A new global IKEA study reveals that Canadians are embracing more casual and flexible eating habits as screens, busy schedules and smaller living spaces reshape how – and where – they dine. The survey – one of the largest cooking & eating ones ever conducted – was conducted by over 31,000 respondents across 31 markets. The study found that Canadians are least likely to sit at a kitchen table, with only 38% doing so regularly. Instead, many are turning to sofas (27%) or even their beds (5%), and a striking 32% snack late at night – well above the global average of 20 per cent.
"Despite the emotional importance of food, shared meals are under pressure," says Lorena Lourido Gomez, Global Food Manager at IKEA Retail (Ingka Group). "Busy schedules, compact living, and competing priorities make it harder for people to come together, not just at the same time, but in the same place," she says.
With screens firmly embedded in daily life, many Canadians are now eating with them – only 6% reported using the kitchen table as a device-free zone, and half say they watch TV while eating with others. These evolving routines also reflect the practical realities of modern life. Limited time and increasing compact, multipurpose kitchens make cooking more challenging. In Canada, the main frustrations when it comes to cooking at home are lack of surface space (31%) and lack of storage (29%). As kitchens increasingly double as dining, working, and social spaces, many people struggle to make the room work for their real-life needs.
Click here to see more...