A new report from Datamonitor predicts a slowdown in UK spend on savoury snacks and confectionery over the next five years, presenting an opportunity for healthier items such as fresh produce.
The report found the combined UK spend for savoury snacks and confectionery was valued at £8.8 billion in 2005: up 11 per cent from 2000. But its authors forecast growth of just two per cent for the next five years.
“The fact that consumers no longer define snacks with such strong preference to chocolate, sweets and crisps is one factor shaping the future of the snack industry,” said report author Daniel Bone. “Traditional impulse categories are under increasing threat from new product formats…Another important factor is the demand for healthier or better-for-you snacks and beverages.”
Datamonitor found that 62 per cent of UK consumers seek food and drinks which are both convenient and healthy more often in the period from July 2005-July 2006.
“Although our report did not look at fruit and vegetables, it definitely shows that there are opportunities for these products as one of the things we learned from consumers is that they are more interested in healthier snacks,” said Bone.
The report also found that our snacking habits are formed in our youth, further emphasising the importance of introducing fresh produce to children as a healthy snack.
Datamonitor discovered that children aged six to 13 are among the most frequent snackers in the UK and are more likely to consume impulse snacks than older generations. “The busy schedules of today’s working parents also has a knock-on effect on children’s consumption creating a need for hold-me-over afternoon snacking to compensate for later evening mealtimes,” said Bone.
For further details on the report see www.datamonitor.com
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