Posted in Better-for-You on March 13, 2016
Gone are the days of boring “health foods.” The Styrofoam-tasting rice cakes of the past are just that, in the past. Today, snack manufacturers are focused on flavor. Offering a greater variety of snacks that provide great taste, texture and better-for-you benefits is a must to stay competitive in today’s market.
While top-selling items tend to lean on the traditional treat side, better-for-you-items are definitely gaining ground.1 We know—not exactly new news—but it’s a trend operators can’t ignore, especially in the fast-paced grab-and-go world of micro markets.
We know it’s not easy to add more SKUs into an already packed floor plan, but it’s totally worth it to help you attract customers not quite willing to reach for a sugary snack. One solution: Boost your branding power by creating a special sticker you can affix to better-for-you snacks, allowing customers to easily identify these items.1
What about a standout section? Create a beacon for better-for-you treat seekers by grouping like-styled snacks. You could even brand the area to create a microcosm of goodness in your micro market.1
If it doesn’t work, don’t give up. Try moving and testing the section in different areas.1 No success near the cooler? Bring the area up front to the register to see if you have more success. Or create a stylized end cap for this special style of snack.1
And if you’re not sure what to sell, you can always ask an expert. Reach out to a nutritionist to help you select snacks that are right for your traffic.1
No matter how you select or style better-for-you snacks, just make sure you do. Because this is one movement that isn’t going anywhere.
How do you choose and market better-for-you snacks in your operation? Tell us below.
1. Zimmer, Adrienne, “Healthy Isn’t Just a Trend,” Automatic Merchandiser, Jan. 14, 2016, http://www.vendingmarketwatch.com/blog/12158708/healthy-isnt-just-a-trend
