Research from the Australian Bureau of Statistics last year showed that more than 40 per cent of employees across the country were working from home, and the proportion is set to grow, with the trend impacting the snacks category.
It’s no surprise that Covid’s footprint on the convenience and snacks categories is still prominent and that there’s a noticeable change in consumer wants. Ampol General Manager Merchandise Skye Jackson notes that since the pandemic began, pack sizes of snacks sold have changed significantly.
“Our customers have been seeking larger pack sizes post-Covid, with people working from home either sharing or saving for later,” she said.
“Consumers continue to leverage delivery platforms, a behaviour adopted during Covid-19 lockdowns. Ampol has achieved record sales through Uber Eats in the months since lockdowns ended, showing how embedded the behaviour has become.”
We’ve seen through social media alone over the past two years the rise of the grazing platter, which has changed the snacking game altogether, coinciding with the rise in share sizes.
National Sales and Marketing Manager at Continental Taralli Biscuits Sonia Bruno points to the great value its consumers see in healthier, locally made snack options, including grazing platters.
“Consumers are looking for unique flavours and vegan options and are looking to support more and more locally made products from local suppliers,” she said.
“Consumers are loving the connection they have with Australian bush foods and flavours and pairing them with dips, grazing platters or simply snacking on sweet sticks.”
Ms Jackson says the trends in snacks towards products perceived as being healthier, and vegan/vegetarian or no sugar offerings, show no sign of slowing.
“Better-for-you snacking has experienced significant growth, with products such as vegetable-based snacks adding incremental sales to the category,” Ms Jackson said, discussing current trends that Ampol has noted.
“Chilled snacking, including products such as cheese and biscuit snacks, is also gaining momentum and the range of products in this sub-segment is expanding. Jerky products have seen good growth, with more range available for consumers.”
Ms Bruno also acknowledges the rising influence of the health trend on snack shelf ranges.
“Consumers are always looking for healthier alternative snacks with unique flavours,” she said. “Products that are low in sugar, GMO free, cholesterol free, lactose free, preservative, dairy free options are very popular among our Mediterranean savoury cracker – Tarallini – varieties.”
Read more on snacks in the September issue of Convenience World.
