Snack Food Market - Market Research, Industry Trends, Market Share, Consumer Insights


Published: 09/08/2021
Pages: 198
Full Study Price: US$ 3,995

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed many aspects of consumer behavior and daily life, with more people looking to improve their health to prevent – or otherwise lessen the severity of – illness. Some consumers are also buying food and beverage products to boost their immune systems or improve health because they believe in the concept of “food as medicine.”

For some, the pandemic has inspired more focus on healthy living in general – regular exercise, more whole foods, etc. – and not just susceptibility to illness. Snacks in the better-for-you space are appealing to those who want to make small changes for big results. Better-for-you snacks are positioned as healthier than conventional snacks, based on health claims and characterizations that consumers perceive as important to health such as clean label, low fat, low sodium, and low/no added sugar. 

Growth prospects for snacks in the better-for-you category were strong before the coronavirus pandemic, but the outlook is even brighter now following big shifts in consumer behavior and expectations. Overall snacking activity increased during the pandemic, and the whole grocery market experienced much faster than average growth since people were staying at home more than usual due to remote work and schooling.

For more information on this growing market, read Better-for-You Snacks: Market Trends and Opportunities by Packaged Facts. This new report analyzes current retail sales, projects future sales, and examines trends across the U.S. market for snack foods with better-for-you claims, considering the current and longer-term impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.

  Buy This Report Now   
Learn More
Purchase Options
See Related Reports
Our Simple Buying Process

Choose License and Add
This Report To Your Cart.

Register, Checkout
and Verify Payment.

Receive Notification When
Your Report Is Available.

