Ready Meals Market Report Plus 2011

This Key Note Market Report Plus analyses the chilled and frozen UK ready meals market. 2010 was a strong year for the ready meals market, after a decline of 0.7% was seen in 2008 and a growth of just 1.8% in 2009. The combined ready meals market was worth £1.74bn in 2010, up 5.5% on 2009.

After suffering 3.6% decline in value during 2008, the chilled ready meals sector has been the main driver of growth for the overall market in recent years. Major retailers have invested heavily in new product developments (NPDs) and promoting their premium ready meals. ‘Dine in for...’ deals have also resulted in supermarkets boosting profits by attracting consumers reluctant to spend money in restaurants. These types of promotions have thus helped maintain sales of premium ready meal products.

In comparison, the frozen ready meals sector declined following the recession, after experiencing strong growth in 2008, when the sector grew by 4.1%. The inherent lower price of frozen ready meals also helped during the recession, but the growth observed in 2008 was all but wiped out in 2010, when value dropped by 3.9%. Lack of product development has, however, had a negative impact on the frozen sector in recent years, while its unhealthy image has not helped matters either.

The ready meals market faces significant pressure from the healthy eating lobby and manufacturers have had to reduce the fat and salt levels of their products, while also maintaining flavour and reducing costs. This places increased pressure on manufacturers. Major retailers often account for a significant proportion of a manufacturer’s business and, as a result, the loss of a supply contract can cause serious problems. Other third-party industries, such as haulage companies, are also under pressure as they are required to carry extra loads at short notice due to increased demand for ready meal promotions.

Key Note has forecast that the ready meal market will grow by 20.8% between 2011 and 2015. The majority of this growth will be driven by the chilled ready meals sector, as the frozen ready meals sector continues to struggle. However, 2011 will be a tough year for the sector, with economic growth likely to remain stagnant. Consumers have become accustomed to buying ready meals on offer and, although this has maintained value during the recession, it cannot persist. As the economy continues to recover gradually, the volume of ready meals sold on offer will need to be reduced in order for the market to remain profitable. However, with continued product development and increased sophistication, the ready meals market is on course for a strong future. SHOW LESS READ MORE >

