Today, more than ever before, eating occasions are now overwhelmingly linked with snacks. Be it ready-to-eat popcorn, veggie chips or nuts, snack items considered better-for-you options are driving sales growth in snack food categories. The growing demand for foods and beverages with unique qualities – natural, functional, energizing, satiating and convenient – are causing consumers, manufacturers and retailers to rethink the traditional snack category, with products continuing to evolve and lines increasingly blurring. Retailers and brands should join hands to promote snacks by helping consumer to shop better and buy products that suit their taste preferences. This can happen only with their combined efforts and will help pave the way to even bigger innovation and expansion in the snacks category.
Munching of namkeen and snacks is a very old practice in India. The history of snacks shows that until about forty years ago, there were just 2-3 types of available namkeens in the market. But after the mid-80s, the varieties developed tremendously and the triple layer pouch packing started playing a major role/ factor in developing the category, extending the shelf life of products to six-twelve months. Today, around 1,000 snack items are sold in India spanning various tastes, forms, textures, aromas, bases, sizes, shapes and fillings. Besides, some 300 types of savories are sold in our country today.
But until three decades ago, snacking meant having snacks that were prepared hot, sun-dried or stored in containers by grandmothers at home. People seldom bought snacks as everything was prepared at home and there was not much available in the market either. It was only about a decade or two ago that the snack market slowly started emerging in India and the scene became totally different with mothers becoming busy and dependent on snacks and convenience foods. The snacking scenario has changed with an increased number of people consuming snacks daily and making it a part of their meal. Snack consumption has increased over the years as plenty of choices and new varieties are being offered constantly. Individual snack brands have progressed successfully and created a brand value among end consumers. With the rising population and a growing economy, there is a steady growth in the demand and supply of snacks.
Snacks: Current Market Scenario
This story is from the July 2019 edition of Progressive Grocer.
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This story is from the July 2019 edition of Progressive Grocer.
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