Expanding snack consideration sets and healthier snacking are likely driving this increase, according to new report from Technomic
CHICAGO, April 5, 2018: Canadian consumers are snacking between meals slightly more often now than in 2016, continuing an upward trend seen over the last five years, according to Technomic’s 2018 Canadian Snacking Occasion Consumer Trend Report. Additionally, consumers’ snack consideration sets are evolving to include a wider variety of foods and beverages.
While consumers are primarily snacking to fight off hunger, other common snacking triggers include boredom and mindless eating. Time constraints and the desire for convenience also result in more than a third of consumers replacing at least one meal a day with snacks. This wide range of drivers means snacking occasions are and will continue to be somewhat unpredictable.
“Data points to greater opportunity to drive incremental sales through snacking occasions. As snacking becomes more common, health will play a larger role. Offering and promoting better-for-you attributes that resonate with consumers, such as ‘high protein’ and ‘high fibre’ will be vital in helping foodservice steal share of snacking occasions from retailers,” says Anne Mills, senior manager of consumer insights at Technomic.
Key takeaways from the report include:
- 55% of consumers snack between meals at least twice per day
- 36% of consumers say they are more likely than usual to snack when they are feeling stressed
- 66% of consumers say they purchase snacks from coffee cafes at least once every 90 days
Compiling findings from more than 1,000 consumer responses, as well as menu and industry data from the Ignite database, the comprehensive 2018 Canadian Snacking Occasion Consumer Trend Report serves as a guide for foodservice operators and suppliers to help them better understand how consumer usage and attitudes toward snacking are evolving and to identify key areas of opportunity.
Technomic publishes a complete library of Consumer Trend Reports. To learn more, please visit Technomic.com or contact one of the individuals listed below.
Contacts:
Press inquiries and report details: Kelly Weikel, (312) 506-3830, kweikel@technomic.com
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