Snac World - August 2016 - (Page 26)

CONVENIENCE STORE TRENDS Victory in Variety The range of consumers shopping at convenience stores is broadening and, to match that, so is the assortment of snacks and meal options. BY NICO ROESLER V ariety is king in the world of today's convenience stores, and snack food suppliers are working to keep up with the wide range of demands from consumers. While snack companies still see success in sales of traditional products - potato chips, pretzels, tortilla chips, popcorn, nuts, pork rinds and meat snacks - the alternative snack categories continue to see growth. According to Carl Lee, CEO, Snyder's-Lance, Charlotte NC, the need for variety is being driven by the widening variety of consumers shopping in convenience stores. "As a channel, convenience stores have traditionally been shopped by men primarily, but it's being widened every day and is catering to more and more consumers and their needs," Mr. Lee said. According to Nielsen research, over 52 weeks ending July 5, alternative snacks saw 3.8% dollar sales growth over the same period last year in convenience stores. That follows last year's incredible increase of 11.8% in sales. Meanwhile, traditional snacks like packaged sweets and salty snacks saw steady growth with a 4.3% increase dollar sales each. Candy and salty snacks continue to dominate with more than $12 billion in sales, according to Nielsen, while alternative snacks grew to $2.4 billion. Those figures illustrate Mr. Lee's emphasis on the continued 26 SNAC World August 2016 www.snacintl.org and increasingly important role convenience stores play in the snack world. For Snyder's-Lance, which introduced more than a half dozen new products this spring, launching innovative snack rollouts isn't something the company takes lightly. Everything from location to packaging and marketing are meticulously thought out because the convenience store is often a testing ground for new products. Joey Shevlin, corporate communications program manager, Snyder's-Lance, said consumers may see a new Snyder's-Lance variety of Pretzel Pieces that they've never had, buy them, try it, like it and then remember during their next grocery store trip to stock up on the item for home. The goal is to increase impulse purchases and the frequency of walking down the snack aisle. "It's an interesting way for us to introduce items and flavors and offerings to consumers who may not otherwise try them when they go into grocery stores," Mr. Shevlin explained. Mr. Lee said creating variety, both in flavors and types of food, is where companies are finding success. He said the better-for-you trend can be seen everywhere with c-stores now offering fresh fruit and vegetables as onthe-go offerings. According to Nielsen, 35% of c-store channel shoppers over the 52 weeks ending Dec. 26, http://www.snacintl.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Snac World - August 2016

Snac World - August 2016
Table of Contents
LETTER FROM SFA - SNAC International Leading the Way
GMO Free: Supplier’s Perspective
News - Reasons millennials find snacking fulfilling
Consumers willing to pay extra for quality ingredients
GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS - Policy Outlook
LEGISLATIVE SUMMIT - Legislative Summit Brings Industry’s Voice to DC
BUSINESS MEMBER PROFILE - B&G Foods
ASSOCIATE MEMBER PROFILE - Leading with Innovation
CONVENIENCE STORE TRENDS - Victory in Variety
NEW SNACKS
PRODUCTS & SERVICES

Snac World - August 2016