Mondelēz International Releases Fifth Annual State of Snacking Report: Global Consumers Continue to Prioritize Snacking
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Insights
Consumer behavior is a driving force behind market trends and the latest report from Mondelēz International highlights a sustained shift towards snacking over traditional meal patterns. This shift is not merely a temporary trend but an entrenched behavior that has held steady for five years. The implications for the food and beverage industry are significant, as companies must adapt their product development, marketing strategies and supply chains to cater to this 'snackification' of eating habits.
The report's emphasis on mindful snacking and sustainability suggests that consumers are not just seeking convenience but also quality and ethical considerations in their choices. Brands that can successfully integrate these values into their products and messaging may gain a competitive edge. However, this also places pressure on companies to innovate in areas such as packaging, ingredient sourcing and production processes to meet these evolving expectations without compromising profitability.
For investors, the steady snacking trend signals potential growth opportunities in the snack segment. Companies that are agile and responsive to consumer preferences, particularly those that can offer differentiated products that align with the health and sustainability trends, may be well-positioned for long-term success.
The report underscores a significant rise in consumers prioritizing snacks that align with their health and wellness goals. The data suggests that snacks are no longer just a quick fix for hunger but are increasingly being consumed with intentionality – for energy boosts, mood improvement and fitness alignment. This shift towards 'mindful snacking' indicates a market opportunity for snacks that offer functional benefits, such as those fortified with vitamins, minerals, or protein.
However, the challenge for the industry lies in balancing indulgence with health. While consumers express a desire for portion control, they also show a strong emotional connection to indulgent categories like chocolate. The industry must navigate this paradox by offering products that do not compromise on taste while providing health benefits. This could involve reformulating products to reduce sugar and fat content or introducing new products that deliver on both health and indulgence.
The findings from Mondelēz International's report also have significant implications for sustainability practices within the snacking industry. With a notable percentage of consumers seeking snacks that minimize environmental impact, there is a clear mandate for companies to invest in sustainable initiatives. This includes sourcing local ingredients, optimizing supply chains and implementing carbon offsets.
Moreover, the increase in consumers recycling snack packaging reflects a growing environmental consciousness that companies must address. The demand for reduced plastic packaging and sustainable materials is a call to action for the industry to innovate in packaging solutions. This is not only a matter of corporate responsibility but also a strategic move that could strengthen brand loyalty among environmentally conscious consumers.
For stakeholders, the challenge will be to implement these sustainable practices in a cost-effective manner that does not adversely affect the bottom line. Companies that can achieve this balance may not only enhance their brand reputation but also secure a favorable position in an increasingly eco-aware market.
- Snacking preferred over traditional mealtime for the fifth consecutive year
- Despite global economic challenges, consumers continue budgeting for their
favorite snacks - Consumers report a greater emphasis on snacking for perceived health and
well-being benefits - Consumers are choosing brands that align with their values, increasingly focused
on snacks with sustainability credentials
CHICAGO, March 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mondelēz International, Inc. (Nasdaq: MDLZ) today announced the launch of the fifth annual State of Snacking™ report, a global consumer trends study examining annual insights on how consumers make snacking decisions. This year’s report reveals that amidst ongoing global economic uncertainty, consumers continue to prioritize, purchase and prefer snacks.
Developed in partnership with The Harris Poll, this report was initially launched five years ago in support of Mondelēz International’s mission to lead the future of snacking. The past half-decade of tracking attitudes and behaviors among thousands of consumers across 12 countries has shown a consistent trendline of consumers demonstrating a preference for snacks over meals.
This year, Mondelēz is also rolling out a standalone, complementary State of Snacking: Future Trends report showcasing longer-term consumer macro trends shaping the future of snacking. These macro trends include: shifting demographic landscape, increasingly fluid lifestyles, people and planet impact imperative, health and well-being ubiquity, and resurgence of experience economy. These macro trends provide additional context on changing behaviors from a big-picture perspective, further exploring how the snacking world may evolve in the future.
