Page 4 - Food Trends

International candy is going mainstream.  Once something you could only experience when traveling abroad, social media outlets like TikTok have spurred retailers to carry more imported confections than ever before (The Atlantic). One country whose candy is getting lots of love – Japan.  Exotic, intense flavors, unique textures, and vibrant packaging, Japanese confections are an experience for the senses.

New to the world of Japanese Candy? Let us take you on a tour of the top Japanese confectionery brands sure to make your business an international candy destination.

In a world of ever-changing consumer habits, snack selection has remained constant. Snacking is still spontaneous with 72% of consumers not planning their snacks, instead simply grabbing as needed (National Confectioners Association). For one-third of these consumers, the impulse section is part of the snacking experience (National Confectioners Association).  Even as impulse sections evolve beyond traditional cashiered lanes to include self-serve checkouts, self-serve corrals, and grab-and-go sections, must-have items are emerging, regardless of format.  Check out these tips for the must-haves to create an on-point point of sale.

Consumers are in the mood to manage their mood. One of the ways they’re doing that is through food.  40% of consumers are interested in mood-based food experiences, with 37% looking for their snacks to aid with mood according to recent surveys (Food Dive).  While the focus on functional ingredients might be new, the items they’re turning to are tried and true foods we all know.  Set the mood for success by highlighting these better-for-you products.

Bye bye summertime slowdown — it’s back to the daily grind!  Back to school and the office means consumers are on the hunt for a boost from their good old friends, coffee and caffeine. But they’re looking beyond the cup, seeking snacks that offer functional ingredients including caffeine (Food Dive). Innova Market Insights (IMI) even reported a 50% increase in caffeine snack bars between 2014 and 2018 (Baking Business). Those numbers continue to percolate. Give your selection a power jolt with sweets and snacks running on caffeine and coffee flavor. 

Read on – we have a latte ideas of how to incorporate coffee flavored and caffeine powered products into your selection.

You don’t need a reporter to give you the scoop. When it comes to summer treats, ice cream is the tops, estimated to rake in $73.61 billion in 2022 (Fortune Business Insights). We know they love ice cream un-cone-ditionally, but do you know ice cream’s origins or the most popular day to buy ice cream? Take our quiz and put your ice cream knowledge to the test. Fun facts make great ice (cream) breakers when talking with customers.

There’s no denying that consumers love local. Even the National Confectioners Association reports products touting USA Made are seeing 9% growth. But it’s not just local or national pride that’s impacting their buying decisions — consumers appreciate the benefits that supporting local brings, like creating jobs and a smaller carbon footprint. Don’t forget a unique experience too! Hitting the sweet spot with unique USA made brands can be challenging as many brands don’t tout their USA made status directly on the package. Fear not: we’ve done the detective work for you, and uncovered longtime USA-Made brands your customers will love to discover and be proud to support.