When you are starting a new business, you have to understand the audience you are targeting. This means that you have to find out how they think, act and purchase products. Millennials are the new target audience that most brands consider when drafting their marketing plans.
Millennials are individuals aged between the age of 22-37 years. They have become the trendsetters of this new age. These are people who are in college and getting married and they occupy the largest age bracket in the job sector.
Each generation influences the culture, society, and economy. Millennials occupy the biggest demographic so there is a need for your business to drive consumer demand towards this target audience. In this article, we are going to look at the vast ways in which the millennials have influenced your taste buds.
The Top Ways Millennials Are Changing How We Eat
Millennials and “foodies” are perhaps more in sync with each other than previously thought. For instance, snack deliveries are popular today, and it’s all because of the millennials.
This group has become the largest food influencers with a demand for unique flavors and different types of cuisines. Here is a look at how millennials are shaping the food industry.
#1. Millennials Prefer On-the-Go Options
As you might know, millennials prefer eating out rather than cooking at home. Studies show that 58% of them eat out at least once a week. However, eating out has been influenced by different factors. These include:
- More women have joined the workforce.
- Most millennials feel that the cost of eating out and cooking at home is negligible (although you might differ).
- Millennials don’t have the time to cook.
The rise of healthy restaurants will surely overtake fast food joints. Eventually, more millennials will prefer eating out rather than cooking at home.
#2. Millennials Prefer Healthier Food
Did you know that 81% of the food millennials eat is based on a healthy approach? Well, you might argue that since these folks like to eat out a lot they are likely to be living an unhealthy lifestyle. However, research points out that the majority of them prefer eating healthier food and they are more willing to pay more money for it.
The health trends come and go, but millennials have continued to be conscious about what they put in their bodies. This is also the generation that has an all-time high rate of obesity.
Millennials have put in place measures and are educating themselves more about the need to eat organic food. It is estimated that 40% of millennials prefer purchasing food products which are organic.
#3. Millennials Are Open to How Food Is Bought
Millennials are not just changing the food you are eating but how you are buying that food. There has been a rise in grocery delivery services such as Door to Door Organics. It is estimated that 57% of millennials are willing to order online while others are looking forward to virtual supermarkets.
The food delivery service industry has been quite stagnant. However, with the influence of millennials, food delivery options are increasing which ensures healthy food can be delivered to your doorstep.
#4. Millennials Value the Planet
If you are from the older generation then you probably still read labels about the number of calories and fat found in food products. I am not saying this is a bad idea since the actually majority of the world still does that. However, millennials are actually more interested to find out where the food is sourced.
Studies show that a lot of millennials are more concerned about the planet. There have been high rates of carbon emission and degradation of the environment. Millennials are more vocal about caring for the environment; that is why they are concerned about how food is sourced.
This has led to a lot of food manufacturers instituting better food sourcing methods. Moreover, they have gone the extra mile to ensure that even food packaging is environmentally friendly.
#5. Millennials Will Try Anything
Two things that make millennials unique: they are open-minded and curious. This generation is willing to try out anything. As your menu expands to food which you have never even heard of, thank a millennial.
Most millennials get their food tips from social media, websites, fitness experts and bloggers. However, since they heavily rely on information from them, it very easy for nutrition myths to be spread. This may have negative effects on later generations.
