Snacks set retail growth pace; Bring on the flavor
Insights: Salty snacks are among the fastest-growing foods that consumers are eating more of these days, compared to 10 years ago1. In fact, salty snacks are the fastest-growing food at lunch, the ninth fastest growing food at dinner, and an easy side dish to serve. And, this trend is projected to keep growing 15% over the next four years, with 20% of eating occasions related just to snacking.1 Salty snacks comprised five of the 10 fastest-growing retail food categories between 2005 and 2010.2 Flavor is a key trend growing many segments of the salty snack aisle. Dual flavors and textures, such as: salty with sweet and smooth with crunchy, have sparked new interest in a broader array of palate-pleasers. Spicy and ethnic flavors also are adding new interest to a consumer looking for bolder taste. Also growing the category are new, convenient packages and a demand for healthier snack options, such as: lean proteins, yogurt and chocolate coatings, lower sodium varieties and baked instead of fried. Retailer actions: Since flavor, packaging and health innovations drive snack demand, display is enough to drive impulse sales. Discounts are less important, and that means more profits for stores and greater category lift. Placing snack displays in multiple, high-traffic areas of the store will drive consumer trial and increase volume and incremental sales as consumers veer off their lists to try some new snacks with lots of flavor.
1 Source: NPD Group, Eating Patterns in America, October 2010.
IN THIS ARTICLE      |
Retailers leveraging products that focus on salty snack consumer trends (flavor, packaging and health) can generate bigger profits in the salty snack aisle.
