prepared in the home is the lunch occasion. While down from the 2020 peaks, 47% of the active workforce, or 26% of the total population, work from home one or more days a week.
In addition to a greater share of lunches having moved to the home, overall restaurant engagement was also down from 82% in earlier IRI surveys. In October, 79% of consumers purchased restaurant food, whether eaten on premise or ordered for takeout or delivery. Restaurant takeout, and especially delivery, continued to skew toward younger consumers. Thinking through their plans for the upcoming month, 24% expect they will eat at restaurants less often versus only 4% who believe they will increase their restaurant trips.