Continued growth for frozen

The frozen retail market has again demonstrated resilience in the face of a volatile retail industry, according to the latest retail figures from Kantar Worldpanel.

Looking at the 52 weeks to 29 March 2015, the frozen retail market grew in value by 0.5% year on year (yoy) to a value of nearly £5.8 billion.

The stand out success this quarter has been the frozen pizza category, which has seen a 6.3% volume and 5.5% value growth yoy. This is likely due to a variety of factors including a growth in recognition of the quality and convenience of frozen pizzas.

Frozen ready meals have also seen a return to growth, with a 2.1% volume and 0.8% value increase yoy at a time when much of the retail market has remained flat.

Brian Young, chief executive of the British Frozen Food Federation, says, “We’re currently living in a period of real uncertainty for the retail industry with the big four continuing to suffer at the hands of changing shopping habits and the increasing popularity of discounters. In light of this, to see such positive results in frozen food is encouraging yet also unsurprising.

“We’re increasingly seeing consumers start to recognise the benefits as well as the quality of frozen food, which is reflected in positive growth in several sectors of the industry. It is essential that the industry continues to push quality NPD to ensure these trends continue.”