Table Of Contents

  • Executive Summary
    • COVID-19 Effects on Snacking Activity
    • Key Consumer Trends
    • Packaging Trends
    • Scope
  • COVID-19 Effects on Consumers
    • Highlights
    • First Time Use of Convenient Food Ordering Methods In 2020
      • Table Coronavirus Food Purchase Habits: "Because of the coronavirus, I have for the first time used…", 2020 (percent of consumers)
    • Increasing Use of Convenient Food Ordering Methods Continuing Through 2021
      • Table Coronavirus Food Purchase Habits: "Because of the coronavirus, I am…", 2020-2021 (percent of consumers)
    • Consumers Increasing Number of Meals/Snacks or Frequency of Eating Comfort Foods or Snacks/Treats More Likely to Shop for Groceries Online
      • Table Coronavirus Convenient Food Purchase Habits: "Have you had any of the following delivered in the last 12 months?", 2021 (percent of consumers)
    • In 2021, Pandemic-Related Changes to Eating and Food Ordering Behavior Are Declining
      • Eating Habits and Food Prep
      • Snacking and Healthy Eating
        • Table Coronavirus Eating Habits: "Because of the coronavirus, I am eating more…", 2021 (percent of consumers)
      • Grocery and Food Ordering
    • Concerns About COVID-19 Exposure and Food Safety
      • Concerns About Food Safety and Waste Rose in the Wake of the Pandemic in 2020
        • Table Coronavirus Concerns about Safety and Food Waste: "Because of the coronavirus, I am…", 2020 (percent of consumers)
      • Concerns about Exposure Remain in 2021
      • Considering the Pandemic a Health Threat Personally or to Family/Friends
        • Table Coronavirus Health Concerns: "I am concerned about the…", 2020-2021 (percent of consumers)
      • Consumers Who Are Increasing Snacking Activity Are More Likely to Be Concerned about the Pandemic's Health Threat
        • Table Coronavirus Health Concerns: "I am concerned about the…", 2021 (percent of consumers)
    • Consumers Who Report Increasing Snacking Activity Are Experiencing More Negative Personal Effects of the Pandemic
      • Table Coronavirus Concerns: "The coronavirus has negatively affected my…", 2020-2021 (percent of consumers)
      • Table Coronavirus Concerns: "The coronavirus has negatively affected my…", 2021 (percent of consumers)
    • Effects on Work Are Continuing in 2021
    • Shopping Patterns Are Shifting, With Many Consumers Cutting Back on Spending and Shopping Less Inside Stores
    • Food Insecurity Attributed to COVID-19
    • Excitement for Food-Related Activities When the Pandemic Subsides
  • Overview and Market Trends
    • Highlights
    • Gluten, Food Allergies, and Dietary Restrictions Are a Concern to Many Consumers
    • Vegetarians, Vegans, and Flexitarians: Plant-Based Eating, Sustainability, and Beyond
    • Clean Label Trends
    • Food Gifting Trends
      • Purchasing for Others
        • Table Chocolate Food Gifts Purchased for others in the Last 12 Months, 2010-2021 (percent of consumers)
      • Purchasing Food Gifts For Self
        • Table Types of Food Gifts Purchased for Self in the Last 12 Months, 2020 and 2021 (percent of consumers)
      • Personal vs. Work-Related Food Gift Types
        • Table Types of Food Gifts Received: Personal Gift vs. Business Gift in the Last 12 Months, 2020 and 2021 (percent of adults who received a food gift)
    • Companies Are Investing in Blockchain and Big Data to Satisfy Consumer Desires for Transparency
    • Consumers Think Small and Medium Businesses Have More Credibility
    • The COVID-19 Pandemic Was the Jumpstart the Online Grocery Market Needed
      • Impact on the Snack Market
    • Diets and Eating Patterns
      • Over One Third of Consumers Have Followed a Special Diet in the Last Year
      • Losing Weight Is the Most Common Reason to Follow a Diet
      • Most Consumers Are Trying to Avoid or Limit Sugars in Their Diet
      • Sugar Tends to Be Preferred to Low/No Calorie Sweeteners, However
      • Frequency of Snacking and Reasons for Snacking
      • Most Consumers Snack in the Late Afternoon and Late Evening
      • Younger Consumers Are More Likely to Snack Throughout the Day
      • Definitions of Meals vs. Snacks
    • Drivers of Food Purchase Decisions
      • More Than Half of Consumers Say Healthfulness Matters More to Them Now When Deciding on Foods to Buy
      • Consumers Think Meat and Poultry Have the Greatest Negative Impact on the Environment, with Snack Foods Less Commonly Cited
      • About Half of Consumers Pay Close Attention to Food Labels When Shopping
      • "Natural" Labels Are Most Impactful When Grocery Shopping
      • Helpfulness of Food Label Features
    • Health Benefits in Foods
      • One-Fifth of Consumers Seek Health Benefits from Foods
      • Weight Loss/Management Is the #1 Health Benefit Sought from Food
      • Nutrients and Characteristics Consumed and Avoided by Consumers
      • Most Nutrients Are Sought from Foods Instead of Beverages or Supplements
      • Perception of Health Differences in Products
  • Market Size and Forecast
    • Scope
    • Sales by Product Category
      • Table Better-for-You Snack Retail Sales by Product Category, 2016-2020, 2025P (million dollars)
  • Marketing Trends and Opportunities
    • Highlights
    • Indulgence vs. Health
    • Unrefined Sugar
    • Alternative Sweeteners, Sugar-Free, and Lower Sugar Products
    • Low-Carb/High Protein, Keto, and Paleo Diets
    • Probiotics and Prebiotics for Gut Health/Immunity
    • Nuts, Fruit, Seeds, and Other Ingredients for Increased Nutrition
    • Vegan/Plant-Based Snacks Appeal to Those Looking to Eat a Plant- Forward Diet
      • Plant-Based Dairy Alternatives
      • Plant-Based Meat Alternatives
    • Opportunity: Appealing to Families with Children
    • Opportunity: Upcycled Ingredients
    • Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) and Online Marketing
      • New Companies and Products with Niche Appeal May Choose DTC Channels
      • Private Labels
      • Subscriptions Save Consumers Money and Boost Sales