This year’s State of Snacking findings reveal that snacking behaviors continue to grow, including notable growth in mindful snacking, with the chocolate category in particular closely associated with joy. Consumers are snacking:
- Consistently: snack spending remains unchanged with two-thirds (
66% ) of consumers agreeing they have not made significant changes to their spend on snacks, despite being more conscious of price. - Mindfully:
85% of consumers report they regularly savor a snack’s taste, flavor, and texture while eating;78% say they appreciate snacks more when consumed mindfully. - Adventurously: consumers surveyed are leveraging social media (
62% ) and searching for novelty, with six in 10 considering themselves “snack adventurers” who like to try new snacks. - Purposefully: over two-thirds of global consumers agree they often choose brands that align with their values, fueling a rising appetite for snacks with sustainability benefits.
“The trend lines of the past half-decade of our State of Snacking report reinforce that despite a continued dynamic environment and changing preferences, snacking remains an integral pillar in the lives of global consumers,” said Dirk Van de Put, Chairman and CEO of Mondelēz International. “As a more intentional consumer evolves, embracing mindful snacking, we continue to help empower them with choices across our brands as we aim to become a global snack leader.”
The survey demonstrates the growing consumer desire for snacks that offer both satisfaction and alignment with personal and environmental values. Consumers rely on snacks for perceived benefits such as to boost energy (
Mondelēz International continues to lead the snacking industry in adapting to these evolving consumer preferences and working to ensure that every snack provides an opportunity for connection and mindfulness while prioritizing consumer desires.
Additional findings from the 2023 State of Snacking report and State of Snacking: Future Trends report, available for download at https://www.mondelezinternational.com/stateofsnacking/, include:
- The Evolving Snacking Mindset
- Snacking remains a preferred eating habit, with
88% of consumers reporting that they indulge in snacks daily. - Six in 10 agree that they prefer many small meals throughout the day, as opposed to a few large ones.
- Snacking remains a preferred eating habit, with
- Mindful Snacking
- Portion control is increasingly important, with
67% of consumers saying they seek portion-controlled snacks. - Seven in 10 agree they would rather have a smaller portion of an indulgent snack than a bigger portion of a low fat/sugar alternative version.
72% surveyed fear a “world without chocolate would be a world without joy,” a feeling that is consistent across generation and region.
- Portion control is increasingly important, with
- Snack Curation
- Social media plays a crucial role in snack discovery, with over half of the consumers surveyed expressing interest in an “instant buy” option for snacks found online.
74% report that the novelty of the flavor and texture combination are important to them when choosing a snack.56% discover new snacks on social media, and these numbers are even higher among young generations.
- Snacking with Purpose
63% of consumers surveyed seek snacks that work to minimize their environmental impact with actions such as using carbon offsets, prioritizing local ingredients, and optimizing supply chains to promote sustainability.74% report that they often recycle their snack packaging – up three percentage points from last year – a statistically significant increase.- Millennials are most likely to say they prioritize snacks that have less plastic packaging to begin with (
71% ).
“We have seen that snacking has helped consumers navigate the last five years,” said Martin Renaud, Chief Marketing and Sales Officer at Mondelēz International. “At Mondelēz International, we continue to work towards meeting the rising demand for more sustainable snacking options and mindful snacking, as the category remains a consistent daily ritual.”
About Mondelēz International
Mondelēz International, Inc. (Nasdaq: MDLZ) empowers people to snack right in over 150 countries around the world. With 2023 net revenues of approximately
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements. Words, and variations of words, such as “will,” “may,” “expect,” “plan,” “continue” and similar expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements of belief or expectation and statements about Mondelēz International’s leadership position in snacking. These forward-looking statements are subject to change and to inherent risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Mondelēz International’s control, which could cause Mondelēz International’s actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those projected or assumed in these forward-looking statements. Please also see Mondelēz International’s risk factors, as they may be amended from time to time, set forth in its filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. There may be other factors not presently known to Mondelēz International or which it currently considers to be immaterial that could cause Mondelēz International’s actual results to differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements it makes. Mondelēz International disclaims and does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement in this press release, except as required by applicable law or regulation.
| Contact: | Desiree Battaglia (Media) | Shep Dunlap (Investors) |
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