Category Management | Snacks
Snack Sales Trend Upward
Snack dollar sales rose across segments at convenience stores for the 52 weeks ending March 20, 2022.
EMBRACING SNACKING
David Arens, division merchandise manager for the Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES), which operates 589 Express convenience stores and 122 main stores, said salty snacks are the leading category, up 9% over last year for the chain. “Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, stores have seen shoppers embrace snacking more,” Arens said. “As shoppers are staying home more or choosing to gather at homes, snacking overall has increased. Shoppers are also looking for the ready-to-eat convenience of snacks.” Two-for offers continue to do well at c-stores across the nation as well as at Express stores. Secondary displays and shipper displays have provided a reliable lift in sales. Tie-in and cross-promotional offers such as snack-andbeverage combo deals have performed well.
Dollar Sales Current
1-Year % Change
Bakery Snacks
$960 M
17.1%
Cookies
$924 M
15.8%
Dried Meat Snacks
$2.2 B
19.6%
All Other Dried Meat Snacks
$1.23 B
18.0%
Jerky
$967 M
21.8%
Dry Fruit Snacks
$138 M
35.1%
Other Snacks
$375 M
19.3%
Nutritional Snacks/Trail Mixes
$198 M
11.8%
SUPPLY & MERCHANDISING
Chocolate Covered Salted Snack
$168 M
30.2%
With supply chain issues continuing, handling out-ofstocks has become a crucial task. Express stores work closely with vendor partners to know when product will be available and identify those that may be out of stock for an extended period. Retailers are supplementing inventory levels by exploring alternative vendors and making one-time buys for new brands, which also increases assortment variety. As supply chain issues and inventory strains continue to pose challenges, Arens said stores are staying flexible and creative to keep shelves stocked and continue providing shoppers with the products they want. “The snack industry is forecasted to continue growing,” Arens noted. He expects to see better-for-you snack items such as gluten-free, low-sugar and organic snacks continue to drive categories. Promotional offers and execution will continue to serve as the drivers of snack sales increases, Arens said. “Ensuring clear, attractive and well-placed signage for promotions will help,” he said. “Creating promotional events to tie in categories such as chips and a roller grill item help increase the basket.” The snack category will continue to see so-called ‘aspirational foods’ making waves within the industry. With consumers striving to better themselves, more organic options will also become easier to access, as well as more options with nutritional callouts, like protein, collagen, low-sugar, low-fat and low-sodium. Consumers today are better educated than they’ve ever been, and they expect the brands they support to align with their heightened expectations. CSD
Carob/Yogurt Covered Snack
$8.12 M
6.5%
Apple Chips
$450,085
22.6%
Salty Snacks
$6.26 B
15.1%
Potato Chips
$1.9 B
14.8%
Tortilla /Tostada Chips
$1.34 B
18.4%
Other Salted Snacks (No Nuts)
$902 M
10.2%
Cheese Snacks
$880 M
13.1%
Corn Snacks (No Tortilla Chips)
$469 M
20.6%
Pretzels
$295 M
23.9%
Ready-to-Eat Popcorn/Caramel Corn
$254 M
12.6%
Pork Rinds
$214 M
7.5%
Snack Bars/Granola Bars/Clusters
$782 M
21.4%
44
CSTORE DECISIONS •
May 2022
Product
Source: IRI OmniMarket Total Store View, Total U.S. Convenience data for the 52 weeks ending March 20, 2022.
fast facts:
• Salty snack dollar sales grew 15.1%, while dried meat snack dollar sales ticked up 19.6% for the 52 weeks ending March 20, 2022. • As supply chain issues continue retailers are staying flexible and creative to keep shelves stocked.
cstoredecisions.com
