“Snackification” Consumer Trends to Get Ahead Of

Consumer tastes are always changing, and stores that wait too long to get out ahead of trends will find themselves less competitive in the coming year. If you’re ready to take advantage of the current shifting tides in snacking, these are the trends to prepare for now.

Transparency Rules The Day

Customers are demanding greater transparency when it comes to food safety and trustworthiness, and this year that trend will continue to grow according to the Global Food & Drink Trends 2018 report. Customers are demanding products that are natural and aren’t loaded with ingredients they cannot recognize. Additionally, transparency in labeling is also a growing trend. Customers want labels that are easy to read and understand, and they want packaging that shows them what they are actually getting for their money.

Customers Want Foods That Promote Self-Care

The health and wellness industry grows exponentially every year as more consumers focus on taking time to treat their bodies well. Some of this has to do with backlash against fatty, salty, and preservative-laden convenience foods, and some of it has to do with the rising cost of healthcare. People know that by taking better care of themselves, they can stave off doctor visits.

This means that consumers want snacks that make them feel good about their food choices. They want reasonable portion size, natural ingredients and a good price. They are looking to grab snacks in between meals or in place of meals that provide nutrition and a sense of emotional well-being.

A Multisensory Experience

Not only do consumers want healthy snacks, they want snacks that taste good and provide a positive eating experience. They don’t want to reach for bland, drab, dry snacks. According to the Global Food & Drink Trends 2018 report, texture is becoming a major factor in consumer snacking choices. They want multisensory experiences that incorporate not just satiation and taste, but also smell and touch.

Easy Choices

New consumer snacking trends are complex, but customers want their choices to be simple when they look for snack foods. They don’t want to waste time scanning store aisles for the right snack. Clear packaging can help save time, but stores must also be able to direct customers to what they want quickly so they can grab what they want and get on with their day. Strong merchandising will be necessary to cash in on this year’s trends.

Are You Looking To Stay Ahead of Snacking Trends?

If you want to stay ahead of consumer snacking trends, you have work with vendors who can help you stay in front of the curve. At Mister Snacks, we work with grocery stores, C-stores and specialty shops to ensure that shelves are stocked with high-margin, fast-selling snack foods that speak to the needs of each location’s unique customer base. To learn more about the ways Mister Snacks can help you boost your bottom line, contact our team today.