Supermarketguru: Salty Snacks Satisfy in Many Ways

Salty snack eaters craving change have much innovation to celebrate in the salty snack aisle.

First, healthier varieties are gaining shelf space, as consumers respond favorably to baked, lower-fat, lower-sodium, organic and gluten-free products. Manufacturers are working hard to become a credible part of a balanced, better-for-you eating trend that is sweeping the nation.

Second, new product flavors, colors, packages and cooking processes give people more choice than ever in tastes, textures, sensory appeal and the ability to curb caloric intake. At F3 (Phil Lempert's Facts, Figures &the Future), we feel these changes are timely to help families avoid food boredom with so much more eating at home in this economy.

Such innovations have likely contributed to salty snacks sailing through the recession. The category’s dollar sales rose during each of the past four years, and culminated in a 1.7% rise to $10.91 billion in U.S. food stores (each $2 million and over in annual sales), excluding supercenters, in the 52 weeks ended February 19, 2011, reports Nielsen. This data is for prepackaged, UPC-coded products only. In the three previous years, total salty snacks rose by 3.3%, 7.1% and 5.5%.

The potato chips segment has set a three-year stretch of successive gains with a 3.2% increase to $3.21 billion during the latest 52 weeks.

Wonder whether consumers pay attention to their sodium intake?

Salty snacks with sodium claims are on a double-digit four-year stretch of gains – up by 21.0%, 13.3%, 16.3% and in the latest 52 weeks up by 18.4% to $265.5 million.