The growth of eating and drinking on the move in the UK and the rise of convenience stores poses problems for food packaging and design.

According to research conducted for packaging company Rexam, nearly half of Britons hardly ever plan when or where they are going to eat. Instead, they grab what they can, where they can. As a result, new lightweight, easy-to-handle packaging that is simple to open and close will be needed.

The Busy Lives research, conducted by HI Europe, found that impulse buying by customers on the move was driving growth in local convenience stores, and offered a lifeline to the embattled corner shop. Some 44%of people didn't plan their next meal and 22% of UK eating occasions are now on the move compared to 16% in Europe.

The research showed that while the supermarket remained the preferred place for buying on-the-go food and drink, nearly one in two people regularly purchased from newsagents and kiosks, with 46% going into a local shop and 38% shopping at petrol stations.

It also found that packaging easily swayed on-the-go consumers -- 35% said they were influenced by the colour and shape of products.

Felix Helander, business intelligence director at Rexam, said: "Only by retailers, brands, and packaging companies working together more closely will the needs of these customers be satisfied."