Y-Pulse® (ypulse.org) and The Culinary Visions® Panel collaborated to conduct a survey with over 1,000 consumers to better understand how consumers in different age groups and life stages approach food choices and the factors that drive their purchase decisions.
The focus of the study was on snacking behavior because younger consumers in particular eat more small meals or snacks throughout the day rather than traditional meals favored by their parents and grandparents. Overall, Millennial consumers do not care as much about defining an eating experience as a meal or snack as they do about satisfying their need to eat what they want, when and where they choose to eat it.
The Millennial generation includes consumers born between 1977 and 1992 who are 19 to 36 years old today. This study took a closer look at younger Millennials, ages 19-25, middle Millennials, ages 26-30 and older Millennials, ages 31-36. An understanding of different age groups and their lifestyles is important to understanding the factors that influence their food decisions away from home. Young consumers who are still finishing college and living at home behave differently than those in transition to their own financial independence or those who are heads of their own households with young children.
Read this study to learn more about:
- What characteristics influence snack choices for day time snacks and night time snacks
- How snack choice differ for Millennials living with roommates from those living alone or with their families
- How much Millennial consumers in different age and lifestyle groups are willing to pay for snack foods they consider high in value
- How Millennials feel about service that is enhanced by technology
- Different perceptions Millennials have about snack they buy on campus versus those they purchase from other foodservice venues