Snacking in the UK is almost universal with 97% of adults doing so. Of consumers who snack, nearly one in 10 snack three times a day or more and around three in four do so at least once a day, further signalling how ingrained snacking has become for Britons.

Health considerations continue to play a significant role in the market. Though most of the pressure on operators in this market to step up their game is coming from the government, there are a number of health-related NPD (New Product Development) opportunities that are consumer-driven. This includes packs to help with portion control, L/N/R (low/no/reduced) sugar snacks and products with added benefits (eg high in fibre, protein).

However, indulgence still prevails and despite the official bodies’ focus on healthy, there is demand for ‘treat snacks’ among consumers. Looking ahead, this leaves snack operators with a tricky balance to strike between responding to the health concerns, but also keeping treats as treats to cater to the majority of consumers who think there is a place and a time for these

Product innovation has quite a strong influence on impulse buys of snacks, with a new flavour or new product from a favourite brand noted by more than a quarter of impulse snack buyers as having prompted them. This highlights the importance of NPD for staying on the radar with consumers and should be good news for established brands.

This report looks at consumers’ snacking habits, defined as eating between meals, for example fruit, biscuits or crisps, among others. The report will look at snacking at home, elsewhere (eg at work) and on the go (eg when travelling), consumers’ snack choices and attitudes towards snacks.

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