A recent report illustrates a strong trend towards a snack-based lifestyle that prioritises wellbeing for both humans and the planet.
According to the ‘Snack it Good’ report released by YouGov and Fancy Plants, 49% of the Australians surveyed snacked more during lockdown last year. It also finds that because of the pandemic, 50% of respondents began eating healthier to boost immunity, with 56% seeking out food and snacks with added nutrition.
Backing this up, Woods Foods founder and owner Angus Woods tells Convenience World that better-for-you snacking has continued to drive true innovation in the snacks category, delivering more wholesome and nutritious bites for consumers.
“Especially during Covid and lockdowns, consumers have turned their focus onto their own health and wellness, more aware of their food selection and dietary intake,” he says.
“They want to enjoy the best of both worlds, snacking wherever and whenever they want without the guilt, and seeking nutrient dense snacks, such as [those that are] high protein and fibre, and lower in fat, to improve their wellbeing.”
Mr Woods advises retailers: “Review [your] snacks portfolio mix to ensure having a good representation of better-for-you snacks across different snacking formats. Elevate [these] lines on shelf with adequate space to assist consumer navigation in-store.”
With a wide range of ‘healthier’ products in the market, Mr Woods says the challenge for store buyers is to “have the knowledge to sift through the sea of products, identifying the ‘real McCoy’ versus the ‘not-so-healthy’ lines”.
“More category education is needed to empower stores for making the right ranging choices,” he says.
The ideal snack for Australians, however, goes beyond just being ‘good for me’, finds the ‘Snack it Good’ report. This market is said to be also looking for options that help the planet thrive. A “typical Aussie” is said to think about the wellbeing of the planet 2.3 times a week, according to the report, and eating plant-based is a common way people help.
On the sentiment of helping the planet, Mr Woods says: “Transparency and sustainability are important for [consumers], in return for their trust and loyalty, ultimately their repeat purchase.”
In further snacking trends, Mr Woods says consumers are seeking more Australian grown, made and owned products.
“They want to know where their food comes from, the story behind the brand and to support local businesses,” he says.
Despite the importance of the trends mentioned, Mr Woods says he believes taste is still the number one factor when it comes to the purchase decision.
“While consumers look for their familiar favourites, they still expect to see new and different flavours and offerings to satisfy their cravings and to expand their taste palates,” he says. “This is where product renovation kicks in, with limited edition lines or international flavours to simulate growth.”
Mr Woods says retailers should “embrace new and different innovation to stimulate consumer interest and drive incremental sales”. This, he adds, will assist in differentiating them from their competitors, among shoppers.
Read about what brands are getting up to in the snacks category in the September/October issue of Convenience World.
