2024
8
German Attitudes towards Food and Drink for At-home Socialising Consumer Report 2024
2024-11-29T14:01:20+00:00
REP03FA60F8_AEB5_4781_ADAE_BE709879386F
2195
177726
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Report
en_GB
Hosting social gatherings is common among Germans, with 79% doing so. 41% host less than once a month, leaving brands…
Germany
Drinks
Food
simple

German Attitudes towards Food and Drink for At-home Socialising Consumer Report 2024

Hosting social gatherings is common among Germans, with 79% doing so. 41% host less than once a month, leaving brands room to increase hosting frequency.

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  1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

    • The five-year outlook for at-home socialising
    • Market context
    • The economic situation poses a risk for hosts…
    • …impacting mental health and risking isolation
    • Opportunities
    • Simplify variety and sharing with assortments
    • Products that enable a personal touch find appeal
    • Place yourself at the centre of the conversation
    • Don’t let consumers wait for an occasion to host
  2. MARKET DRIVERS

    • The German economy
    • 2024 remains challenging
    • Graph 1: key economic data, in real terms, 2019-25
    • The inflation rate is bouncing back to more conventional levels
    • Inflation is still the key factor affecting consumers’ finances…
    • …confidence and expenditure
    • Graph 2: financial confidence index, 2022-24
    • Rising restaurant prices make takeaway and home cooking more appealing
    • The impact of the economy on socialising at home
    • Health
    • Money and social isolation impact mental health
    • Graph 3: perception of social life, by financial situation, 2024
    • DGE and WHO aim to limit alcohol consumption
    • Lifestyles
    • Home as a merged space…
    • …for personal, social and work life
    • Spending mood is higher when in company
    • Graph 4: discretionary spending categories that consumers spend money on over the course of the year, 2024
    • Spending mood is higher when in company
  3. WHAT CONSUMERS WANT AND WHY

    • Frequency of hosting at-home social gatherings
    • Eight in ten Germans host social gatherings at home
    • Make ‘now’ the occasion to get together
    • Target 18-24s – the top hosters – with eye-catchers…
    • …and mature consumers with selections for afternoon tea
    • Make nine in 10 financially well-off consumers aware  of interesting products
    • Create snack bundles for parents and children
    • Food & drink products served at at-home social gatherings
    • Food & drink are integral to social gathering
    • Suggest how hosts can add a personal touch
    • Drinks are a staple for hosting at home
    • Graph 5: types of products served at at-home social gatherings, 2024
    • Add a spark of excitement to non-alcoholic drinks…
    • …and variety with drink selections
    • Store-bought snacks are a convenient serving option
    • Offering multi-flavour snack packs and single servings
    • Provide party selections to boost variety…
    • …and use multi-brand packages to build brand awareness
    • Snacks and sweets in large-unit packs remain low
    • Graph 6: snack and sweet confectionary launches, by unit pack size, 2020-24
    • Guide men in making meals themselves
    • Offer alcohol alternatives to cater to younger hosts
    • Target takeaway orderers with retail food & drink bundles
    • Reasons for not hosting at-home social gatherings
    • Lack of space is the most prevalent reason for not hosting
    • Graph 7: reasons for not hosting at-home social gatherings, 2024
    • Create meal sets for small groups to tackle isolation
    • Ease the cleaning-up process for hosts
    • Make at-home gatherings more enjoyable for men…
    • …by drawing inspiration from their hobbies
    • Interest in concepts for social gatherings at home
    • One in two hosts are interested in food-sharing boards
    • Graph 8: interest in concepts for social gatherings at home, 2024
    • Create sharing food platters…
    • …taking inspiration from international category examples…
    • …and product assortments
    • Make the most of ready-made foods’ potential
    • Barbecue mixes that are (almost) ready to serve
    • Cooking kits for a personal – but quick – meal
    • Create baking kits for parents…
    • …that help engage their children
    • Personalise baking kits…
    • …and offer half-home-made products
    • Behaviour towards socialising at home
    • Good food & drink are important for social get-togethers…
    • Graph 9: behaviour towards products when hosting at-home gathering, 2024
    • …as three in four hosts prefer at-home socials over going out
    • Graph 10: behaviour towards hosting an at-home social gathering, 2024
    • Highlight quality and ingredients for a premium feel
    • Use kits and boxes to recreate evenings out at home
    • Make use of Germans’ preference for joint breakfasts…
    • …as they enjoy it in company on the weekends
    • Stand out to spark conversation
    • Attitudes towards social gatherings at home
    • Germans seek product variety and healthier options
    • Graph 11: attitudes towards food and drink variety at social gatherings at home, 2024
    • Provide alcohol alternatives to balance alcohol
    • Almdudler positions itself as the heart of a party
    • Inspire with healthy recipes for scratch cookers
    • Stand out with flavoured healthy snacks
    • Tapping into snacks on the healthier side
    • At-home gatherings are more affordable than going out
    • Graph 12: attitudes towards hosting and attending social gatherings at home, 2024
    • Enhance the convenience of takeaways
  4. APPENDIX

    • Appendix – products covered, abbreviations, consumer research methodology and language usage
    • Topics covered in this Report
    • Abbreviations
    • Consumer research methodology
    • A note on language
Download Report Summary

Hosting social gatherings is common among Germans, with 79% doing so. 41% host less than once a month, leaving brands room to increase hosting frequency.

Although 74% of Germans agree that socialising over food at home is more affordable than going to a restaurant, economic pressure also impacts their behaviour; 47% of German hosts have cut back on their spending for at-home social gatherings.

German hosts show a strong preference for adding a personal touch to the food & drink they serve, with 75% serving homemade food. Still, store-bought options remain popular for their convenience and variety. Ready meals, as well as baking and cooking kits will find appeal, especially for male hosts or parents.

Interest in food-sharing boards is high among 51% of hosts, highlighting the opportunity for brands to offer ready-to-serve assortments and occasion-themed platters. Hosts are drawn to premium products and unique flavours, with 57% saying they like to buy food/drink that will be a conversation starter at their gatherings, and 54% note that such gatherings encourage them to buy food & drink they have not tried before. Brands can capitalise on this interest by introducing bold, eye-catching products, and encouraging gatherings without a specific occasion.

This report looks at the following areas:

  • The impact of the economy and VAT increases on Germans socialising at home and out of home
  • Frequency of hosting at-home social gatherings, with eight in ten Germans doing so
  • Food & drink products served at at-home social gatherings, with cold non-alcoholic drinks being the top choice
  • Barriers to hosting at-home events, such as space and cost
  • Consumer interest in food & drink concepts for social gatherings, such as cocktail/mocktail making kits and food-sharing boards
  • Attitudes and behaviour towards socialising at home, focusing on what factors hosts prioritise when serving food & drink products to their guests
  • How brands can support hosts in creating (half-)homemade products to serve at their gatherings

Hosts want to add a personal touch to their servings. Highlight variety with assortments, and encourage them to showcase products they haven’t tried before.

Charlotte Sander, Research Analyst

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