SNAC World - Official State of the Industry 2020 - 24

SNACK MIXES

STATE OF THE INDUSTRY

Functional and

HEALTHY

Snack mixes usua
usually do well with consumers because
functional ingredients with healthy attrithey consist of fun
seeds and dried fruits. As with the seed
butes like nuts, see
mixes are aligned with on-the-go snackcategory, snack m
minimized by several months of stay-ating which was min
m
home restrictions during the pandemic.
"Nutritional snack and trail mixes have not done well
during COVID-19 due to challenged supply and stayat-home restrictions," said Sally Lyons Wyatt, executive
vice president and practice leader, Client Insights, IRI.
"The category had growth in
2019, but COVID has instilled
declines."
Overall, the snack mix category
showed some growth with a 3.8%
increase in dollar sales for the 52
weeks ending June 14, 2020, according to IRI's quarterly report of
US retail sales. Some brands fared
well, including Camden, NJ-based
Campbell Snacks' Emerald brand
which grew by 26.7%.
The continued appeal of healthier
snacking could be an opportunity
for snack mixes because they
deliver on functional claims such
as plant-based protein and fiber.

TOP

"Vitamins and minerals added to snacks will be a consideration as immunity moves center stage," said Tom
Vierhile, vice president, strategic insights, North America,
Innova Market Insights.
Snack clusters are trending and could potentially boost
mixes since they cross categories. Innovation with clusters within the snack mix category might prove beneficial.
"Cereal companies might consider more cereal snack
mixes or clusters with functional ingredients like nuts,
dried fruits and grains, which add a health halo in order to
accommodate needs for different age groups," said Kara
Nielsen, director, Food & Drink, WGSN, a global trend
forecasting company.
Tapping into texture can energize existing products.
Consumer demand for something new and different may
return to pre-COVID levels once lives resume. Innova
Market Insights identified texture as a top consumer trend
for 2020 via its "Tapping into Texture" report.
"Nut clusters can blur the snack mix and nuts and
seeds categories, but overall texture innovation can help
with snack mixes," Mr. Vierhile said.
Emphasizing health attributes, value and product appeal for multiple snack occasions and preferences are
good strategiesto ensure the appeal for consumers.
"Manufacturers need to work with retailers to find a
win-win across suggested strategies for future growth,"
Ms. Lyons Wyatt said.

SNACK MIX BRANDS
Volume
Sales

%
Change

Unit Sales

($mil)

(mil)

%
Change

Total Nutritional Snacks/Trail Mixes

$960.5

3.8%

215.1

-2.0%

191.0

5.8%

Private Label

$565.6

6.5%

114.9

6.8%

123.9

7.1%

Kars Sweet N Salty Mix

$39.7

7.7%

6.4

-1.8%

14.1

8.3%

Second Nature

$24.2

3.9%

4.2

-1.2%

3.5

2.9%

Orchard Valley Harvest

$21.7

-23.2%

4.9

-38.5%

2.0

-18.4%

Planters Nutrition

$21.0

13.0%

6.5

17.2%

2.2

16.0%

BRAND

Dollar Sales

(mil lb)

Source: IRI
Total US Multi-outlet | 52 Weeks Ending 06-14-20 | Note: Many companies may have multiple brand listings in the IRI data.

SNAC WORLD 2020

%
Change

SNAC World - Official State of the Industry 2020

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