Consumer trends and market challenges impacting brands and retailers – April 2022
Sensory Dimensions attended the Food & Drink Expo 2022 at the NEC, Birmingham last week to hear how consumer trends and market challenges were impacting brands and retailers.
Top consumer trends:
- Plant-based – Brands continue to expand their offerings of alternative product ranges incorporating plant-based alongside dairy, meat and fish.
- Clean label – consumers are seeking products that contain more natural ingredients in an effort to support health and wellness.
- Sustainability and ethical responsibility – increased awareness of environmental considerations, ingredient sourcing choices and supply chain transparency.
- Convenience: hot home-delivery meal options or ready-to-consume food and drink whilst on-the-go; the consumer is looking for innovative, wholesome and tasty options to suit them anytime, anywhere.
Many of the prominent economic challenges and key issues impacting the sector were discussed during the live sessions:
- Reformulation in line with #HFSS.
- New government policy and strategy: clarity, implementation and impact of the plastic #packaging tax and calorie labeling.
- Supply chain challenges: prompting ingredient substitutes which impacts product quality and user experience.
- Mitigating cost of living with increased manufacturing costs.
It was exciting to witness the fruition of recent years innovation at this live event. If you need support whilst navigating some of the current industry challenges – get in touch for our advice.
