Bold Flavors
Chips with bold flavors, like Zapp's Kettle Potato Chips in Voodoo,
which has a sweet, smokey, salty Cajun taste (and a cult following),
is the store's bestselling chip. According to its packaging, it was
created by accident after an employee dropped a pallet of spices,
tasted the mixture of five flavors, and declared it "delicious." Locally
produced Low Country Kettle Potato Chips in Spicy Pimento Cheese
and Bloody Mary flavors, also sell well. When bringing in new
product, Caradonna considers a snack's packaging, and whether
it has an upscale feel. "It's kind of like wine, if it doesn't look
attractive, it's hard to buy. So it may be great tasting but if the bag is
blah, you're not going to sell it."
Imported snacks also appeal to Caviar & Bananas' shoppers
and Caradonna merchandises items from Europe on a large marble
table. "We sell an astronomical amount of Torres Chips from
Spain," he says. "They come in Black Truffle and Iberian Ham
flavors. People go crazy for them because you can't get anything
like that anywhere else in town." Dutch Van Strien Cheese Straws
and The Pea Green Boat Cheese Sables with Fennel and Chilli from
Scotland are also popular. "These almost taste like the burnt end of
a pizza crust, and they are delicious," Caradonna says.
Given its clientele, Caviar & Bananas is wise to merchandise
international flavors which appeal to members of Gen Z. "Latin,
Asian and Middle Eastern cuisines have been gaining traction
with differentiation taking place among sub-regions, and these
international cuisines all deliver bold flavor profiles featuring sweet,
spice, and heavily seasoned dishes," according to Mintel. It finds
that curry, adobo, Baharat, and kimchi flavors are well positioned
to gain favor among young consumers.
"Since snack formats are lower stakes, it's a great place for
companies to deliver interesting flavor profiles and it's where
consumers like to play and have fun," says Balanko.
Mikso Vegetable Chips
Brewer's Crackers Baked Pita Chips
SUMMER 2021 25
Fastest Growing
Chips, Pretzels, Snacks
Tortilla and Corn Chips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20.5%
Pretzels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11.6%
Potato Chips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21.7%
Popcorn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8.4%
Puffed Snacks and Straws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.5%
Snacks Other Alternative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18.9%
Chips, Veg, and Other Alternative . . . . . . . 4.5%
Pita and Bagel Chips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8.4%
Popcorn Microwave and Unpopped . . . . . . 31.5%
Pork Rinds and Meat Crisps . . . . . . . . . . . . 28.5%
*Ordered by sales with % growth for 2019-2020
SOURCE: STATE OF THE SPECIALTY INDUSTRY REPORT
Julie Gallagher is managing editor for Specialty Food.
