Fresh Meat And Plant-Based Meat Alternatives On The Rise, According To New Acosta Research

Acosta's Progressing Protein Palates report shows 18 percent of shoppers are buying more fresh meat versus last year, with natural/organic meat outpacing conventional options

Jacksonville, FL /PRNewswire/ -- Eighty-one percent of Millennials, 74 percent of Gen X, 66 percent of Boomers and 50 percent of Silents said protein content is extremely or very influential when making grocery store purchases, according to Acosta – a leading full-service sales and marketing agency in the consumer packaged goods industry – and the company's 2018 Progressing Protein Palates report. The study also revealed that generations view protein differently, with older generations more concerned with the health benefits of protein, and younger generations caring about exercise recovery and feeling full.

"Our research shows that protein continues to be a mainstay in shopping baskets, but the kind of proteins shoppers are buying is evolving," said Colin Stewart, Senior Vice President, Insights, at Acosta. "Plant-based meat alternative sales are booming and popular with vegetarians and meat-eaters alike. Another trend we're seeing with protein is that shoppers are paying more attention to labels and product claims, but are overwhelmed and confused about what they mean."

Acosta's 2018 Progressing Protein Palates report takes an in-depth look at meat and protein buying behaviors, highlighting:

Fresh Meat Trends

• Eighteen percent of shoppers are buying more fresh meat versus last year, while 12 percent are buying less, mainly due to price and striving to eat healthier – either for themselves or their family.
• Forty-one percent of Millennials are buying more fresh meat versus a year ago, more than all other generations combined.
• Beef and chicken dominate, making up 70 percent of all fresh meat sold.
• Sales of natural/organic meat are outpacing conventional options.

Plant-Based Meat Alternatives and Alternative Diets

• Shoppers are recognizing that consuming meat isn't the only way to pack protein, with plant-based meat alternatives growing 11 percent in units year over year.
• Seventy-one percent of shoppers who purchase plant-based meat alternatives also eat meat.
• Meat-eaters are interested in alternative diets that are either less focused on meats or do not contain meat all-together, especially Millennials. Twenty-six percent of Millennials are already vegetarian/vegan.
• Thirty-four percent of meat-eating Millennials eat four or more vegetarian dinners each week.

Label Confusion and Product Claims

• Shoppers struggle with the wide assortment of product claims, especially with those related to meat products, such as humanely-raised and free-range claims.
• Millennials ranked the highest for label confusion, with 58 percent having some level of confusion. Gen X is the most informed generation of shoppers.
• Of shoppers who feel confused/overwhelmed, 85 percent would like to have more information available to understand claims and labels.
• For Gen X shoppers that feel they are knowledgeable about various product claims, they feel most strongly about no added hormones/antibiotics and all-natural products.

"Millennials are purchasing more fresh meat and plant-based meat alternatives than any other generation, and brands and retailers need to understand they are the key to growth in the protein arena," added Stewart. "Another clear takeaway from this study is that more awareness needs to be built around various product claims and labelling – especially for all-natural and antibiotic/hormone-free meat products."

Acosta's 2018 Progressing Protein Palates report was completed via an online survey of the company's customer shopper community panel as well as multiple Nielsen research reports. To access the full report, visit www.acosta.com/news.

About Acosta
Acosta is the sales and marketing powerhouse behind most of the trusted brands seen in stores every day. The company provides a range of outsourced sales, marketing and retail merchandising services throughout the U.S. and Canada. For 90 years, Acosta has led the industry in helping consumer packaged goods companies move products off shelves and into shoppers' baskets. For more information, please visit www.acosta.com.