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stocking ‘better for you’ desserts was an essential requirement for its outlets, to which it responded: “OTR’s commitment is to constantly review our dessert offer in line with consumer trends and market research.” It’s getting ‘better for you’ at 7-Eleven According to 7-Eleven Australia General Manager Customer Experience Julie Laycock, the trend towards healthier options will continue to grow. “\\\[This\\\] is why it’s a strategic focus in our food offer,” she said. “People will still want to treat themselves to a muffin, Krispy Kreme Doughnut or a chocolate bar from time to time, but having healthier options means you can meet customers’ needs more often.” Ms Laycock says the health trend makes it important for all categories to be covered when it comes to offering ‘better for you’ products. “In recent years, we’ve added 7-Eleven protein bars, nut packs, salads and a range of plant-based alternatives to our offer, in addition to sushi, which we’ve had as part of our range for some time.” 7-Eleven is catering to the more health conscious consumer by introducing some “traditional sweet treats” in different portion sizes, Ms Laycock says. “In addition to our fresh fruit, yoghurts and the 7-Eleven Muesli Slice ... new Krispy Kreme Glazed Bites are smaller portions in a share pack, perfect for sharing a little indulgence,” she said. Going with the FroPro flow Earlier this year, Convenience World featured an item on its website about FroPro introducing its “96 per cent sugar-free” ice creams into Caltex (now in transition to Ampol) stores. The inspiration for this move came from FroPro owner and founder Ed Donoghue’s own experience: loving ice cream but not wanting to go overboard on sugar. “Essentially, I love ice cream, but having been a professional athlete, I wanted to have my treat with less downside and some functionality,” he said. “Since our FroPro Singles have launched in Caltex, we’ve seen a big impact in sales. Caltex has even taken to creating ‘Treat yourself better’ menu boards for the impulse freezer, headlined by FroPro Singles. “We’re very motivated to add range and options to the P&C market and satisfy the ever-growing desire for permissible indulgence on the go.” FroPro takes pride in offering “a better alternative” for desserts, with “fewer calories”. It addresses what it sees as a gap in the market for healthy options in the dessert section of a convenience store. “We’ve seen nearly every segment of the P&C channel challenged and improved by ‘better for you’ options, from confectionery being displaced by protein bars to traditional soft drinks replaced with kombucha and sugar- free soda options,” Mr Donoghue said, adding that in the sweet freezer area, indulgence has “ruled” – “until now”. He feels confident that frozen desserts is the next category that will be taking a ‘better for you’ hit in the convenience space. “The lost dollars from lapsed customers choosing healthier options in other categories are an opportunity to be won with healthy choices that also deliver comparable indulgence,” he said. “Let’s face it, we only go to the ice cream section for some deliciousness, but if that’s better for you, then \\\[it’s a\\\] huge bonus.” The scream for ‘better’ ice cream Denada, which promotes its ice cream range being more than 99 per cent sugar free, fully supports the idea of the dessert section in P&C being upgraded to incorporate healthier options. “We think the convenience market is screaming out for more choice when it comes to better for you treats,” Denada co-founder and Marketing Director Sophie Lawrence said. “From our servo observations, there’s a few protein bars for the fitness crowd, some not-so-healthy nutty things for dieters, and a couple of ‘healthy’ looking options for kids. But there’s a serious lack of actually better for you couch food and low-sugar treats for adults in general.” Ms Lawrence adds that sometimes concerns are expressed that the healthier option won’t taste as good, which she says is where Denada comes into it. “Denada was started from the realisation that people should be consuming less sugar, but also that everyone deserves dessert,” she said “The inventor of our products (co- founder Charlotte Haygarth) was a pastry chef who discovered health benefits in going sugar free, but she found it really hard to find sweet treats up to her pastry chef standard.” Ms Lawrence says the team launched the range on the market within four months of its creation, since when consumer feedback has been very positive. “We regularly get called a game changer,” she said, “and the products sell so well at a national scale, even as a new, premium priced product with little brand awareness.” On the topic of health trends and how long they will influence convenience dessert and snack options, Ms Lawrence said: “I’d hope that health in general isn’t a trend, but more of a normal consideration in day-to-day life. “What Denada wants to capitalise on is people understanding more about the food they’re putting into their bodies, then choosing to eat good, nutrient- dense, low-sugar foods more often. Mindful consumption that contributes to better overall health, long term – that’s the hot trend to jump on.” Among all health brands, and even convenience stores, consensus is apparent that the health trend won’t disappear any time soon. Therefore, it’s crucial, even in the freezer aisle or dessert section of the convenience store, that products are being stocked to cater for the ever-rising number of shoppers demanding healthier choices, even among the indulgent offerings. HEALTHY OPTIONS SEP/OCT, 2020 CONVENIENCE WORLD 45