Snacks

What’s in store for 2024? Several industry experts provided insights on trends across packaged food and beverage launches, plus advice for entrepreneurs.

After the exit of co-founder and CEO Caroline Yeh this summer, cannabis-infused food brand TSUMo Snacks is now aiming to retool and relaunch in the mainstream marketplace as a hemp-based product.

Market research firm IRI hosted a webinar yesterday, titled “Solving the Seesaw State of U.S. Snacking,” that broke down how inflation, consumer interests, supply chain disruptions, channel opportunities and innovation continue to bring new obstacles and opportunities into the segment.

In this complicated back-to-school environment, snack brands that relied on their allergy-friendly ‘school safe’ appeal are striving to now find a place in consumers’ homes, focusing less on the lunchbox and instead trying to capitalize on the uptick in cooking at home.

In its Q3 earnings presentation yesterday, the Campbell’s Soup Company reported that organic net sales increased 17% year-over-year to $2.2 billion over the quarter. Looking ahead, CEO Mark Clouse outlined four trends expected to stick: “quick scratch cooking,” accelerated use of click-and-collect and home delivery, center store’s increased relevance and value.

Mondelez wants to teach consumers that more isn’t necessarily merrier when it comes to snacking. In its ‘Snacking Made Right’ report and on an investor call Friday, CEO Kirk van de Put outlined plans to promote balanced, mindful snacking and outlined the company’s wide-reaching sustainability strategy.

Where does a floating grocery store land during a pandemic? What about a curated snack service for office workers? As most daily activities move online, businesses whose plans rely on disrupting the everyday grind with exciting new products need to move forward — including snack services and experientially-focused popup retailers.

Although impulse buys are taking a hit during COVID-19, IRI expects on-the-go snacks to regain steam, especially with younger generations and Hispanic shoppers, once normal schedules return. In a recent report, IRI discussed the organization’s findings on snacking trends during 2019 and COVID-19 — and how both might influence the future of snacking.

Hershey’s announced plans to sell off once high-flying jerky brand KRAVE, along with artisan chocolate brands Scharffen Berger and Dagoba, during a quarterly earnings call that reflected a few months of dramatically-shifting consumer habits toward the confection company’s chocolate products.

Snack brand Supernola debuted in retail in February and is now selling its organic granola clusters in 8,000 stores, including Walgreens, select Giant and Whole Foods locations and natural retailers.