7 Natural Snacks Contributing to Category Growth
By Abbey Lewis on Mar. 29, 2017CHICAGO -- Sales of natural products have grown $63 billion over the course of the past 10 years. In convenience stores today, those sales are up 14% over just the previous year. Natural snacks' portion of that total currently contributes $5.7 billion in sales across all industries.
Those numbers don’t belong to a fad—a passing craze perpetuated by demographics with new cash in their wallets. Those numbers don’t belong to the wealthy. Nor do they belong to boutique shops catering to yoga teachers and health-food nuts. They're in the c-store—and they're big business.
And that business is growing thanks to opportunities in the natural snacking space. New data from SPINS, a Chicago-based provider of retail consumer insights and consulting for the natural, organic and specialty products industries, breaks down the share of growth in sub-categories across natural snacks.
Here's a look at how the products in c-stores break down ...
1. Wellness Bars & Gels
Wellness bars and gels, as well as shelf-stable chips, pretzels and snacks, contribute the most to the total sales volume of the natural snacks category, with 33.1% share. They also represent the most in terms of contribution to growth at 33.8%. This measure was recorded as of the 52 weeks ending Dec. 25, 2016, and represents the change over the previous year.
One example of a wellness bar in growth mode is Larabar. The company's latest release helps consumers eat their greens with the new Fruits + Greens bar. Each bar has one-fourth cup of kale or spinach plus fruits and nuts. It is available in Strawberry Spinach Cashew, Pineapple Kale Cashew and Mango Spinach Cashew varieties.
2. Shelf-Stable Chips & Pretzels
Shelf-stable chips and pretzels' portion of that sales volume in the natural snacks segment accounts for 20.6% of the growth.
One example of these natural snacks comes from Hain Celestial. Its new Sensible Portions, Terra and Garden of Eatin’ offerings help fulfill consumer desires for flavorful, better-for-you options. Salt & Vinegar Stacked Veggie Chips are joining the Sensible Portions lineup, and plantain chips—premium tropical snacks made with coconut oil in Plantain with Sea Salt and Sweet Plantains flavors—are joining the Terra lineup. Garden of Eatin’ launched two boldly seasoned corn tortilla chips in Nacho and Ranch.
3. Salsas & Dips
Refrigerated salsas and dips account for 1.8% of category share and 4.2% of the overall growth. Shelf-stable salsas and dips account for 1.9% of sales volume and 1.1% of growth.
Go Veggie has launched new Go Veggie Vegan Spread & Dip Minis for health-conscious and on-the-go consumers. Go Veggie minis are regarded as the only vegan, plant-based substitute for traditional spreads and dips. Aimed at the more than 108 million Americans with special diets—whether it's seeking better nutrition or avoiding food allergens—Go Veggie minis are made from healthy coconut and full of rich and creamy flavor. They are free from dairy, lactose, cholesterol, gluten, preservatives and GMOs and are kosher/pareve certified.
4. Shelf-Stable Nuts, Trail Mix & Dried Fruit
Shelf-stable nuts, trail mix and dried fruit contribute 5.3% to natural snacking sales volume and 1.3% of growth.
SuperSeedz has expanded its family of products with a convenient 1-ounce pouch of gourmet pumpkin seeds available in six flavors: Maple Sugar & Sea Salt, Sea Salt, Somewhat Spicy, Cinnamon & Sugar, Coco Joe and Super Spicy. The pouches are available for a suggested retail price range of $1.49 and $1.99 and ship in a display-ready, 12-count caddy. SuperSeedz are known to offer more plant-based protein than other nut sources such as peanuts, pistachios, almonds and chia seeds.
5. Shelf-Stable Jerky & Meat Snacks
Shelf-stable jerky and meat snacks account for 1% of sales volume in the natural snacks segment but represent 4.1% of growth.
Perky Jerky 100% Grass-Fed Beef Sticks are free of nitrites, preservatives, gluten and added MSG. The 1-ounce meat sticks come in four flavors: Original, Brewmaster’s Pale Ale, Tasty Teriyaki and Jammin’ Jamaican. The company also sells beef and turkey jerky. It marinates tender cuts of meat overnight, allowing natural ingredients to soak in.
6. Shelf-Stable Crackers & Crispbreads
Shelf-stable crackers and crispbreads contribute 7% to natural snacking sales volume and 11.5% of the growth.
Boulder Canyon has three new gluten-free snack crisps made with an array of wholesome ingredients, including lentils, peas, carrots, quinoa, amaranth and other ancient grains. Varieties include Lentil Carrot Quinoa Crisps in Sea Salt & Cracked Pepper and Balsamic Herb flavors; Snap Pea Crisps in Sea Salt and Creamy Ranch; and Ancient Grains Crisps in Roasted Red Salsa and Pink Himalayan Salt & Cracked Pepper. Crisps are available in 5.5-ounce bags for an SRP of $3.49 per package.
7. Shelf-Stable Cookies & Snack Bars
Shelf-stable cookies and snack bars contribute 10.9% to total sales volume and 13% of the growth.
A gluten-free twist on classic favorites, Goodie Girl Cookies are available in seven flavors: Quinoa Chocolate Chunk, Midnight Brownie, Toffee Chaos, Oatmeal Raisin, Mint Slims, Cocoa Slims and Vanilla Slims. Goodie Girl recently partnered with Toufayan Bakeries, a well-known brand in the gluten-free market and one of the largest privately owned commercial bakeries in the United States.