    • In-Store Purchasing Trends
      • Retail Stores Rely More On Impulse Purchases of Snacks
      • Holiday Promotions Are Key
      • Private Label Snacks Are a Driver of Store Traffic and Retailer Loyalty
  • Consumer Demographics
    • Highlights
    • Trends by Gender
      • Table Consumers Who Say They Snack Often by Gender, 2021 (percent of consumers)
      • Table Changes in Snack/Treat Consumption during the Coronavirus Pandemic by Gender, 2021 (percent of consumers)
    • Trends by Age Bracket
      • Table Consumers Who Say They Snack Often by Age Bracket, 2021 (percent of consumers)
      • Table Changes in Snack/Treat Consumption during the Coronavirus Pandemic by Age Bracket, 2021 (percent of consumers)
    • Patterns Based on Household Income
      • Table Consumers Who Say They Snack Often by Household Income Bracket, 2021 (percent of consumers)
      • Table Changes in Snack/Treat Consumption during the Coronavirus Pandemic by Household Income Bracket, 2021 (percent of consumers)
    • Regional Differences
      • Table Consumers Who Say They Snack Often by U.S. Region, 2021 (percent of consumers)
      • Table Changes in Snack/Treat Consumption during the Coronavirus Pandemic by U.S. Region, 2021 (percent of consumers)
    • Urban, Suburban, and Rural Consumers
      • Table Consumers Who Say They Snack Often by County Size, 2021 (percent of consumers)
      • Table Changes in Snack/Treat Consumption during the Coronavirus Pandemic by Urban, Suburban, or Rural Living, 2021 (percent of consumers)
    • Educational Attainment
      • Table Consumers Who Say They Snack Often by Educational Attainment, 2021 (percent of consumers)
      • Table Changes in Snack/Treat Consumption during the Coronavirus Pandemic by Educational Attainment, 2021 (percent of consumers)
    • Presence of Children in the Household
      • Table Consumers Who Say They Snack Often by Presence of Children in the Household, 2021 (percent of consumers)
      • Table Changes in Snack/Treat Consumption during the Coronavirus Pandemic by Presence of Children in HH, 2021 (percent of consumers)
    • Race/Ethnicity
      • Table Consumers Who Say They Snack Often by Race/Ethnicity, 2021 (percent of consumers)
      • Table Changes in Snack/Treat Consumption during the Coronavirus Pandemic by Race/Ethnicity, 2021 (percent of consumers)
    • Plant-Forward Consumers
      • Table Consumers Who Say They Snack Often by Primary Diet/Eating Philosophy, 2021 (percent of consumers)
      • Table Changes in Snack/Treat Consumption during the Coronavirus Pandemic by Primary Diet/Eating Philosophy, 2021 (percent of consumers)
    • Food Delivery and Pickup Service Users
      • Table Consumers Who Say They Snack Often by Use of Online Grocery Delivery Services, 2021 (percent of consumers)
      • Table Changes in Snack/Treat Consumption during the Coronavirus Pandemic by Use of Food Delivery and Pickup Services in the Last 12 Months, 2021 (percent of consumers)
  • Consumer Psychographics
    • Highlights
    • Special Eating Restrictions or Preferences
      • Table Extent to Which Consumers Report Following a Special Diet, 2021 (percent of consumers)
      • Table Special Diets Followed by Consumers, 2021 (percent of consumers)
    • Willingness to Pay More for Food Delivery or Premium Food Characteristics
      • Table Willingness to Pay More for Food Delivery or Premium Food Characteristics, 2021 (percent of consumers)
    • Perceptions About Health and Nutrition
      • Concerns About Health Can Be Addressed by Functional Foods and Beverages
        • Table Health Concerns Related to Functional Foods and Beverages, 2021 (percent of consumers)
        • Table More Health Concerns Related to Functional Foods and Beverages, 2021 (percent of consumers)
      • More than Half of Consumers Consider Themselves to Be in Excellent or Very Good Health
      • Beliefs about Sources of Weight Gain
      • Definition of "Healthy Food"
      • Elements of "Healthy Eating Patterns"
      • Most Consumers Are Confident in Their Ability to Choose Healthy Foods
  • Packaging Trends
    • Highlights
    • The Balance Between Effective, Sustainable, and Low-Cost Packaging
    • Targeting Excessive Packaging for Reduction and Elimination
    • Protective Packaging Is Important For Product Integrity
    • A Shift from Expensive Set-Up Boxes to Other Paper Packaging for Snack Subscription Boxes
    • Reusable Packaging
    • Opportunities for Biodegradable and Compostable Packaging
    • Packaging Aids in Portion Control
    • Pouches Are Functional and Convenient Packaging for Snacks
    • Small, Individual Snack Packages vs. Large Multi-Serving Sizes
    • Retail-Ready Packaging Makes Snacks Stand Out and Promotes Stocking Efficiency in Stores
    • Consumers Who Are Eating Snacks/Treats, Healthy Foods, or Comfort Foods More During the Pandemic Show Greater Concern About Packaging Waste and Sustainability
      • Recycling and Household Waste
        • Table Consumer Opinions on Recycling and Household Waste, 2021 (percent of consumers who strongly agree)
      • Proper Disposal of Products
        • Table Consumer Opinions on Taking Responsibility for Proper Disposal of Products, 2021 (percent of consumers who strongly agree)
      • Opinions on Packaging Materials
        • Table Consumer Opinions on Packaging Materials, 2021 (percent of consumers who strongly agree)
      • Types of Packaging Consumers Look for
        • Table "Do you especially look for any of the following in terms of "sustainability" or "eco-friendly" packaging?", 2021 (percent of consumers)
    • Food Gift Buyers Think Attractive Packaging is More Important Than Eco-Friendly Packaging, But Looks Are Decreasing in Importance
      • Table Attributes Sought When Purchasing Specialty Food Gifts, 2010-2020 (percent of those buying any food gifts)
    • Packaging Types Considered Eco-Friendly by Consumers
      • Table Consumer Thoughts on Recycling and Recyclable Packaging (percent of consumers)