Pubs must watch evolving snack market
According to research analysts Kantar Worldpanel, there are two big factors affecting how consumers snack in the UK: health concerns and, more surprisingly, technology.
The snack food industry is now competing with smartphones for attention in those moments of boredom, pain, fatigue or self-indulgence.
There’s also space to innovate around the new trends in health, as consumers opt for all-round nutrition as opposed to low-calorie or ‘diet’ snacks.
Sensory hit
Global head of Kantar TNS Qualitative Anjali Puri suggested snack foods need to ramp up the sensory hit if these brands are going to compete with devices for consumers’ attention.
She said: “Sharper flavours and formats can help cut through the noise at a moment when blander and more traditional snack foods might melt into the background.
“A plethora of surprising, inventive flavours and textures are emerging to respond to the more adventurous palates of consumers.
“Increasing popularity of snacks like chilli chocolate, wasabi nuts and Bombay Mix suggests people are lusting after harder-hitting, more exotic flavours.”
Technology addiction
Puri explained that operators and snack producers need to realise that while health is still a trend in the market, price is still something consumers rank is important too.
She added: “To reclaim some of the airtime lost to today’s customer’s lightning-paced lives and addiction to technology, brands must understand the exact drivers that prompt them to pick up a bite to eat.
“They also need to understand that low calorie is not what health-conscious customers are necessarily looking for and that price is still a key factor in their decision making.”
