RIMINI — A market that continues to grow, also boosted by increasingly innovative consumption methods, proposals and experiences that are the driving force of a radical transformation of the world’s foodservice sector.
Opening day at the 40th Sigep (International Trade Show of Artisan Gelato, Pastry, Bakery and the coffee world, being held at Rimini expo centre until Wednesday 23rd January) was the opportunity for analyzing the state of health and trends of foodservice at global level.
“The Future is now! The scenario of sweet foodservice in the world: innovation and internationalization. Trends, new formats, successful case histories” was the title of the opening talk held late this morning, moderated by the deputy editor of Il Sole 24 Ore Alessandro Plateroti, with speeches by Matteo Figura, Foodservice Italy Director, NPD, Roberto Bramati, President, Spazio Futuro Group and Commissione Consultiva Food & Food Court CNCC, and conclusions by Ugo Ravanelli, CEO of Italian Exhibition Group, the show’s organizer, and Italy’s minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry Policies and Tourism Gian Marco Centinaio, who reminded attendees of the key role of Italian-made products in the food sector. A sector, as Ravanelli stressed, in which IEG has a high profile. With Sigep, but also other important expo events during the whole year: Beer and Food Attraction, Golositalia, FoodWellExpo, CosmoFood, FoodNova, AbTech and the hosted expo, Macfrut.
Foodservice, a continually growing market
A precise insight on the foodservice market’s global trends was provided by Matteo Figura, manager of NPD, important market research company, specialized for years in research in the foodservice sector. This market has a value of 990 billion euros, with 178 billion visits (consumption opportunities) at global level, and is seen to be continually growing (+2.3% in the latest reports, +3% in Europe).
In the coffee, bakery, confectionery and gelato categories, Italy is among the top countries in world ranking: with an annual per capita average of 251 meals eaten out, Italy is in third place, after Japan (308) and South Korea (324).
As far as coffee drinking is concerned, 52% is concentrated in the USA, Japan and Italy, whereas USA, China and Italy report 51% of the consumption in the Sweet Bakery produce category.
Regarding current trends, among those highlighted by Matteo Figura a leading role is played by so-called hybrid venues: bookstores that become coffee bars, venues that make people want to remain after eating, places in which the added value is given by the experience proposed.
The renewal of brands, starting with the large chains, bears witness to the sector’s dynamism, whereas an already widespread phenomenon at world level, and which is also growing in Italy, is that of the small Fast Casual chains (following in the wake, for example, of Pret-à-manger, Wagamama, Va piano).
Not yet widespread in Europe, but already an established trend elsewhere, Takeaway Coffee, which in Japan has led to putting bottled coffee on the market. Lastly, new digital technology also contributes to transforming the experience of eating out, intervening not only regarding payment methods but also in consumption tout court.
The great transformation under way is borne our by what is happening in shopping centre, where a marked change can be seen: the crossover “From Food Courts to Food Halls”, also the title of the speech by Roberto Bramati, which highlighted how areas dedicated to foodservice are increasingly becoming key players in the facilities offered by shopping centres. Around the Food Halls, areas dedicated to foodservice, which however also become meeting places for meeting socializing and purchasing, increasingly contributing to forming the Malls’ identities.
Focus on Sigep 2019
Dates: 19 – 23 January 2019; Organizers: Italian Exhibition Group SpA; edition: 40th SIGEP; frequency: annual; classification: international; admittance: trade members only; hours: 9:30 am – 6:00 pm, last day 9:30 am – 3:00 pm (3:00 – 5:00 pm only with online tickets); Group Brand manager: Flavia Morelli; Brand managers: Gabriella de Girolamo and Giorgia Maioli; visitor info: +39 0541 744111; Web site: https://en.sigep.it – #Sigep2019
