Heat Rises
One in nine grab and go purchases served hot

From June to December 2016, sales of our hot food products continued to rocket and we estimate that hot options now account for around one in nine (11%) of all grab and go purchases. This is an increase of 2.5% on the previous financial year (2015 - 2016) and almost double that of the twelve months prior to this (2014-2015) when hot foods accounted for just 6% of the to-go market. Salads on the other hand have continued to chill at just 2.5% (or one in 25 purchases) remaining consistent with the previous financial year and showing only a marginal lift (less than 1%) on the year before.

Sandwiches maintained the lions share continuing to command almost two thirds (63%) of the grab and go takeaway market. This is in keeping with the last financial year though still 6% down on 2014-2015 when just shy of one in seven (69.5%) grab and go purchases were a sandwich product. In terms of sandwich type the wedge is back having regained its edge from the baguette. Over the past six months almost half (46%) of sandwiches were served with a triangular cut, an additional 8% slice of the market on the last financial year. 

Hot drinks retained their foothold - one in ten grab and go purchases - though inched into another 0.5% of the grab and go market to claim 10.5%. This is inline with the growth we've since 2014-2015 when hot beverage sales were closer to one in twelve purchases (8.6%).

Over the past six months Baked and bagged snacks have seen the biggest decline in sales dropping from around one in six purchases (16%) to one in ten (10%). During 2014-2015 baked and bagged snacks accounted for 15% of grab and go sales.

You can see the findings from our previous market report here.