Driven by rising inflation, 43% of consumers today consider the price of salty snacks to be the most important attribute, compared to 37% in 2022, according to a new Mintel research report. When it comes to other salty snack attributes, flavor (40%) and brand familiarity (40%) remain important to consumers.
While the salty snack market continues to grow, it is feeling some effects from tightened budgets, Mintel research found. Those who report their financial situations as struggling/in trouble are most likely (34%) to have decreased year-over-year salty snack consumption. Among those who haven’t increased consumption, 37% would be motivated to purchase more salty snacks if there were more budget-friendly options.
“Budget constraints are challenging consumers across the board, and even though salty snacks are relatively affordable, they are not necessities,” Kelsey Olsen, Consumer Insights Analyst Food & Drink at Mintel said. “As consumers increase their snacking overall, brands will be challenged to find a mix of the familiarity and newness that consumers are seeking. Brands can meet these consumers with value options that offer them familiarities, like a box of Cheez-Its or a bag of Fritos, when the trial of new snacks may feel risky. “
Despite budgets being squeezed, Mintel research reported that the salty snack market continues to grow as consumers increasingly reach for a range of options. Over a quarter of consumers (27%) report increased consumption of salty snacks compared to last year, led by Millennials (47%), parents (46%), and those who are employed and work from home at least some of the time (42%).
What Consumers Consider When Buying Snacks
- 43% of US consumers say the price is the most important attribute of a salty snack compared to 37% in 2022.
- 40% of US consumers say flavor and brand familiarity remain the most important attributes in a salty snack
- 67% of US consumers choose snacks while relaxing and to satisfy a craving
- 38% of Gen Z and 39% of Millennials choose snacks to relieve boredom, and 34% of Millennials choose snacks to relieve stress.
Consumers say they have increased consumption in the last year across all salty snack segments, with top growth seen across the popular cheese-flavored snacks (+6%), microwavable popcorn (+7%), and corn snacks (+8%) sectors, as well as the less mainstream snacks segment, including chips/puffs made from vegetables, beans, or ancient grains (+7%), suggesting that consumers are reaching for a mix of familiar and exciting.
“Retailers also have a prime opportunity to provide value in their private-label salty snack offerings while showcasing that private brands can deliver on flavor and innovation. Winning brands will need a crave-worthy flavor experience at the forefront, with a foundation of comfort,” Olsen added.
Salty Snacks Are Meeting Emotional Needs
Mintel research reveals that salty snacks are meeting more specific emotional needs for consumers, as over two-thirds choose snacks for relaxing and to satisfy a craving (67% respectively), outpacing hunger as a motivator (58%).
For younger generations, the emotional appeal is even more defined – and it’s on the rise. Two in five Millennials (39%) choose snacks to relieve boredom – a nearly 10 percentage point increase (30%) since 2018. What’s more, a third of Millennials (34%) choose snacks to relieve stress today, compared to 24% of Millennials five years ago.
“As consumers continue to navigate stressful and evolving times, salty snacks can be there to help them slow down and even relieve stress. Salty snacks are winning in their ability to satisfy cravings and meet emotional needs, expanding their role beyond a quick hunger-satisfying solution. They must be versatile in their ability to meet different occasions, but at the base, they must simply bring consumers joy. Brands must continue to help consumers make positive associations with snacks to further encourage permissibility on different occasions as well as facilitate an experience that meets more emotional needs like a snack positioned for self-care,” concluded Olsen.