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Don’t waste another dime on bloated channel reporting and vanity metrics.
Don’t waste another dime on bloated channel reporting and vanity metrics.
Three-quarters of consumers keep buying snacks from big brands, no matter the economy, according to Mondelēz.
People eat to satisfy hunger, but our food choices are shaped by more than just what’s inside of us.
From societal norms to the economy, a number of external factors shape what we choose to eat, and when we eat it.
That can be especially true of snacking. It occupies a unique role in food culture, falling between meals and often untethered to an eating setting. Rather than preparing snacks, we typically keep them around, using them as a pick-me-up when we call upon them – or they call upon us.
Where do they fit now? Over the last two years, a big change in consumer behavior came as a result of inflation and supply chain issues. Seeing higher prices for gas, food and now rent, some people are being more picky about luxurious purchases, while seeking to stretch dollars. So the question was, would snacks change with it?
The answer provided by one CPG survey is a resounding no.
According to the State of Snacking Report issued this week by Ritz and Oreo maker Mondelēz International and Harris Poll, nine in 10 global consumers are concerned about inflation, while over half report that they are paying more for groceries now than at this time last year.
Yet snacks are remaining resilient in the consumer mind. The report found:
It underscores another unique place that snacks have in our lives: They are an affordable luxury. It's the kind of every day splurge that people turn to when they want a bit of indulgence, or even to make themselves feel better in a tough time. Former Estée Lauder chairman Leonard Lauder coined the “lipstick index” to describe a similar phenomenon that drove beauty sales up during a recession. Now it is playing out during this era of pullback in snacking, as well. There was no better sign of this than a Frito Lay multipack becoming the sixth-most-purchased item on an Amazon Prime Day that fell near the peak of inflation, according to Numerator.
Call it the Oreo effect.
Supply chain issues also played a role in shaping snacking, but with a silver lining. While just over half of consumers experienced a shortage or delay in receiving snacks over the last year, it also opened up new opportunities.
Six in 10 said supply chain issues led them to be more open to trying different kinds of snacks, with Gen Z and millennials coming in 70%. Three quarters also agree that “bigger brands are better equipped to deliver during challenging times.”
“Our State of Snacking report confirms that in these trying times, consumers around the world view their favorite snacks as affordable and necessary indulgences,” said Dirk Van de Put, CEO of Mondelēz International, in a statement. “Snacking continues to be a way for consumers to connect or to enjoy a moment of delight in their day, further demonstrating our belief that every snack can be enjoyed in a mindful way.”
Here are a few more insights about the role snacks play in consumers' lives from the report:
LadderUp is aiming for 50% LGBTQ+ and BIPOC participation. Shopify will provide access to its platform.
LadderUp will include an 8-week ecommerce course. (Courtesy photo)
Shipt is launching a new accelerator program designed to provide ecommerce tools for local retailers.Called LadderUp, the program is centered on equity. Target-owned delivery owned Shipt said conversations with business owners have revealed that local entrepreneurs face “gaps” in technology, but they also want to participate in ecommerce platforms. The COVID-19 pandemic was especially difficult for Black business owners, who saw earnings drop between 11-28% in 2019-2020, as compared to the earnings decrease of 5-17% for the rest of the population.
With the new program, the company’s goal is to reach at least 50% LGBTQ+ and BIPOC participation in the program.
Shipt is aiming to serve businesses in Atlanta, Birmingham, Alabama, Detroit, Houston and Washington, D.C.
Target categories include: grocery/beverage, health, beauty, and floral/gifts retailers.
“Working with small businesses to build up their capabilities is a key part of our commitment to help create healthier, more resilient and equitable communities,” said CEO Kamau Witherspoon. “We recognize the unique role that we can play in both combating hunger in under-resourced communities and boosting small, local retailers that are so vital to communities across our country.”
Education: Business owners who are selected will receive an 8-week course with industry leaders that covers business-building topics including finances, efficiency, marketing, ecommerce 101, the basics of using Shipt, and legal knowledge.
Funding: Upon completion, retailers will provide $5,000 for businesses to invest in ecommerce.
Shopify access: Shopify, which is partnering with Shipt, is also providing to its access for a limited amount of time to help business owners build an online storefront and manage inventory. The program will also provide technical assistance.
Applications are open Feb. 6- March 6.