Snack World - May 2016 - (Page 16)

STATE OF THE INDUSTRY REPORT produce or dairy departments where they serve as a supporting role to the main meal occasion. "When I walk through a grocery store, the snack category is no longer restricted to the traditional potato chip, pretzel and tortilla chip aisle," Mr. Dempsey said. "You have snacking items in almost every aisle that someone could use to satisfy a craving. Most companies are expanding their portfolios to take advantage of the widening snacking occasions that Americans are enjoying." When dealing with customers, snack manufacturers need to be ready for lights, cameras, action. Retailers are constantly searching for new products - whether branded or not - to provide a little theatrical flair to the industry's impulse-driven categories. "There is still retail consolidation, and there are retailers looking for a point of differentiation, especially with their own private label brands," Mr. Dempsey said. "There is a strong movement toward high-quality private label with a differentiated price point." In several ways, the robust innovation by several brand new businesses - or incubators, as they are often called - reminds Mr. Dempsey of the golden era when many now-established snack categories were born. The only difference today is many of these current "incubators" are partnering with established co-manufacturers and private label producers to get their new ideas to a wider market. Back in the old days, snack companies rolling out the first potato chips did it on their own, producing them for a local market, and more often than not, initially selling them to their neighbors or through a family grocery store until they gained popularity. "The exciting thing about the snack industry today is that it's almost like it was 40 or 50 years ago," Mr. Dempsey observed. "There are a lot of new companies with new ideas on what constitutes snacking and new products that are changing the way people think about the snacking occasion. They may be traditional manufacturers or they may be manufacturing products that are sold through these 'incubator' companies. The number and breadth of new products are just going to continue to grow every year." That's especially prevalent in the breakfast or morning eating occasion where snacking was historically underserved and now provides a new opportunity for growth. In collaboration with SNAC International, IRI provided new insights during a re- Kudos to the Cast If there's one thing every snack manufacturer knows, change is constant. This involves creating a culture where everyone's operations are evolving. Consumer trends are shifting, and retailers want new, innovative products and packaging that are increasingly more relevant to multiple eating occasions throughout the day. It's an industry initiative. During the past year, your association has worked tirelessly to rebrand the organization under the SNAC International name to respond to today's market and embrace snacking, nutrition and FRQYHQLHQFHWKDWUHÁHFWWKHFRUH 16 Snack World May 2016 www.sfa.org of its membership. As SNAC International President & CEO Tom Dempsey has said so often in the past, "We need to expand the umbrella and bring those new entries into the portable snack industry and make them feel welcome as part of our association." The stage is set. Snack World would like to thank contributing editor Beth Day for her in-depth reporting, insightful observations and providing a perspective of the snack industry as it continues on an evolutionary journey to bring more businesses into the fold. Her written articles on the snack categories were a monumental task supported by additional reporting by the Snack World editorial staff to provide you with the most extensive coverage of this year's main event. A special thanks to SNAC International business members who provided the perspective in this annual report. And let's not forget our sponsors and supporters of Snack World and SNAC International. Finally, thanks to the SNAC International team who provide DVFLHQWLÀFDOO\VRXQGORXG voice for all the issues that are important to everyone in this great, growing and indispensable association. http://www.sfa.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Snack World - May 2016

Snack World - May 2016
Table of Contents
LETTER FROM SNAC INTERNATIONAL - SNAC International is Indispensable
NEWS - New SNAC International name recognizes evolving industry
SUPPLIER INSIGHT - Networking Is Key
2016 STATE OF THE INDUSTRY REPORT - At Front and Center Stage
Kudos to the Cast
Indulge and Excite
Maximizing Health, Innovating Style
Delivering on Innovation
Healthy Halo, Devilishly Delicous
Healthy Versatility
Flavor Innovation Going Nuts
The Cheese Alternative
Gone Gourmet
Flaming Hot, Protein-Packed
The Skinny on Popcorn
Keep it Fresh
BUSINESS MEMBER PROFILE - Innovation, New Ventures Continue
ASSOCIATE MEMBER PROFILE - Flexible to the Core
CHAIRMAN PROFILE - New Logo, New Leadership
SNAXPO - Staying Ahead of the Game
PRODUCTS & SERVICES
AD INDEX

Snack World - May 2016