Bacon yuzu smoothie, anyone?
That may sound a little far-fetched, but, for retailers, the importance of staying ahead of flavor trends with their private brand programs is very real.
As winter gives way to warmer weather, retailers must ensure their private brand programs feature the latest seasonal flavors, which can drive shopper traffic, impulse purchases and differentiation, says Jean Ryan, vice president of strategic advisory at Daymon.
This spring, shoppers are craving sweet & savory flavors along with new fruity additions, according to new proprietary research from Daymon, which powers private brand development for Advantage, based on a survey of more than 1,000 U.S. shoppers.
Daymon works with retailers to develop distinctive private brands that build loyalty and drive growth.
“Activating impulse purchases through seasonal flavors is just one way we support private brands in remaining competitive and driving sales growth,” Ryan says. “Retailers are increasingly considering limited-time and seasonally specific product lines within their private brand programs, from unique brands to flavor platforms, and drawing consumers in with storewide marketing and merchandising campaigns.”
With 75% of grocery shoppers making impulse food purchases, capturing their attention through new flavors and unique graphics and packaging is crucial. That’s particularly important to entice younger shoppers (and their parents), who are most likely to reach for foods with a unique flavor they may not have tried before. (Think dragon fruit, guava or yuzu.)
Here are some key findings from the survey:
- 43% of consumers surveyed are most interested in fruity flavors;
- Spring favorites like strawberry and blueberry are back at the top of the list in consumer interest (with a strong showing for bacon flavor);
- And with summer not far off, tropical tastes like watermelon, pineapple/pina colada and mango are gaining shopper interest in everything from beverages to snacks to frozen treats.
Impulse purchases can also carry over into seasonal scents, such as citrus, mint and lavender, in key non-foods categories such as personal care and household products. Here again, younger shoppers lead the charge, with Gen Z and younger millennials keen on limited-time-only scents in skin care, for example.
For more information on how Daymon can support your private-brand plans, reach out to contact@daymon.com.
