Mini-Meals or Snacks Consumers Like to Eat Often

 

It’s at the intersection of comfort and comfort foods we find consumers treating themselves at home, at work, and on the road according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®.

Mini-meals or snacks have become a daily habit for more than three-quarters of consumers.  Without regard to rising costs and economic challenges, consumers continue to prioritize snacking as a meal replacement.

In a new report conducted by Mondelēz International's, (its fourth) annual State of Snacking report found approximately 71 percent of consumers snack at least twice a day.  The global consumer trends study examines annual insights on how consumers make snacking decisions.

Developed in partnership with The Harris Poll, the report tracks snacking attitudes and behaviors among thousands of consumers surveyed across 12 countries. In addition to snacking daily, consumers globally agree that they are snacking:

·         Mindfully — Seventy-eight percent of consumers say they take time to savor indulgent snacks and 61 percent saying they take time to portion out snacks before eating them.

·         Frequently — Consumers are increasingly replacing meals with snacks, with 55 percent reporting a higher likelihood to eat a snack across all three standard mealtimes.

·         Sustainably — Reducing waste is a top priority, with seven in 10 consumers saying they prioritize snacks that have less packaging and 72 percent saying they typically recycle it.

The survey demonstrates that consumers are looking for snacks to meet different needs in their lives. More than three-quarters (78 percent) say they regularly snack to reward themselves and for a sense of comfort (77 percent). An overwhelming majority of millennials (85 percent) cited both of these reasons.

Given the current economic environment, 67 percent of survey respondents say they would buy fewer of their favorite snack brands rather than generic alternatives, regardless of cost.

"Our State of Snacking report confirms that in these trying times, consumers around the world view their favorite snacks as affordable and necessary indulgences," said Dirk Van de Put, chairman and CEO of Mondelēz International. "Snacking continues to be a way for consumers to connect or to enjoy a moment of delight in their day, further demonstrating our belief that every snack can be enjoyed in a mindful way."

Taking a deeper dive into the report's key insights, here's what macro trends are impacting consumers' snacking decisions:

Mindful Snacking

·         Consumers are making an effort to be mindful and present while snacking, with 78 percent stating they take time to savor indulgent snacks.

·         Sixty-one percent of consumers take time to portion out snacks before eating them and check nutrition labels on snacks before buying them (68 percent).

·         Less than half (46 percent) of respondents say they feel guilty when enjoying an indulgent snack or treat.

Staying Connected

·         Snacking offers an important opportunity to connect with others, with seven in 10 confirming, "Sharing snacks with others is my love language."

·         The trend of regularly sitting down to enjoy snacks with loved ones is especially strong among households in India and Mexico.

Environmental Impact

·         Consumers are very focused on how their snacking choices impact the environment, saying they recognize that both companies and consumers play key roles in sustainable snacking.

·         Sixty-three percent of consumers agree that snacks with a higher environmental impact should cost more, especially millennials (70 percent) and Generation Z (69 percent).

·         Sixty-four percent of consumers are willing to pay more for snacks that are better for the environment and 65 percent would pay more for snacks with ethically sourced ingredients.

Martin Renaud, chief marketing and sales officer at Mondelēz International, stated, "Today's consumer is more conscious than ever about their consumption — and that includes health and well-being, as well as the impact on the planet," ... "The findings of this report continue to help inform our strategy as a global snacking leader with a focus on chocolate and biscuits and a commitment to mindful and sustainable snacking."

Don’t over reach. Are you ready for some fresh ideations? Do your food marketing ideations look more like yesterday than tomorrow? Interested in learning how Foodservice Solutions® can edify your retail food brand while creating a platform for consumer convenient meal participation, differentiation and individualization?  Email us at: Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us or visit us on our social media sites by clicking the following links: Facebook,  LinkedIn, or Twitter

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How are you looking a customer ahead?  Do you know what your customers will be wanting in next month, next year, or two years from now?  The time, talent, and knowledge it takes to develop a flavor profile that is consistent with a consumer favorability rating, over whelming positive is not a skill set most of us have according to Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®.

So, let’s tip our hat to Mondelez for doing just that for all of us.  Johnson, stated, “Mondelez International is now testing future-oriented snacking solutions with a ‘better-for-you’ twist that have been developed by its SnackFutures Innovation Hub in German supermarkets.” New products can drive new electricity into a restaurant brand, C-store, or Dollar Stores food sales while creating a platform of craveability according to Johnson.

The SnackFutures Innovation Hub new products include vegan snack bars made from ‘rescued’ ingredients and snack balls made from organic raw materials.  Regular readers of this blog know that the halo of ‘better-for-you’ is a hallmark driving growth within the grocerant niche filled with Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat fresh or prepared food.

Why is this important? The simple answer is they have the time and talent and most of us do not.  So, SnackFutures goal is to develop novel snacking solutions along with new business models that are outside of their current core business.  Yes, they are looking a customer ahead.

In the USA, where the SnackFutures program began in 2018, innovative snacking product the ilk of CaPao and DirtKitchen are both now on the market for further development and testing. Mondelez is piloting different snacking concepts and brands.

For example, prototypes ready for the market are listed on a trial basis in select local grocery stores, which give the Mondelez team the chance to validate concepts under real world condition early in the development and innovation process, refine, retool, and reposition if needed.

SnackFutures, Kai Thornagel, heat of SanckFutures Hub Central Europe, stated, “For us there is no one methodical approach for the validation of concepts.  We always think backwards from consumer and make a hypotneses as to when, how, and where the consumers want to find a certain snacking solution.

Thornagel continued, stating, “In addition to launching our won innovative snacking solutions, we will concentrate more on establishing partnerships with start-ups.”  Do you have a product or ideation that you would like to take to the world?  Are you ready to drive new electricity for a company, a brand, or chain food retail?

According to Johnson, “Brand relevance is in part driven with innovation in new food products in combination with new avenues of distribution all of which are the platform for the new electricity.”  That said, what are you waiting for?

Johnson stated “that in my minds-eye the new electricity must be very efficient for the supply and includes such things as fresh foods, developing brands, unique urban clothing, grocerant positioning, fresh food messaging, autonomous delivery, cashier-less retail, plates, glasses, cash-less payments, digital hand-held marketing.

All retailers to survive the next generation of retail must embrace the artificial intelligence revolution while simultaneously embracing fresh food that is portable, fresh, with differentiation that is familiar not different. 

Are you looking for a new partnership to drive sales? Are you ready for some fresh ideations? Do your food marketing tactics look more like yesterday that tomorrow?  Visit GrocerantGuru.com for more information or contact: Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us Remember success does leave clues and we just may have the clue you need to propel your continued success.