Trendspotting at the 2018 Sweets &

Snacks Expo
Source: Mintel 07-06-2018

“Widespread snacking presents a huge opportunity for

engagement across the food and drink industry. Varied
uses, motivations, and openness to a range of brands,
types, and attributes in the snack space means multiple
points of entry for both consumers and brands. The 2018
Sweets & Snacks Expo in Chicago offered a glimpse of what
trends in innovation we can see going forward.”
For more information see the following Mintel Reports:
● Non-chocolate Confectionery, US – May 2018
● Chocolate Confectionery, US – April 2018
● Salty Snacks, US – March 2018
● Better for You Snacks, US – September 2017
● Snacking Motivations and Attitudes US – May 2017

What We've Seen

● 71% of consumers snack at least 2-3 times a day

● 60% of non-chocolate confectionary eaters consume it for a snack
● 50% of consumers snack to treat themselves
● 48% of salty snack buyers wish there were more healthy snack options
● 42% of salty snack buyers agree taste is more important than health
● 41% of salty snack buyers like to try new kinds of salty snacks

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Variety of products at the expo exhibit important industry trends

An extremely diverse lineup of brands, formats, and flavors were on display at the
2018 Sweets & Snacks Expo in Chicago. These six trends were noticeable.

Bold flavor combinations

Looking to drive excitement within an already animated space, brands are tapping
into bold flavor combinations. Two new launches – Honestly Veggie Popper Duos and
The Popcorn Factory Kettle Krave! – are both all in on this fusion of flavors trend.
Honestly Veggie Popper Duos offers bite-size crunchy pea and lentil poppers in
combinations including BBQ & Ranch and Zesty Queso featuring cheddar and salsa
puffs. The Popcorn Factory’s newest brand Kettle Krave! has an array of savory
combos including Buffalo Wing Bleu Cheese and Cracked Pepper Sea Salt, as well as
sweet flavor fusions like Spicy Cocoa Peppermint and Bacon Maple.

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FIGURE 1: Honestly Veggie Popper Duos BBQ & Ranch

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FIGURE 2: The Popcorn Factory Kettle Krave! Buffalo Wing Bleu Cheese

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Duo flavored products aren’t reinventing the wheel though. Kellogg’s Pop-Tarts brand
is revisiting the concept with a refreshed Pop-Tarts Splitz, back after the brand
originally introduced them in 2007. The two new decedent options include Frosted
Strawberry and Drizzled Cheesecake and Drizzled Sugar Cookie and Frosted Brownie
Batter.

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FIGURE 3:
ellogg Pop-Tarts Splitz Frosted Strawberry and Drizzled
Cheesecake

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Plant power

As consumer interest in plant-based and alternative offerings gain traction, brands in

the snack industry are quick to step up their innovation in the space. Although
snacks have historically been somewhat plant-based, a whole new “crop” of fruits

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and vegetables are being tapped to be the base. From The Ground Up offers new
snacks made with cauliflower including Cauliflower Pretzels and Cauliflower Crackers
while Plant Snacks has a line-up of cassava root chips in flavors like Beet With Vegan
Goat-Cheese and Super Seed Mix. Meanwhile, Vegan Rob’s had an array of plant-
based puffs and chips including Jackfruit Puffs, Brussel Sprout Puffs, and Asparagus
Chips.

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FIGURE 4: From The Ground Up Cauliflower Pretzels Original

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FIGURE 5: Plant Snacks Cassava Root Chips

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FIGURE 6: Vegan Rob’s Jackfruit Puffs

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Functional

With consumers, especially younger ones, taking a more holistic approach to health,
functional ingredients have long been finding a home in food and drinks. Brands are
integrating these cutting edge ingredients to bring function or benefits to snack time.
Vegan Rob’s presented a diverse line of puffs and chips with Charcoal and

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Ashwagadha that promise detoxification and energy respectively. Wai Lana Cassava
Chips Turmeric Cheese features two ingredients – cassava and turmeric – known for
a variety of nutritional benefits. Other sweet brands looked to provide a dose of
indulgence and function. Bounce Energy Protein Balls make their function clear in the
product name while Amplify Snacks Oatmega Cookies contain 12g of protein and
omega-3s that help with brain development, immune system function, and blood
pressure regulation.

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FIGURE 7: Vegan Rob’s Charcoal Puffs

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FIGURE 8: Wai Lana Cassava Chips Turmeric Cheese

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FIGURE 9: Bounce Peanut Cacao Protein Energy Balls

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FIGURE 10: Amplify Snack Brands Oatmega Cookie

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Indian inspirations

Interest in international flavors continues to expand and brands are dabbling in

foreign territory – this time with flavors from India. Indian flavors including chai,
masala, and curry were featured in snacks like Peatos Masala and Organic Grounded
Snacks Vanilla Chai. Masala Pop has a full line of Indian inspired popcorns in flavors

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like Indian Spice, Chai Caramel, and Savory Coconut.

FIGURE 11: World Peas Brand Peatos Masala

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FIGURE 12: Masala Pop Popcorn

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FIGURE 13: Lundberg Family Farms Organic Grounded Snacks

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Even sweeter products like Raaka Virgin Chocolate had some influence from Indian
flavors with their Smoked Chai chocolate bar variety.

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FIGURE 14: Raaka Virgin Chocolate Smoked Chai

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Popcorn and chips: now with truffles

From savory to sweet and a little bit of both, gourmet popcorns and chips have been
pioneers in flavor innovation. In a continued push to offer more elevated flavors,
brands like OOLALA, Pop! Gourmet Foods, Live Love Pop, and Pop Art were sampling
truffle-flavored offerings at the expo.

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FIGURE 15:
Natural Nectar OOLALA Potato Chips White Truffle &
Parmesan

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FIGURE 16: Pop! Gourmet Foods Black Truffle Popcorn

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FIGURE 17: Live Love Pop Truffle Salt Delicious Gourmet Popcorn

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White chocolate revival

White chocolate has waxed and waned in popularity over the years and it would
appear the flavor is back in fashion. Well-known brands like Justin’s, Twix, and
M&M’s are looking to start that revival, featuring white chocolate in classic offerings.

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FIGURE 18: Justin’s White Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups

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FIGURE 19: Mars Twix White

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FIGURE 20: Mars M&M’s White Chocolate

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What It Means

The 2018 Sweets & Snacks Expo featured a mix of products focused on health as
well as decadence, indicating there is enough space for better-for-you, indulgent,
and even some “in-between” options in the snack space.

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