Snacking is a longstanding behaviour among Canadians, yet it faces challenges as many consumers report snacking less frequently due to health and weight-related concerns. Addressing these issues without sacrificing the…
Canada
Snacks
simple
Canada Snacking Habits: Motivations and Attitudes Consumer Report 2024
"Diversifying frozen breakfast's relevance by building on its inherent convenience can help inspire versatile experiences and craft a more robust category identity."
Joel Gregoire, Associate Director of Food & Drink Reports
Snacking is a longstanding behaviour among Canadians, yet it faces challenges as many consumers report snacking less frequently due to health and weight-related concerns. Addressing these issues without sacrificing the enjoyment and fun of snacking is crucial given the importance of satisfying cravings and indulgence.
The snacking landscape is diverse, with varying demands across different times of the day and among demographic groups. This diversity allows for a wide range of products and categories to meet specific needs. Despite established habits, snacking is well-positioned to introduce consumers to new flavours and experiences, making it more than a routine activity.
Younger generations, particularly Gen Zs entering parenthood, represent a notable opportunity for snacking as an industry. Tailoring snacking options to support newer parents in maintaining their snacking habits while offering them peace of mind in terms of what they feed their kids represents an avenue for growth. By addressing health concerns and aligning with consumers’ evolving preferences, snacking can be positioned for success in the near and long term.
This report looks at the following areas:
Usage by category, frequency and perceived shifts in usage
Reasons for using snacks more and less often
Reasons for snacking by daypart
Attitudes toward wellbeing and exploration with respect to snacking
Attitudes toward eating and shopping habits around snacking
Snacking remains a deeply entrenched behaviour, yet the occasion needs to address persistent concerns around health and wellbeing to support growth.
Joel Gregoire, Associate Director of Food & Drink Reports
Market Definitions
This report covers motivations and attitudes related to snacking. Snacks include (but are not limited to) both salty and sweet CPG products, fresh snacks like yogurt and cheese, and produce.
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Executive summary
What you need to know
Consumer trends: key takeaways
Snacking predictions
Opportunities
Consumer Insights
Consumer fast facts
Snacking by category
Top snack foods reflect the breadth and complexity of snacking
Graph 1: categories snacked on in the past month, 2024
Older consumers gravitate to the most commonly eaten snack categories
Graph 2: categories snacked on in the past month, by generation, 2024
Women reach for most snacks more often, which highlights opportunity to win over more men
Graph 3: categories snacked on in the past month, men vs women, 2024
New Canadians represent an opportunity to grow snacking across categories
Graph 4: categories snacked on in the past month, new Canadians vs overall, 2024
Quebecers are less likely to reach for most snacks
Graph 5: categories snacked on in the past month, by region, 2024
Snacking frequency
Snacking is a daily habit for most consumers
Graph 6: snacking frequency, 2024
Canada is less likely to have a culture of frequent snacking (versus the US)
Graph 7: snacking frequency, 2024
Younger generations snack more frequently, indicating they should be a focus for growth
Graph 8: snacking frequency, by generation, 2024
Snacking’s ease and accessibility cater to moms
Graph 9: snacking frequency, moms vs dads, 2024
Working from home remains an opportunity for snacking
Graph 10: snack three or more times a day, by work location, 2024
Snack kits make for good mini-meals throughout the day
Change in snacking behaviours
Snacking’s growth is (relatively) stagnant, making avenues for growth all the more important
Graph 11: change in snacking frequency versus last year, 2024
Gen Zs are central to snacking’s growth
Graph 12: change in snacking frequency versus last year, by generation, 2024
New Canadians are a bright spot for snacking’s prospects
Graph 13: change in snacking frequency versus last year, new Canadians vs overall, 2024
Shifting work arrangements benefit snacking’s growth
Graph 14: change in snacking frequency versus last year, by work location, 2024
Moms represent a growth opportunity in Canada’s snack market
Graph 15: change in snacking frequency versus last year, moms vs dads vs overall, 2024
Reasons for snacking less
