Shoppers surveyed by Suzy (suzy.com) say they plan to buy more veggie burgers in the next three months while cutting back on beef burgers.
The survey, done in early February by the New York-based real-time market research platform, was of 520 shoppers aged 13-73, split evenly between male and female. There have been reports of consumer pushback over the meat alternatives, seen by some as too expensive, too processed or too high in sodium and fat. So we asked Suzy to research buying plans and perceptions of shoppers.
Let’s start with beef, and move on to alternatives. Some 51% of respondents said they had purchased beef burgers in the previous three months. But only 46% said they planned to buy them again in the upcoming three months.
Now let’s look at beef alternatives, with percentages reporting purchases in the previous three months listed first, followed by purchase plans (in parentheses) for the next three months:
—Chicken burgers, 12% (14%).
—Veggie burgers, 10% (16%).
—Beyond Meat burgers, 9% (9%).
—Turkey burgers, 9% (9%).
—None of the above, 9% (6%).
Veggie burgers had the biggest jump, with a smaller increase from chicken burgers. Their gains pulled from beef burgers and “none of the above,” which also showed a drop.
Did the respondents agree that veggie burgers are healthier than meat burgers? Agree, 38%; strongly agree, 21%; neutral, 33%; disagree, 5%; strongly disagree, 3%.
Do veggie burgers taste as good as meat burgers? Agree, 23%; strongly agree, 18%; disagree, 19%; strongly disagree, 11%. Neutral: 28%.
Veggie burgers cost more than meat burgers, according to 55% of respondents (35% agree and 20% strongly agree). Disagree, 9%; strongly disagree, 2%; neutral, 34%.
Finally, 43% of Suzy’s panelists say veggie burgers are sold at a fair price (30% agree, 13% strongly agree). Neutral, 39%; disagree, 15%; strongly disagree, 2%.
—Warren Thayer