Executive Summary
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
The table of contents below is for
Ready Meals 2011
Foreword
Hot Points
Executive Summary
Market Definition
REPORT COVERAGE
MARKET SECTORS
MARKET TRENDS
Dine in Deals
Sophistication of Chilled Ready Meals
Improved Health Standards
Brands Versus Own Label
ECONOMIC TRENDS
Population
Gross Domestic Product
Inflation
Unemployment
Household Disposable Income
MARKET POSITION
The UK
Overseas
Market Size
[(c)THE TOTAL MARKET
Brand Versus Own-label
BY MARKET SECTOR
[(c)Chilled Ready Meals
Frozen Ready Meals
Industry Background
RECENT HISTORY
NUMBER OF COMPANIES
EMPLOYMENT
REGIONAL VARIATIONS IN THE MARKETPLACE
DISTRIBUTION
HOW ROBUST IS THE MARKET?
LEGISLATION
The Food Standards Act
KEY TRADE ASSOCIATIONS
British Frozen Food Federation
Chilled Food Association
Food and Drink Federation
Food Storage and Distribution Federation
Competitor Analysis
THE MARKETPLACE
MARKET LEADERS
Bakkavör Foods Ltd
Birds Eye Ltd
Findus Group Ltd
Greencore Group PLC
HJ Heinz Company Ltd
Kerry Foods Ltd
Northern Foods Ltd
Premier Foods Group Ltd
Other Companies
OUTSIDE SUPPLIERS
Distributors
Ingredients
Packaging
MARKETING ACTIVITY
Main Media Advertising Expenditure
Exhibitions and Trade Shows
Brand Strategy
RESEARCH FINDINGS
COMPANIES' BRANDS
Supermarkets
Brands
BRAND ADVERTISING
Charlie Bigham's
WeightWatchers from Heinz
Kerry Foods
Quorn
Social Media
Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats
STRENGTHS
WEAKNESSES
OPPORTUNITIES
THREATS
Buying Behaviour
CONSUMER PENETRATION
By Type
Frozen and Chilled Ready Meals
By Frequency of Consumption
Current Issues
TECHNOLOGY
Electrostatics
In-Pack Pasteurisation
HEALTH ISSUES
Saturated Fat Levels Reduced
Convenience Foods in-a-Day Recommendation
CONSUMER DEMAND
Increasing Foodservice Demand for Ready Meals
Foodservice Provider Demands% Price Reductions
Low Saturated Fats Not a Big Selling Point
Dining In Still Popular
BOGOF Deals Increase Pressure on Distributors
CORPORATE ACTIVITY
Production Stops at Longbenton
Headland Foods Factory Closes
Waitrose Executive Chef Moves On
Ethnic Cuisine Closes
Boporan Acquires Northern Foods
Northern Foods Proposes Closure of Head Office
Young's Seafood Ltd
Meat-Free Brands Sold by Premier
International Cuisine Creates Jobs
Amy's Kitchen Starts UK Production
LEGISLATIVE CHANGES
Flavouring Legislation
Defrosted Legislation
Food Labelling
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
Fairtrade Ready Meals
Gluten-Free Ready Meals
Ready Meal Kits
Lake House Table
Pastabox
Eat In by the Co-Operative
Lovely Vegetables
Charlie Bigham's
Giovanni Rana Pasta Ready Meals
LighterLife Ready Meals
GOVERNMENT
Funds for Business Innovation
Government Public Health Responsibility Deal
Best-Before Dates Scrapped
The Global Market
GLOBAL BRANDS
Birds Eye
Findus
HJ Heinz
THE US
Forecasts
INTRODUCTION
General Economic Forecasts
FORECASTS TO
MARKET GROWTH
FUTURE TRENDS
Continued Chilled Ready Meals Development
Tougher Times for Frozen Ready Meals
Continued Expansion in the US
Reduced Promotions
DIY Ready Meals
Company Profiles
INTRODUCTION
DEFINITIONS
Turnover (Sales)
Pre-Tax Profit
Profit Margin
Average Remuneration
Sales per Employee
FURTHER INFORMATION
BAKKAVÖR FOODS LTD
Previous Name(s) and Date(s) of Change
Principal Activities
SIC Codes
Structure
Brand Information
Recent Developments
FINANCIAL PROFILE
Sales
Profits
Employees
Balance Sheet/Ratios
BIRDS EYE LTD
Previous Name(s) and Date(s) of Change
Principal Activities
SIC Codes
Structure
Brand Information
Recent Developments
FINANCIAL PROFILE
Sales
Profits
Employees
Balance Sheet/Ratios
GREENCORE GROUP PLC
Previous Name(s) and Date(s) of Change
Principal Activities
SIC Codes
Structure
Brand Information
Recent Developments
FINANCIAL PROFILE
Sales
Profits
Employees
Balance Sheet/Ratios
HJ HEINZ COMPANY LTD
Previous Name(s) and Date(s) of Change
Principal Activities
SIC Codes
Structure
Brand Information
Recent Developments
FINANCIAL PROFILE
Sales
Profits
Employees
Balance Sheet/Ratios
KERRY FOODS LTD
Previous Name(s) and Date(s) of Change
Principal Activities
SIC Code
Structure
Brand Information
Recent Developments
FINANCIAL PROFILE
Sales
Profits
Employees
Balance Sheet/Ratios
NORTHERN FOODS LTD
Previous Name(s) and Date(s) of Change
Principal Activities
SIC Code
Structure
Brand Information
Recent Developments
FINANCIAL PROFILE
Sales
Profits
Employees
Balance Sheet/Ratios
PREMIER FOODS GROUP LTD
Previous Name(s) and Date(s) of Change
Principal Activities
SIC Codes
Structure
Brand Information
Recent Developments
FINANCIAL PROFILE
Sales
Profits
Employees
Balance Sheet/Ratios
Company Financials
Further Sources
Associations
Publications
General Sources
Government Publications
Other Sources
Understanding TGI Data
Number, Profile, Penetration
Social Grade
Standard Region

- Bakkavör Foods Ltd
- Birds Eye Ltd
- Findus Group Ltd
- Greencore Group PLC
- HJ Heinz Company Ltd
- Kerry Foods Ltd
- Northern Foods Ltd
- Premier Foods Group Ltd