Global Consumer Trends Driving the Future of Innovation:
Active Consumerism
Connecting Trends to Innovation Action
Observing and discussing consumer insights is one thing, but knowing how to translate trend knowledge into new product development activities is the key to success for companies to keep up with the changing preferences of today’s well-informed shoppers.
Sensient is here to help! In this article, we breakdown the 5 global consumer trends into snackable pieces to show you how to manifest them into market-ready new products.
This blog is part of an ongoing trends series sharing observations about each of Sensient’s consumer trends.
Click one of the trend images below to discover more…
Active consumerism
Youniverse
Enriched meaning
Elevate the everyday
Fluid expectations
Active Consumerism
The global COVID-19 pandemic has propelled consumers toward an even greater sense of wellbeing, completely challenging the notion of healthy living today and for the future. In search of wellness, consumers are actively looking and shopping for products that empower their wellbeing.
Bringing this trend to market…Natural and Certified Organic Renovation and Innovation
Stemming not only from a desire for wellness, but now for safety reasons as well, consumers continue to pursue products with simple ingredients. This presents a ripe opportunity for natural and organic renovation and innovation activities for developers, especially on core items, where consumers expect to at least see a natural option available today.
Roll over each product to see how they capture this opportunity:Sparkling Ice:
Natural Conversion showing off the power of natural food colors.
Red
Vines:
Confections are innovating with natural ingredients.
Simple Truth Organic:
Kroger responds to consumer expectations for natural and organic core options.
Organic Baked Onion Rings
Organic + Flavorful = Win Win
Food as prescription
To respond to consumers’ proactive behavior in search of wellness-enabling products, innovators should look to develop functional and inspirational offerings to help consumers heal, perform, and thrive.
Suja Organic:
Organic and immune-boosting will be a popular combination post-pandemic.
Blue:
Pet food fortified with prebiotic fiber and antioxidants.
Girl Scout Cookies
Lemon-Ups:
Functional can be psychological.
Kodiak Cakes:
Protein-packed and flavorful.
Plant-based core offerings and line extensions
Consumer perception of “plant-based” as BFY (better-for-you) is propelling increased usage and acceptance of these type of products. Plant-based foods have become a growth engine with sales growing more than 5X faster than total food sales (SPINSscan Conventional Multi Outlet powered by IRI). If not already, innovators will want to hop aboard the plant-based train, because it is moving quickly! Many brands have already launched their first generation of plant-based core products with exciting line extensions in the pipeline for continued enticement and repeat brand purchases. Moving into the future, the sensory experience will be a critical factor of success and differentiation for plant-based foods.
Good Catch:
Seafood is the next chapter of plant-based alternatives.
The Daily Crave Beyond Puffs:
Plant-based is reaching nearly every major category, including salty snacks.
Veggieful:
Plant-based innovation touches almost all categories, including frozen appetizers.
Go-Gurt Dairy Free:
Shoppers are looking for vegan and plant-based options for children’s dairy products.
If you’re interested in exploring the trend of active consumerism for your brand or a specific category, Sensient’s color experts is here to help you identify where this trend fits into your narrative. Talk to the team here!
