instore - Nov + Dec 2015 - (Page 44)

cookies, candies & sweets by John Unrein A new foodservice report shows that 63 percent of consumers indulge by enjoying a dessert at least once a week. While most customers tend to favor cookies, cakes and pies, many seek to finish their restaurant meals with something new, according to Technomic's Dessert Consumer Trend Report. The study encourages foodservice brands to strike a balance between traditional and more innovative offerings, such as miniature desserts that appeal to younger consumers ordering them as snacks, meal replacements or a lowercalorie treat. Of note, among the nation's Top 500 chains, caramel, carrot and vanilla are the fastest-growing flavors of baked goods. Incremental dessert sales, and thus higher check averages, could result from brands taking risks and putting a new twist on an old standby, such as the Boston Kreme Croissant Donut at Dunkin' Donuts or the Strawberry Nachos at Old Chicago Pizza & Taproom. "Refreshing the dessert menu can land a restaurant in that sweet spot of appealing to consumers who love to order their favorites as well as a new set of diners excited about new flavors," says Kelly Weikel, Technomic director of consumer insights. "Brands can't go wrong with a well-executed brownie or sundae, but they could also pile on the incremental sales if they think up different ways to pitch dessert, from an afternoon pick-me-up to a flight of several small treats." The Dessert Consumer Trend Report also reveals that 34 percent of consumers say they are more likely to order dessert if a smaller-portion option is available. Their most preferred desserts are brownies (67 percent), apple pie (65 percent) and chocolate cake (59 percent). 44 * NOV + DEC 2015 * instore 63% of consumers indulge by enjoying a dessert at least once a week. 34% of consumers say they are more likely to order dessert if a smaller-portion option is available. Chocolate brands can play a huge role in driving shoppers to the dessert and sweets category. Consider that Oreo cookies top this year's list of Kids' Most Loved Brands, according to findings from the 2015 Young Love study of over 7,000 kids and their parents. Oreo beats out last year's #1 brand, iPad, as well as iconic powerhouses such as Disney, McDonald's, and Netflix. Oreo owes its success to four key elements: heritage/nostalgia, great taste, seemingly-unending product innovation, and a fresh marketing campaign that leverages the brand's interactivity and resonates with American families. Mars Chocolate North America recently announced a lineup of new products that will hit store shelves in the coming months, including Snickers Crisper and goodnessknows snack squares. Mars Chocolate unveiled these items, along with 2016 promotions and merchandising tools, at the National Association of Convenience Stores Show in Las Vegas. "Snickers Bar is the top-selling and fastest-turning item on shelf, so shoppers will be eager to pick up new Snickers Crisper," says Tim LeBel, vice president of sales for Mars Chocolate North America. "This new item, along with new M&M'S Crispy Candies, answers consumers' desire for new textures, which has created a Crispy Crunchy Segment within the Chocolate Category." LeBel explains that confectionery is the most responsive category to quality merchandising, so secondary displays are critical to a retailer's success. Mars offers a wide range of display options, such as a new Counter Rack and C-store Endcap Display, both which include the core Mars and Wrigley brands.

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of instore - Nov + Dec 2015

instore - Nov + Dec 2015
Editor's Note - Channel Blurring
What's Ahead
Table of Contents
News - On Our Radar
Shopper Demographics - Cookies
Deli Prepared Foods
Smaller Households
Commissary Insider - Insight Insider
Preserving Color in Ready-To-Eat Meats
Big Gains for Ancient Grains
Proactive Defense
Deli & Cheese Slicers
Metal Detection
Deli Trends - Clean Eating
Adapting to Change - Foodservice Trends
Growing Movement - Free-form category explodes
Specialty in the Bakery - Artisan bread displays
Be Competitive - Lunchtime
Product Spotlight - Cookies, candies & sweets
Specialty Cheese - Pizza cheeses
Product Trends - First to Market
Product Showcase
Next Up/Ad Index

instore - Nov + Dec 2015