ORLANDO, FL — While Americans face financial pressure, there is one precious commodity with more value than ever: time. Regardless of generation or demographic, people are strapped for time, and they’re looking for resources that can help them save it.
That was insight from Anne-Marie Roerink, president of research firm 210 Analytics, during her opening presentation at IDDBA 2026, being held June 7-9 in Orlando, FL.
“It doesn’t matter if we’re talking about the week or the weekend,” she said. “Everybody is juggling all the challenges of life, and they’re all looking for solutions.”
In the supermarket perimeter, prepared meals emerge as a viable, timely solution for getting dinner on the table faster. According to 210 Analytics research, 54% of shoppers said they’re confident in preparing meals they might like; Roerink called that out as a “huge opportunity” for retailers to help consumers have dinner ready at a moment’s notice. And that means opportunity for commercial bakery producers to take part in that solution.
“You can help people save time by putting items together that make sense,” she advised. “That could mean bacon and eggs or soup and bread.”
Modern technology now takes convenience a step beyond the meal prep, with online ordering and third-party delivery services.
“There’s interest among Gen Z and millennials for delivery, including everything from the deli,” Roerink said, noting a reduced focus on having meals prepared onsite in the in-store deli. “There’s now tremendous interest in all sorts of innovations, whether that’s one person ready to cook or multiple people interested, the interest is higher among younger generations.”
The need for speed is the common thread, even if the resources evolve. When bakery operators tap into how they can participate with multiple grocery departments and creating new ways for efficient shopping, the possibilities for growth can be endless.
