Snac World - Official State of the Industry 2024 - 11

STATE OF THE INDUSTRY
SALES AND INNOVATION
DRIVEN BY FLAVORS
Taste reigns supreme over all attributes
across generations with almost
three-quarters of consumers refusing to
sacrifice taste when choosing snacks, according
to the Snack Index. Baby boomers
were most unwilling to compromise on
taste, followed by Gen Xers.
" Flavor is the top priority of consumers
when it comes to salty snacks, with 67%
using snacks to fulfill a craving, " said
Brian Smenos, vice president of marketing,
Snak King. " Flavor trumps interest in
BFY, and the flavor experience should be
prioritized in messaging or new item development. "
Interest
in spicy foods grew during
the first half of 2023, according to
Datassential. Spicy Nashville hot, spicy
margarita and mango habanero flavors
saw triple-digit increases during that time.
Extremely bold and spicy flavor profiles
spell success for salty snacks, especially
among young consumers driven by social
media and interest in unique experiences
and combinations.
" We continue to see broad consumer
appeal for unique and bold flavors in
snacking, " said Chris Foley, executive
vice president, Campbell's Snacks division.
" Within Campbell's portfolio, you'll
see this come to life broadly. "
The company's Late July brand
launched its Hawaiian Habanero and
Scorchin' Sauce tortilla chips.
Flavors inspired by international cuisines
resonate for snacks as well. Poppy
Handcrafted Popcorn LLC launched
three new internationally inspired flavors:
Caribbean Jerk, Mediterranean Herb and
Mexican Street Corn to celebrate its 10th
anniversary this year.
" Spicy, bold flavor profiles have been
growing, and adding another dimension
like 'crunch' can grab consumer attention, "
Smenos added. " Continued innovation
will guide product innovation for
2024. "
Snacks division. " We're also looking at the way
our food feels and sounds. When you try our new
Goldfish Crisps, you'll see multi-sensorial in action.
Here we crafted a balance of texture, taste, feel and
sound. "
The Hershey Co., Hershey, Pa., is innovating
within its brands to better respond to consumers
and retail partners considering new flavor trends
and textures. Recent innovations include Pirate's
Booty Crunch Attack! featuring puffs with a crunchier
texture, Dot's Homestyle Pretzels' Cinnamon
Sugar limited-time offer (LTO) flavor that became a
standard offering and SkinnyPop's new Cheddar
Jalapeño flavor. During the year, Hershey plans to
launch more LTO SkinnyPop flavors and new pack
types to meet evolving consumer needs.
SNACKING ON THE GO
Consumers are now turning to
snacks as a convenient meal or
ingredient to a meal, and it is becoming
a driver for the category, according
to the 2024 US Snack Index
by Frito-Lay North America and The
Quaker Oats Co., both subsidiaries
of PepsiCo Inc. The Index found that
consumers are more pressed for
time than ever, which is felt most by
younger generations.
The Index also reports that the average
American spends only 52 minutes
per day preparing and eating meals,
while one-third say they have less than
30 minutes a day. As a result, consumers
are integrating favorite snacks into
meals, up 35% over previous years. Once a week,
more than half of consumers use snacks as a key
ingredient in no-prep dinners, and more than onethird
use snacks multiple times a week. Both sweet
and savory snacks deliver on the need to satisfy
cravings and provide comfort.
Millennials and Generation Z consider themselves
savvy snackers, and 55% report their favorite snack
combinations are inspired by what they have in the
pantry, while 32% also turn to social media for additional
ideas, according to the Snack Index. They
are creative with food, and 65% admit to creating
unusual snack combinations.
" Snacks are fun and create exciting experiences,
and social media influencers also boost that excitement.
Those who value that kind of snacking experience
will buy products with a fun factor, " Lyons
Wyatt said.
Dot's Homestyle
Pretzels'
Cinnamon
Sugar LTO
became a
standard
flavor after
success with
consumers.
The Hershey Co.
2024 SNAC WORLD
11
Snac World - Official State of the Industry 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Snac World - Official State of the Industry 2024
