Consumers adapt snacking occasions to changing lifestyles

Study conducted by Technomic reveals the latest trends and data

CHICAGO, April 20, 2016 /CNW/ -- Though Canadians snack frequently (averaging two snacks a day), consumption has remained relatively stable since 2014 according to Technomic's recently released 2016 Canadian Snacking Occasion Consumer Trend Report. But how consumers view snacks and the way they snack are evolving to meet the needs of a busy, modern lifestyle. They are more likely to consider anything to be a snack. This presents an opportunity for operators to market more items as snacks, which can help drive sales.

"Consumers are broadening their definition of snacks to better fit their needs," explains Kelly Weikel, director of consumer insights at Technomic. "Operators and suppliers should regularly evaluate their snack lineup to ensure that they are keeping up with shifts in snacking and are capitalizing on these opportunities."

Key takeaways from the report include:
- Coffee cafés are the top source of foodservice snacks; 69% of consumers purchase snacks from these locations
- Consumers seek more snack options at limited-service restaurants (LSRs); 43% of consumers call for more LSRs to offer snack items
- Bundled mix-and-match snack options could drive sales; 34% of consumers say they're likely to order these options at restaurants

Compiling findings from more than 1,000 consumers, as well as Technomic's MenuMonitor and Digital Resource Library, the comprehensive 2016 Canadian Snacking Occasion Consumer Trend Report serves as a guide for foodservice operators and suppliers to understand consumer attitudes toward snacking and to identify key areas of opportunity.

Technomic publishes a complete library of Consumer Trend Reports. To learn more, please visit Technomic.com/ctr or contact one of the individuals listed below.

Contacts:
Press Inquiries and Report Details: Kelly Weikel, [phone], or [email protected]
Purchasing Details: Patrick Noone, [phone], or [email protected]

About Technomic
Only Technomic, a Winsight company, delivers a 360-degree view of the food industry. We impact growth and profitability for our clients by providing consumer-grounded vision and channel-relevant strategic insights. Our services range from major research studies and management consulting solutions to online databases and simple fact-finding assignments. Our clients include food manufacturers and distributors, restaurants and retailers, other foodservice organizations, and various institutions aligned with the food industry. Visit us at technomic.com.

About Winsight, LLC
Winsight, LLC is a business-to-business media and information services company specializing in the convenience-retailing, restaurant and noncommercial foodservice industries. Winsight has an extensive media portfolio including four publications, CSP, Restaurant Business, FoodService Director and Convenience Store Products, a suite of digital products including websites, e-newsletters (Restaurant Business Daily and CSP Daily News) and webinars, plus video products, mobile and tablet apps, custom marketing solutions and the convenience-retailer intelligence tool, CSPedia. The Winsight Events group produces six exclusive, large-scale executive-level conferences—Restaurant Leadership Conference, FARE Conference, Outlook Leadership, Convenience Retailing University, FSTEC and MenuDirections—in addition to more than 12 major EduNetworking conferences and advisory meetings. Winsight recently acquired Technomic, Inc., a food industry provider of primary and secondary market information and advisory services. Winsight is a recognized leader in the markets it serves.

For more information on Winsight and its brands, go to WinsightMedia.com.

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SOURCE Technomic