The UK will publish an extensive report on the role of carbohydrates in the diet next year, presenting opportunities for bread makers to fight back against carb-bashing, says the Federation of Bakers (FOB).
Antioxidant-rich cereals, protein-packed snack bars and bread tailored to women’s nutritional needs were just some of the product innovations identified by Datamonitor Consumer during 2014.
Graze underestimated the level of localization needed with snacks for the US market but will evolve its portfolio rapidly in the coming months, its CEO says.
Gluten-free microwaveable muffins plug a market gap where major food firms are slow to innovate, claims a start-up looking to upscale its muffin pot concept.
Three major white bread brands have made it into the UK’s top 20 best-selling food and beverage list, according to IRI data, but every single one has seen sales plummet.
Ingredients suppliers should target India’s sweet and savory snacks sector because it’s untapped and brimming with potential, says Euromonitor International.
Snyder’s-Lance is using radio rather than TV for its latest Lance Snacks marketing campaign to target consumers effectively – while on the go, the senior brand director says.
United Biscuits will take its core savory snack lines on a UK depot tour to engage with retailers on how best to stock and display products in impulse channels.
Graze realizes subscription snacking opportunities stretch far beyond its desk-friendly concept and is taking a leap into sharing with big box varieties, its CEO says.
KP Snacks has big growth plans under the Intersnack umbrella with Christmas NPD investment and a push in healthy snacking, says its branded sales head.
Kellogg and J.M. Smucker have topped the consumer likeability charts in the US with Eggo waffles and Pillsbury bread mix – indicating a love of carbs, according to insights specialist Instant.ly.
The demand for hot cereals like porridge has continued to experience a dramatic resurgence and will continue an upward trajectory for the next four years, according to a Key Note report.
DIGGING INTO INNOVATION AND NPD WITH DATAMONITOR CONSUMER
Cereal pots appeal to consumers seeking faster, easier ways of eating breakfast, but manufacturers must go beyond simple, on-the-go pot packaging, says Datamonitor Consumer.
Premier Foods has put £10m ($16m) behind a multi-media promotional Mr Kipling campaign, just months after committing £20m ($32m) for a snack pack production line.
‘Thins’ have taken off in the US and Canada with bread, bagel and even tortilla varieties offering less calories for the health-conscious consumer, and it’s an area that holds great promise for Europe, says Mintel.
Younger consumers are reaching for snacks to accompany and round out meals, and the better-for-you category is set to benefit most, finds The NPD Group.
Deli breakfasts have boomed in the US as consumers seek faster, fresher alternatives to traditional ready-to-eat (RTE) cereal category, according to Nielsen.
China will become the world’s second most valuable bakery and cereals market by 2018, and understanding lifestyles will be key to capitalizing on this growth, says Canadean.
Packaged, eat-at-home breakfasts remain the US favorite, but as restaurant competition rises manufacturers must make options easier and quicker, Datassential says.
The number of UK consumers baking at home fell by 8% this year – a drop likely sparked by fears around sugar but one that could be remedied with stevia, says a Mintel analyst.
Cereal makers should consider moving NPD away from the breakfast table and introducing milk-free snack bags to be eaten like crisps, according to Canadean.
Instant hot cereal is rising in Russia as urban consumers seek healthy, convenient options, but beware - indulgence remains top of mind, says an analyst from Canadean.
Dispatches from IFT 2014: 8-minute insight from Mintel innovation directors
The global breakfast cereal market faces increasing competition as consumers turn to convenient alternatives, so how can manufacturers step up to compete and stimulate often dwindling sales?
Liquid snacking is a healthy, convenient alternative to snack bars – a segment many consumers are bored of, according to the co-founder of NUWI Quinoa Snacks; a drinkable snack.
Picking through ideas with Saatchi & Saatchi X on shopper behavior: Part II
Snacks have the power to drive positive emotional shopping behavior, but too much focus on health and a lack of in-store innovation could kill the joy factor, says the VP of shopper psychology at Saatchi & Saatchi X.
Australian retail major Coles misled consumers with false claims that its bakery products were ‘freshly baked’ in store when they were par-baked, the Federal Court of Australia has ruled.
Breakfast biscuit makers should reduce sugar and calorie content and develop healthier variants if they want to secure continued growth, says Euromonitor International.
Pecan Deluxe Candy (Europe) has invested in a €300,000 Yamato multihead check weigher, which can operate up to 100 bags per minute, to meet increasing demand for inclusions in products such as ice cream, desserts, cookies and donuts.
Merchandizing gaps in convenience stores need to be plugged and snack makers must collaborate to drive progress forward, says the category development head at General Mills Convenience as it launches Nature Valley c-store tailored products.
UK food firms must seize the huge business opportunity afforded by the underdeveloped morning snacking market, as chains such as McDonald’s, KFC, Costa and Starbucks lead the way, according to Conlumino.
Granola has boomed in Japan because of its health promise and versatility and Western cereal firms could cash in further by playing up the trendy aspect, says a Datamonitor Consumer analyst.
DIGGING INTO INNOVATION AND NPD WITH DATAMONITOR CONSUMER
The Federation of Bakers has designed ‘breakfast boots’ to hold toast as part of an on-going campaign to promote bread as part of a healthy, balanced diet, its director says.
The future of snacks will be positioning them as part of a 'meal bridge' solution that hits on convenience, value, taste and health, says the marketing head at Snyder’s-Lance.
Snacks and confectionery have truly blurred from a product perspective and retail slant, says the president of the National Confectioners Association (NCA).
Popcorn has exploded and thins have sliced into action in snacking – both riding on the wave of being indulgent with a healthy slant, according to Euromonitor International.
Craft snack brands will lead innovation because of their fresh take on an old market, and balancing health and indulgence will be top of the agenda, says Innova Market Insights.
The ‘right’ type of snack can improve diet quality in children under the age of 11, according to researchers looking into how snack and meal frequencies affect total energy intake and diet quality.
![Lance Snacks senior brand director: 'Radio is the perfect fit because it hits [consumers] at a time where they’re looking for something to snack on'](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/5/1/8/8/1358815-1-eng-GB/Lance-Snacks-radio-campaign.jpg)
![The breakfast biscuits sector needs healthy innovation to secure future growth, says Euromonitor International. BelVita [pictured] kickstarted the market.](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/7/8/4/9/1789487-1-eng-GB/Euromonitor-Breakfast-biscuits-threatened-by-health-concerns.png)
