While 84% of snack categories have improved their on-shelf availability rates, certain categories have exhibited mixed results, according to Circana.
This “underscores the need for continuous monitoring and adaptation to meet consumer demand,” the company reports.
Flavor and taste as priorities stand apart from the crowd as consumer values, with 83% of consumers reporting that they choose snacks that have a flavor they prefer, Circana said. Despite economic constraints, consumers are remaining loyal to familiar products, emphasizing the need for incentivizing purchases and leveraging integrated marketing strategies to drive engagement, the snack report went on to state.
Retailers need to understand trends, “such as the increasing demand for indulgent offerings as a temporary escape from daily stressors, and the rise of snacking as a meal replacement due to busy lifestyles,” said Lyons Wyatt.
Better-for-you (BFY) snacks can assist with daily nutrition, and by leveraging the relevance of on-the-go convenience, brands “can effectively tailor their offerings to help consumers find the right balance and meet their evolving needs,” said Lyons Wyatt.
Speaking about BFY snacks, the pandemic lockdown saw people toggling back and forth between eating healthier (motivated by needing to bulk up immune systems during COVID) but also having a strong desire to indulge because many people were bored and isolated.
“As we went into 2024, a slight change occurred regarding how consumers engage with snacks—and healthy/BFY has stepped up in their eyes,” said Lyons Wyatt. “BFY is catching momentum, and it’s impeccable timing.”
There’s a potential link between BFY and DIY (do-it-yourself) snacking for at least one reason: When people prepare their own snacks from scratch, it often means integrating the healthier, non-processed or lower-processed ingredients that reside in their pantries.