ATTRIBUTES THAT ATTRACT CONSUMER SPENDING
Consumers pay more attention to product attributes today than ever before — they want to enjoy food and the experience of eating. And bakery is no exception. Consumers care what’s in products and how those ingredients will affect their health and wellness goals.
Functional ingredients have become more common in grocery aisles, with value-added ingredients providing benefits that support overall health. Ingredients that inspire consumers to enjoy food and beverages they want while feeling good about putting them in their bodies have earned consumer loyalty. For example, products that will help ward off and/or manage chronic issues and improve heart health or digestion have garnered a lot of attention and report substantial growth.
And while consumers want certain ingredients in, there are many they want out! “Free-from” foods that do not contain gluten, lactose or dairy, for example, are in favor, as are lower-sugar items and/or products sweetened with natural sources of sweetener, such as honey, agave or stevia.
High-protein items, too, have spurred consumers to spend, as well as innovative products that inspire with new, alternative ingredients — kombucha! Consumers also want more of what they value across their diets — whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and fiber. And all of this has to fit into the “snackification” trend where consumers eat on the go and seek portable products that still offer great value through taste, function and nutritional impact.