Snacks need to shift the conversation on health
Graph 16: reasons for snacking less, 2024
Blur the line between snacks and meals to connect with Gen Zs
Graph 17: reasons for snacking less, by generation, 2024
Reasons for snacking more
Ease and meal replacement drives growth in snacking
Graph 18: reasons for snacking more, 2024
Engage moms with practical solutions, excite dads with innovative offerings
Graph 19: reasons for snacking more, moms vs dads, 2024
Tap into the dad market by offering snacks that balance tradition and innovation
Reasons for choosing snacks by daypart
Don’t discount the power of enjoyment in snacking
Graph 20: considerations that matter when snacking – NET, April 2024
Snack products that address cravings in a (relatively) healthy way
Align snack offerings with evolving daily needs
Graph 21: considerations that matter when snacking by daypart, 2024
Meet evolving needs throughout the day
Snacks that can hit the mark at different dayparts
Attitudes toward snack occasions
Addressing evolving snack needs throughout the day can bolster relevance
Recognize snacking needs evolve throughout the day to bolster relevance
Graph 22: attitudes toward snack occasions, 2024
Shifting generational values around flexibility extend to snacking
Planning ahead: the role of bulk snacks for savvy snackers
Graph 36: attitudes toward shopping habits and snacking, 2024
Promote practicality in getting bulk foods/snacks on consumers’ shopping lists
Bulk options resonate most with those with older kids
Graph 37: buying snacks in bulk is a good way to save (any agree), age of children in household, 2024
Millennials and Gen Xers are more likely to gravitate to bulk snacks
Graph 38: buying snacks in bulk is a good way to save (any agree), by generation, 2024
Competitive strategies
Launch activity and innovation
Flavour trends suggest multiple pathways for innovation in North America
Novel flavours in action
Fun spins on fruit take hold
Look beyond typical snack flavours for inspiration
Asian flavours make their mark on salty snacks
Flavour and format innovations from iconic snack brands offer platforms for discovery
The benefits of modern snacks: balancing body and mind
Address concerns around health and snacking with emerging benefits
Graph 39: benefits of interest in healthy/better-for-you foods, 2023
‘Functional’ snacks can be targeted toward specific instances
Don’t discount sustainability’s role in supporting relevance
Graph 40: environmental issues of concern with regard to food and drink from stores, 2022
Drive consumer engagement with sustainability initiatives
Nestlé invests in a sustainable chocolate line aimed at travellers
Wild about protein
Marketing and advertising
Think outside of the bag
Brand partnerships bolster excitement
Pringles and crocs release a new fashion-flavour fusion
Positioning around Canadian-made holds sway with consumers
Graph 41: what matters when food and drink shopping, 2023
Building community through flavour: how Canadian ingredients enhance products and foster local support
Strike a balance between global inspiration and Canadian ingredients
‘Retro cool’: connect with young consumers through nostalgia
Opportunities
How concerned should snack companies be about GLP-1 agonists?
Vital Pursuit by Nestle: pioneering solutions for weight management and GLP-1 users
GLP-1 medications drive demand for smaller-portioned, nutrient-dense snacks
AI represents an opportunity to expose shoppers to snacks they might not otherwise consider
Leverage AI for trend-responsive snacks
What’s next for plant-based snacks?
Concerns overs processed foods are getting more attention
Less can be more
The Market
Market drivers
Food inflation has normalized
Graph 42: annual change in CPI and retail food prices by month, 2019-24
Concerns over the rise in food prices persist
Graph 43: percentage of consumers who have been affected by select issues, 2023-24
Canadians are returning to working onsite at a modest rate
Graph 44: work location, 2022-24
Canada’s aging curve has plateaued
Graph 45: median age by year, 1971-2023
Immigration is slowing Canada’s aging trajectory
Graph 46: age distribution of recent immigrants vs overall population, 2021
Immigration from Asia bolsters population growth
Graph 47: percent of permanent residents admitted in 2022 by top 10 source countries, 2023
Graph 48: forecasted immigration vs births as drivers of population growth (%), 2023-40
Younger adults are more likely to be obese
Graph 49: obese body mass index by age, 2015-22
Appendix
Market definition
Consumer research methodology
Generations
Abbreviations and terms
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