<p>By: Rick Stein, Vice President of Industry Relations, FMI </p><p><img src="https://www.fmi.org/images/default-source/blog-images/meat-counter-man.tmb-large-350-.png?Culture=en&sfvrsn=48dbe6ff_1" style="float:right;margin:10px;" class="-align-right" alt="Man at meat counter" sf-size="364591" /><span style="background-color:transparent;color:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;">As consumer preferences shift, the meat category remains key to grocery sales and customer loyalty. By understanding trends like evolving protein choices and sustainability, grocers can differentiate themselves and drive growth through data-informed decisions. </span></p><div><h5 paraid="487950057" paraeid="{11719d88-6d94-4785-b392-0aa748baef1b}{204}">Evolving Consumer Preferences and the Power of In-Store Experiences </h5></div><div><p paraid="168024411" paraeid="{11719d88-6d94-4785-b392-0aa748baef1b}{214}">The economic conditions have had a substantial impact on how Americans shop for meat and poultry, particularly those who are worse off financially in comparison to last year. Money-saving measures are widespread, some favoring retailers whereas others affect where, what and how much meat and poultry people buy. Looking for promotions, price comparisons, channel shifting, along with efforts to prevent food waste are among the key measures to save. Importantly, more than nine in 10 shoppers can be persuaded to splurge a little, especially during holidays, special occasions and entertaining, according to Power of Meat 2024. </p></div><div><p paraid="2098753960" paraeid="{082fb702-17c2-4141-a971-be4325e3fb08}{13}">More people (37% up from 28%) purchased meat in larger quantities to freeze and use over time in 2023 versus 2022. Freezing habits signal package innovation opportunities in regards to shelf-life, portions and being freezer-ready. Value dominates the purchase decision, with the top three drivers being quality, price per pound and the total package price. Brand preferences differ by protein, with Boomers being the least likely to make brand-based purchase decisions. <br /></p></div><div><h5 paraid="1103165439" paraeid="{082fb702-17c2-4141-a971-be4325e3fb08}{63}">Meat and Poultry Preparation </h5></div><div><p paraid="1967906385" paraeid="{082fb702-17c2-4141-a971-be4325e3fb08}{69}">The oven and stovetop are the top two appliances for everyday meat and poultry preparation across generations. The third most-frequently used appliance differs between the air fryer for Gen Z, Millennials and Gen X versus the slow cooker for Boomers. When cooking for guests, usage of stovetops, microwaves and air fryers declines in favor of gas and charcoal grills and smokers. Purchases of value-added meat and poultry declined in 2023, with a direct correlation to inflationary pressures in the marketplace, according to Power of Meat 2024. </p></div><div><h5 paraid="906942524" paraeid="{ec500bbf-8b2d-4080-85d5-a099fa20675d}{105}">Insights at the Annual Meat Conference (AMC) </h5><p paraid="906942524" paraeid="{ec500bbf-8b2d-4080-85d5-a099fa20675d}{105}">For grocers seeking deeper insights and industry collaboration, attending AMC 2025 is invaluable. One 2024 Retailer Attendee summed it up: "AMC is all about learning and connection! The hands-on workshops, like the beef fabrication demo, and the deep dives into market trends were incredibly valuable. It’s a great opportunity to build your skills and gain real-world, actionable insights!" </p></div><div><p paraid="1921661435" paraeid="{082fb702-17c2-4141-a971-be4325e3fb08}{141}"><a href="https://meatconference.com/program?utm_source=amc25&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=amc25&utm_id=blog_AMC25_ConsumerInsights#March24" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">This year’s program features</a> sessions on critical trends and innovations, including: </p></div><div><ul role="list"><li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1" role="listitem"><p paraid="1004484419" paraeid="{082fb702-17c2-4141-a971-be4325e3fb08}{150}">The AI-Informed Meat Department: How artificial intelligence can optimize operations. </p></li><li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1" role="listitem"><p paraid="1004484419" paraeid="{082fb702-17c2-4141-a971-be4325e3fb08}{150}"><span style="background-color:transparent;color:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;">Behind the Meat Counter: Pork Carcass Fabrication: Hands-on expertise in meat preparation. </span></p></li><li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1" role="listitem"><p paraid="1004484419" paraeid="{082fb702-17c2-4141-a971-be4325e3fb08}{150}"><span style="background-color:transparent;color:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"></span><span style="background-color:transparent;color:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;">Power of Meat Live: Insights into consumer behavior and purchasing patterns. </span></p></li><li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1" role="listitem"><p paraid="1004484419" paraeid="{082fb702-17c2-4141-a971-be4325e3fb08}{150}"><span style="background-color:transparent;color:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"></span><span style="background-color:transparent;color:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;">Discover Trends That Keep You on the Edge: Market changes and evolving consumer preferences. </span></p></li></ul></div><div><p paraid="1281463033" paraeid="{a8ede41b-0fca-400d-bf9e-abacd9154148}{22}">The 2025 Annual Meat Conference sessions are designed to address key areas of interest for attendees, with a particular emphasis on packaging, merchandising, and in-store displays. These topics are front and center as retailers and suppliers look for innovative ways to attract shoppers, elevate the shopping experience, and drive sales in an increasingly competitive market. The sessions will showcase cutting-edge packaging solutions that prioritize both sustainability and shelf appeal, as well as merchandising strategies that optimize product visibility and engagement. According to Power of Meat 2024, almost four-in-10 shoppers consider “better-for-the-planet” when purchasing meat products. The 2025 Power of Meat will provide even more insights into consumer interests. </p></div><div><p paraid="1603540727" paraeid="{55ae7cb6-e0e7-4d91-9805-7b771cf861c6}{30}">Attendees will also explore creative in-store display concepts in the AMC Exhibit Hall that connect with consumers, create memorable brand experiences, and ultimately influence purchasing decisions. The conference aims to equip participants with actionable insights to enhance their operations and meet evolving consumer expectations by focusing on these critical areas. </p></div><div><h5 paraid="1166551846" paraeid="{082fb702-17c2-4141-a971-be4325e3fb08}{176}">Driving Success Through Data-Driven Decisions </h5><p paraid="1166551846" paraeid="{082fb702-17c2-4141-a971-be4325e3fb08}{176}">In today’s fast-evolving retail landscape, a proactive, insight-driven approach helps grocers meet customer expectations and drive growth. By leveraging data and resources like AMC 2025, retailers can elevate their meat departments, build loyalty, and stay ahead of the competition. </p></div><div><p paraid="334244326" paraeid="{082fb702-17c2-4141-a971-be4325e3fb08}{186}">What keeps our attendees coming back? The Power of Meat presentation and unmatched educational sessions! Join us at AMC 2025, March 24-26, in Orlando, to be part of this year’s top educational sessions! </p></div><p><a href="https://meatconference.com/?utm_source=amc25&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=amc25&utm_id=blog_AMC25_ConsumerInsights" target="_blank" class="button">Register Today</a><br /></p>
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