Chips never seem to go out of favor. When people crave a salty crunch, they often reach for chips, be it potato, corn or tortilla. In fact, “craving” is the reason behind 58% of salty snack purchases, according to research by the Mintel International Group.
“While there remains a concern about the nutritional content of many snacks, Americans are still interested in both better-for-you (BFY) and indulgent snacks as a way to treat themselves,” said Amanda Topper, a food analyst with Mintel.
Also, as more people lean toward snacking throughout the day, they will still gravitate toward salty foods. “The salty snacks category will continue to benefit from the anytime, anywhere snacking mentality,” Topper said.
Given this information, it seems logical chips will continue to be a big seller for convenience stores. However, industry experts and c-store owners agree, customers expect a variety from which to choose.
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As the owner of the Shell Food Mart in Hinsdale, Ill., John Archer makes sure the store carries a big selection of brands and package sizes. Those that sell well earn prominent shelf space. “We’re different from others in that we have a big deli in the store,” Archer said. “With the purchase of any sandwich, chips and fountain drink, customers save money, [so] we offer a huge variety of chips. We’ve got 12 feet of the small-sized bags of Frito-Lay and we have another endcap dedicated to miscellaneous chips. We have another eight feet of big bags of chips. We also have yet another endcap of Dirty-brand chips, and they do really well.”
Archer also regularly updates inventory to include different flavor combinations. “I like to bring in new flavors as they open up. People like different flavors,” he explained.
“Greater product variety from increased innovation related to flavor, ingredients and packaging has made it easier for consumers to find the perfect snack for any occasion,” Topper said.
Salty snack manufacturers have heeded the call for more BFY products, too. PepsiCo, the company behind Frito-Lay, announced it’s developing technology to lessen the amount of oil absorbed in chips. Online advertisements promote gluten-free products. Multigrain tortilla and corn chips are expected to gain market share, according to a study by IBISWorld. The organization also reported veggie chips, especially pea and kale, have gained more sales over the past few years.
“We’ve noticed people buying more healthier offerings,” Archer said. “If they are buying a healthier sandwich in the deli, they’re not going to buy a bag of Jalapeño Cheetos. They’re going to buy the popped chips. I’ve never considered setting up an endcap of just those kinds of chips, but that might be an idea so customers can go right to them and not have to search.”
By all accounts, salty items—both traditional indulgent and BFY products—will continue to be a mainstay in the snacking world. In fact, c-stores should expect further growth because projected sales are slated to increase as much as 21% through 2019.
