"Flavour is the biggest driver of choice, with strong demand for nostalgia, new twists on familiar flavours and safe adventure. Being healthy is a lower priority."
Richard Caines - Principal Analyst, UK Food & Drink Research
Mintel’s crisps, nuts and savoury snacks market analysis shows a market in recovery, following four years of flat volume sales. Driven by the high popularity of snacks in most UK consumers’ diets.
While savvy shopping plays a role in the buying of crisps, savoury snacks and nuts, Mintel’s market research shows that only a minority of UK consumers prioritise low prices. Flavour is more important, highlighting how the eating experience is the defining feature of these snacks. Low price is more important for crisps/crisp-style snacks than the other segments, linked to their more frequent use. Still, this only matters to 36% of buyers, underpinning the sizeable branded and premium presence. In fact, 55% of eaters/buyers think it is worth paying more for premium offerings, and 69% think they are more of a treat than regular products.
Either a familiar flavour or new flavour is important to 59% when buying crisps/crisp-style snacks, compared to 42% for nuts and 39% for popcorn. Offering a great eating experience remains at the centre of much of the NPD, responding to, and in turn fuelling, the importance of flavour in consumers’ choices in this category.
BFY crisps/snacks have seen a lot of NPD over the last few years. Despite 63% of eaters/buyers being keen on their favourite brands, offering healthy options and strong interest in healthier attributes, perceptions of these as inconsequential for overall healthiness of people’s diets and more expensive are holding back healthier crisps/crisp-style snacks.
This Report examines the UK retail market for crisps, nuts and other savoury snacks. The market size includes products sold through the retail channel, including:
The market size excludes unpackaged products, savoury biscuits/crispbreads/cake bars and nuts specifically marketed for use in cooking/baking. It also excludes sales via catering or foodservice establishments; however, references and comparisons to these sectors may be made where relevant.
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