Snacks are an integral part of our daily diet. It is not only a way to satisfy hunger, but also a way to provide the body with the necessary nutrients. Both children and adults enjoy them. That is why the snacks trade industry is one of the fastest growing on the food market. New trends in the wholesale snack trade introduce innovative ideas and directions that shape the future of this industry.
What phenomena can we encounter recently?
New trends in the wholesale trade of snacks
Wholesale trade in snacks is a dynamically developing industry that is subject to constant change. This is influenced by both economic and social factors. In recent years, several key trends have been observed on the snacks market, which have a significant impact on the functioning of both wholesalers and producers. On the one hand, they must adapt to new consumer preferences, and on the other hand, they must meet all formal conditions and ensure the competitiveness of their products.
Snacks have undergone quite an evolution in recent years. Many new products appeared on the market, which was related to both changing nutritional trends and the struggle of producers to create a competitive and distinctive offer. The change in consumer eating habits can be evidenced by the IPSOS study, conducted on behalf of the Biedronka retail chain. It shows that although consumers eat more and more food, they pay attention to its quality: they check the ingredients and try to avoid fat and sugar. These changes have had an impact on the snacks market, but it cannot be denied that despite new challenges, recent years have been beneficial for producers. The increase in the popularity of snacks was noticeable, for example, during the pandemic: concerns about product availability, the tendency to "snack at home" (sometimes resulting from "boredom"), later combined with concerns about inflation and increases in product prices, encouraged consumers to plan and make purchases. in larger quantities. According to estimates, the trend of including snacks in the daily diet is expected to continue in the coming months or even years.
So, what trends in the snacks trade may be important in the near future?
Healthy snacks and a conscious diet
With the growing health awareness of society, the demand for healthy snacks is growing. Customers are starting to avoid products high in sugar, salt and artificial additives. In the wholesale trade in snacks, one can notice an increase in the popularity of natural, low-calorie products, rich in fiber, vitamins and minerals. Such products are used not only in the everyday diet, but also in specialized diets, such as vegan, vegetarian or gluten-free.
In response to these needs, wholesalers offer an increasingly wider selection of healthy snacks, such as:
- nuts and seeds;
- dried fruits and vegetables;
- whole grain cereal products;
- dairy snacks;
- plant snacks.
The increased popularity of vegan and vegetarian snacks is already noticeable. More and more people give up meat or animal products, which causes an increase in demand for this type of products. Nevertheless, even people who regularly eat meat are increasingly reaching for healthy vegetable and fruit treats. Wholesalers offer a wide selection of vegan and vegetarian snacks, such as:
- vegetable chips;
- cereal bars with fruit and nuts;
- Hummus;
- falafels;
- tofu.
Experimental flavors and regional inspirations
Although consumers still often choose snacks such as chips, bread sticks and kabanos sausages, there is also a noticeable increase in interest in completely new products. The industry began to experiment with various flavors, combining traditional ingredients in ways that surprised the consumer. There are also snacks inspired by cuisines from various regions of the world. In the wholesale snacks trade you can find such gems as chips with Himalayan salt, nachos with guacamole and sesame sticks with oriental spices.
When it comes to consumer preferences, two trends can be noticed: on the one hand, they are interested in innovations, new flavors and flavor combinations, on the other hand, they willingly choose products they know, traditional flavors, often known to them from childhood. Due to the above, producers are introducing products to their offer that are a combination of traditional recipes with new flavors, which is clearly met with positive customer reception. It can therefore be expected that traditional snacks enriched with exotic flavors will increasingly appear in wholesale trade.
Gluten-free options
Due to the growing number of people suffering from food allergies, gluten-free and allergen-free products are becoming more and more popular. The snack trade industry is rapidly responding to these needs, offering an increasingly wide range of products adapted to various diets. In wholesale trade you can find snacks not only gluten-free, but also without nuts, soy, eggs or lactose. People with food intolerances used to have a big problem finding the right products for themselves, now producers have noticed their needs, which is met with positive reception and interest from consumers. It can be suspected that the offer of gluten-free snacks and those free from some allergens will only increase.
Sustainable packaging and ecology
In the era of growing ecological awareness, customers are increasingly paying attention to the packaging of food products. In the wholesale snack trade, there is a trend to introduce biodegradable, reusable packaging and packaging made of recycled materials. Companies focus on minimizing the negative impact on the environment, which becomes a key factor influencing the choice of products by wholesale customers.
Technological innovations and automation
The introduction of innovative technologies in the production of snacks is becoming a standard. Automation of production processes allows you to increase the efficiency and quality of products. These technologies include, among others: modern production lines, packaging machines, as well as quality control systems based on artificial intelligence. The impact of modern processes may improve the work of both producers, wholesalers and suppliers, and competition on the market may put pressure on entrepreneurs to invest in modern technological solutions.
Development of online trade
Online trade is one of the fastest growing sectors of the economy. More and more people do grocery shopping online, which causes an increase in demand for the services of online wholesalers. Wholesalers offer a wide selection of snacks that can be ordered online and picked up in the store or delivered to the indicated address. As statistics show, e-commerce (although it does not favor impulse purchases) showed a market growth of over 2 percentage points in 2019-2022, reaching almost 6% of snack sales globally.
The ability to present your offer online gives wholesalers a chance to acquire new customers, including foreign ones. Therefore, wholesalers who want to expand their customer base should create an efficient and intuitive online store with a wide selection of products, a transparent ordering system and a convenient form of payment.
Summary
New trends in the wholesale trade of snacks reflect the growing awareness of consumers about health, ecology and the variety of flavors. Producers are encouraged to invest in ecological packaging, develop healthy product lines adapted to various diets, and use modern technologies in the production process. The snack retail industry is dynamic and innovation-oriented, which makes the future of this sector seem promising.