Shoppers like trying new things. And they like to try them first. “Have you tried the new restaurant downtown?” “Have you tried that viral social media recipe for feta pasta?” The same holds true with snacking. Seeing the big, bolded “NEW” on the packaging stops snackers in their tracks and, from there, impulsivity takes over according to Circana’s 2023 Snacking Survey, 49% of consumers eat more than 3 snacks each day. This is up 4% compared to both 2021 and 2022.
As snackers continue to evolve and search for new (or new to them) products, flavors and packaging, grocers need to stay ahead of these snacking trends to get family-sized profits (and not just crumbs). Here are 3 snacking trends for grocers and c-stores to expect in 2025.
Snackers are Searching for Healthier Options
Snacks that are high in protein, plant-based or gluten-free are seeing rapid growth. And healthy snacking will continue to grow to reach an anticipated $152 billion by 2029. When browsing healthy snacks, it’s important for shoppers to be able to quickly read labels at a glance. Words like “grass-fed” on jerky or “organic” on a snack mix can help communicate a healthy snack quickly. And shoppers can’t get enough.
Plant-based snacks are growing in popularity compared to previous years. In fact, the global market for plant-based snacks is supposed to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 6.1% from 2020 to 2025. And according to Wifi Talents, the market for high-protein, plant-based snacks is projected to grow at an even higher rate: From plant-based treats to protein-packed delights, the snack-scape is ever-evolving, driven by health-conscious Millennials and a hunger for tasty innovation.
New, Bold Flavors Excite
Say yes to snacks with bold tastes including Korean, Indian and Mexican-inspired flavors. An overall trend for grocers in 2023 was the growing popularity of spicy and ethnic foods. This trend is witnessed in the snack aisle as well. Spicy flavors have become so popular that they made of nearly 15% of tracked new salty snack products in 2023, according to Euromonitor International.
Snacks Wherever you Are
Unfortunately, preschool may be the only phase in life that has a designated “snack time”. Many sweet and salty snacks are eaten during the in-between. In the car waiting to pick up the kids? Granola bar. Stuck in traffic? Candy. On your way to the gym after work? Trail mix. And of course, a mixed bag known as the school sack lunch. Cold snacks like cheese, nuts and berry packs are hot. Often healthier, these snacks can be saved for later while still being convenient.
Make sure your customers find what they didn’t know they were looking for by improving the display of single-serve snacks and treats with the SpaceGrid® II On-Bar system. With this system, stores can eliminate bag tears, improve product presentation and maximize packout with trays in 16”, 18” and 20” depths. Learn more about SpaceGrid II On-bar.