Consumers Shift Snacking Habits

CHICAGOA new study from market researcher Technomic revealed 76 percent of consumers have changed their snacking habits over the past two years. More than 50 percent of consumers snack at least once a day; 21 percent snack more frequently now; and 35 percent choose healthier options than they did two years ago.

The "Snacking Occasion Consumer Trend Report" examines snacking behavior, purchase decisions, attitudes and preferences away and at home; at retail establishments and at restaurants; and by consumer demographic.

Some trends and venues examined in report include bar snacks and happy-hour menus; ethnic-inspired upscale food trucks; healthy and fresh; bundling snacks into combo meals; afternoon menus; and beverages as snacks. Report appendices feature detailed profiles of 20 innovative and emerging snack concepts, and snack purchase demographic profiles for more than 30 leading limited-service restaurants.

Growing snack consumption and the consumers broadening perception of what constitutes a snack are changing how operators and manufacturers should position this category, said Darren Tristano, EVP at Technomic. The greatest opportunities likely exist for packaged snacks and prepared offerings at retail locations and limited-service restaurants, although many full-service concepts seem to have room to market snacks as well.