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owner of H & R News in Camberley, Surrey. “We need to work out the best flavours and look into getting a larger display area as there are lots of products on the market.”

Patel understands the pressure of space and advises retailers to find the biggest margins and the best brands and stock these.

Bart Dalla Mura, Tysoe Village Stores, Warwickshire

“THE health category has grown quite substantially in term of people wanting more healthy options. Graze and other brands are popular, but not all of them are necessarily healthy – they are often just not as fattening or sugar-free. However, the increase in healthy snacking hasn’t led to any decrease in demand for snacks such as chocolate or crisps. When the Pot Noodle entered the market, everyone was guessing where it would take sales from, and, in the end, it was nowhere. It just added to sales, and nothing diminished. This feels similar with healthy snacks, and there are definitely some people who won’t go near them – so sales do depend on demographics.”

Time For More Variety

CRISP and chocolate brands are known for their endless launches and limited-editions, not to mention on-pack competitions and glitzy advertising campaigns. However, it is fair to say healthy brands are still playing catch-up in these areas. Health brands have often chosen to start tentatively with one or two lines before daring to branch out further.

Now that HFSS laws are in place, and more prominent positions are being given to healthy snacking, brands are getting braver when it comes to more exotic flavours and limited-editions. This means customers more often than not have a wide range of options.

“Variety helps keep snacks exciting and appeal to a wider audience, while limited-edition flavours drive enthusiasm around the occasion,” says Conor Lowry, category controller for Pilgrim’s Food Masters. Jumping on this demand, brand Fridge Raiders has expanded its Chicken Bites range with Satay Chicken Bites and Pizza Chicken Bites. Meatfree Tasty Bites Smoky BBQ caters to the flexitarian and meat-free market.

KP Nuts’ Flavour Kravers range is also bringing substantial innovation to the segment with Flame Grilled Steak, Smokin’ Paprika and Sour Cream & Chive all looking to ignite interest from young customers to drive sales, with this demographic overindexing in bold flavours. With sales for the jerky and biltong meat snacks category growing at 41% value, Jack Link’s Beef Jerky has Sweet, Hot and Teriyaki flavours alongside its original flavour.