The grocery industry will face a significant challenge in adapting for the next generation of retired people who will be very different to current pensioners, said IGD chief executive Joanne Denney. She warned that the next generation to retire would not change as they aged and would continue to demand far more from retailers than the over 60s of today. Denney said research by IGD found tomorrow's retired people would be looking for far more convenience foods ­ such as partly prepared meals, takeaways and eating out ­ than the current generation of retired people. She added: "Most revealing is that one third of people in their 50s say eating out, takeaways, ready meals or part-prepared meals will be their main approach to meal preparation when they retire." She said: "Tomorrow's retired people will have different expectations of service. "Although they will really like longer store opening hours, they will look for something different when it comes to staff friendliness and help with finding products. "What will really irritate them is when promises about customer service are not delivered ­ when they will come across out of stocks or get held up at the checkout." Denney said the next generation of high spending pensioners would be good news for c-stores. "They'll benefit from changes in the elderly customer base. "Meal solutions product offerings are attractive and can seriously drive footfall, and there is real flexibility for increasing margins with an offer which combines both convenience location with convenience of product preparation." Denney also warned that although many pensioners would have high disposable incomes, there would also be a substantial underclass who had not made adequate provision for their retirement. "This is the greatest challenge of all. To provide convenience and excitement at the lowest possible cost." {{NEWS }}