Creed Foodservice highlights key trends shaping the industry for 2025

Creed Foodservice highlights key trends shaping the industry for 2025

Food Trends Foodservice

Creed Foodservice's 2025 Trends Report identifies 'Adapt to Survive' as the crucial trend influencing operators in an evolving foodservice landscape.

Creed Foodservice, a prominent wholesaler, has unveiled its 2025 Trends Report, pinpointing “Adapt to Survive” as the pivotal macro trend shaping the foodservice industry in the coming years. The report, directed by Insights Manager Anna Clapson, reflects the dynamic and often precarious landscape that operators within the sector currently navigate.

Set against a backdrop where consumer confidence is on the upswing, the report forecasts an acceleration in the Eating Out Market, projected to grow by about 2.4% from 2024 to 2027. However, challenges abound, as operators face price sensitivity influenced by rising energy and food costs, fluctuating staffing levels, evolving government policies, and ongoing industrial action. These factors create a complex environment, compelling businesses to innovate and adapt to ensure survival.

Clapson commented on the significance of the core trend, stating, “It’s an interesting period, as we’re seeing glimmers of hope as consumer confidence slowly starts to return, but equally operators are still facing economic and operational challenges. That’s why we have anchored around the core macro trend of Adapt to Survive as everything stems from this.”.

The report separates the core macro trend into six actionable sub-trends that can guide operators in tailored decision-making:

Consistent Quality: A striking 73% of consumers prioritise quality in their dining experiences, while 86% acknowledge that quality often comes at a price, demonstrating a willingness to pay extra for superior offerings.

Personalised Experience: The trend highlights that 62% of consumers are experience-led, particularly among younger generations such as Gen Alpha and Z, who are influenced by experiences shared on social media.

Reshaping Value: Initiatives, such as meal deals targeting students, are gaining traction, especially on quieter days, while the aesthetics in care homes and schools are evolving to convey value through enhanced hospitality environments.

Future Planet: Sustainability is increasingly on consumers’ minds, with 63% expressing a strong consciousness towards environmentally friendly practices. This sentiment is echoed by nearly half of grocery and foodservice professionals, who are prioritising sustainability initiatives within their operations.

Choose Health: Operators are expected to deliver on taste and value while also meeting the nutritional demands of their clientele, as 42% of consumers identify as health-conscious.

Harnessing Digital: With digitalisation becoming a priority, 37% of businesses are focusing on integrating new technologies. The report underscores an upward trend in the utilisation of artificial intelligence systems and robotic equipment in foodservice settings.

As the foodservice industry prepares for the complexities of the upcoming years, each of these trends presents a framework for businesses aiming to thrive amid the shifting marketplace. Clapson emphasised the importance of tailoring these trends to distinct sectors, acknowledging that the challenges faced by operators range widely across various environments, such as schools, care facilities, and hospitality venues.

The comprehensive insights provided by Creed’s 2025 Trends Report aim to equip operators with the information needed to navigate and compete in a continually evolving food production landscape, particularly as they seek to grow their presence within the grocery retail sector.

Meet this year's Foodservice category winners here: http://uk.qualityfoodawards.com/QFA24/en/page/2024-winners-foodservice