The Sale of Pre-Packaged Salads - Essay Example

Pre-packaged salads have become more popular in the market as even more people consume them. Various reasons can account for this situation. These reasons are the form of external and internal factors that have made pre-packaged salads popular. Internal factors mainly involve those factors that determine a consumer’s perception of them, and what their ideal image is. These factors are influenced by the consumer themselves as individuals.

Therefore, the kind of lifestyle one chooses to lead will determine their decision to purchase pre-packaged salad or not.  Currently, many people are concerned with healthy living and healthy eating.

Most students lack time for the kitchen, so, they will prefer to buy pre-packaged salad as a timesaving strategy. The factor of buying and disposing of mainly affects single consumers who cannot buy and prepare a salad for a single meal, as most will be disposed of, thus going to waste. Therefore, such consumers will buy the pre-packaged salad, which comes in different quantities and does not go bad easily when it is left over (Solomon, Zaichkowsky & Polegato, 2011).

It is more likely that the sale of pre-packaged salads will continue to grow in the coming years. This is because people are continuously being made aware of healthy eating for better lives. Many people are, therefore, drifting from fast foods and processed foods to more natural foods, including vegetables and fruits. In addition, research shows that most young women are getting an education, therefore, most future mothers will be working mothers, with knowledge of healthy eating, thus these are more likely to purchase pre-packaged vegetables, because of their convenience and health value. To increase the sale of pre-packaged vegetables, the concerned companies need to invest in more advertising. This is to make more consumers knowledgeable about pre-packaged vegetables and to popularize pre-packaged salads and vegetables. Additionally, these companies should avoid using genetically modified crops.

The decision to buy pre-packaged vegetables is largely influenced by the consumer’s economic status. Vegetables and fruits have a higher cost than most foods; therefore, if one is not economically stable, one might not afford a consistent supply of fresh fruits and vegetables. This especially affects those families with only one parent as the breadwinner or a single mother with children. Affording a consistent supply of vegetables and fruits for the whole family might become strenuous. On the other hand, families with both parents as breadwinners will not mind the high cost of vegetables, as they can comfortably afford them (Solomon, Zaichkowsky & Polegato, 2011).

To identify the reasons why some consumers do not buy pre-packaged vegetables, one has to carry out research among a representative population. This should be a face-to-face interview for trusted results. Most responses would point out the high price of vegetables compared to cheaper fast foods. Therefore, based on the economic status of a person, one may tell whether they consume or do not consume pre-packaged vegetables. In addition to face-to-face interviews, questionnaires could be supplied to various points, such as fast food joints, where most of this type of consumers will be easily found. Read More