TL;DR
The Specialty Food Association Trendspotter Panel has identified several emerging trends from the Summer Fancy Food Show. Retailers should keep an eye on Flavor Fluidity, Salty Snacks, One-Step Convenience, African Specialties, Asian-Inspired Snack Flavors, and Food with an Edgy Attitude. These trends showcase innovative flavors, convenient cooking solutions, and global influences that can captivate consumers’ tastes and preferences.
The Summer Fancy Food Show has brought forth exciting trends that can reshape the food industry. For independent retailers, staying up-to-date with these emerging trends can provide valuable insights to cater to consumers’ changing preferences. Let’s take a closer look at the top trends from the show that small retailers should be on the lookout for:
- Flavor Fluidity: Flavors are no longer limited to their traditional categories. Consumers can expect to find cocktail-inspired honey, mint mojito coffee lattes, and beef steak chocolates, among others. Retailers can embrace this trend by stocking unique and adventurous flavor combinations in snacks, sweets, and beverages.
- Salty Snacks: Salty snacks have taken the lead in retail sales. From innovative chips like mushroom chips and tempeh chips to creatively seasoned potato chips, retailers should explore a wide range of salty snacks to cater to the growing demand for savory treats.
- One-Step Convenience: The post-pandemic consumer still desires to cook at home but with added convenience. Retailers can offer one-step cooking solutions, such as butter sprays, tea bags with integrated honey, or ready-to-cook meals using steam tech. These products can save customers time and effort in the kitchen.
- African Specialties: Foods and beverages from Africa are gaining prominence, showcasing unique ingredients, flavors, and recipes. Retailers can introduce African-inspired products, such as ginger, peach, and African olive leaf beverages, or dry mixes of beans and spices, to provide diverse and culturally rich choices to customers.
- Asian-Inspired Snack Flavors: Asian flavors are finding their way into both sweet and salty snacks. Retailers can offer customers a taste of the unexpected with products like vegan sunflower seed butter cups in black sesame or Vietnamese coffee, or crunchy capelin with roe in wasabi.
- Food with an Edgy Attitude: Brands are experimenting with daring and unconventional flavors, making bold statements that stand out. Retailers can appeal to adventurous consumers by stocking products like energy drinks, spicy sauces, and gummies that embrace a daring and edgy attitude.
The Summer Fancy Food Show trends are shaping the industry’s direction, and independent retailers can capitalize on these emerging preferences. By offering unique and culturally diverse flavors, convenient cooking options, and edgy and innovative products, retailers can attract and delight customers, keeping their stores vibrant and ahead of the competition. Apps like Evidnt’s Marketplace, provide ongoing insights for consumer buyer trends and products you can apply to your store.
