Food Consumer Insights

Trend - Brands are introducing bacon products that have been infused, seasoned, or cured with unconventional or enhanced flavor profiles beyond traditional smoked or salted varieties. These products, spanning maple bourbon to cinnamon-crusted, allow consumers to elevate everyday meals with unique flavors.

Insight - Contemporary consumers are intriuged by novelty, aiming to satisfy the craving for new experiences and flavor combinations in their everyday purchases. In response, companies are transforming their products with new and exciting flavors, aiming to tap into the shareability and premiumization of everyday foods with their core offerings. These companies recognize that in the competitive meat category, unique flavor offerings help garner attention and build loyalty among new consumers.

Trend - What began as an online DIY phenomenon during the pandemic has evolved into a thriving sensory retail industry. Businesses like The Sloomoo Institute are expanding beyond digital spaces to create immersive in-person experiences centered around slime play, with physical locations in multiple cities and plans for global expansion.

Insight - Young consumers increasingly seek tactile experiences that complement their digital lives. Having grown up with online sensory content, Gen Z craves physical spaces that turn virtual trends into hands-on play. By employing young creators discovered online, these businesses create authentic community spaces that transform simple sensory play into premium experiential retail.

Trend - CPG brands are launching pancake mixes that are high in protein and low in carbs, offering a healthy alternative to traditional mixes, which are often high in carbohydrates. These products cater to health-conscious individuals looking for convenient ways to start their day with balanced nutrition.

Insight - Consumers are increasingly focused on achieving dietary goals, such as higher protein intake and reduced carbohydrate consumption. The rise of fitness-focused lifestyles, has led to a rejection of many typical comfort foods due to high carb content. By offering high-protein, low-carb pancake mixes, CPG brands appeal to a broad audience—from fitness enthusiasts to families looking for better breakfast options—enhancing their market relevance and consumer loyalty.

Trend - CPG brands are introducing frozen pizzas that are high in protein and low in carbs, offering both vegetarian and meat-based varieties. These products aim to cater to health-conscious consumers seeking convenient and satisfying meals that align with their dietary preferences.

Insight - Modern consumers are prioritizing foods that support fitness and dietary goals, such as high-protein and low-carb options. The rise in popularity of protein-packed diets, alongside the growing demand for convenient, ready-to-eat meals, has driven brands to create new CPG offerings. By launching high-protein, low-carb pizzas, brands meet consumer desires for healthier indulgences without sacrificing flavor or convenience, helping them stand out in a competitive market.

Trend - Pizza chains across Asia are introducing unconventional, buzz-worthy flavor combinations to generate strong reactions from consumers. With toppings like squid ink, mango, eggs, and more, these menu items satisfy the demand for curiosity-based purchases while encouraging social media sharing.

Insight - Consumers within hyper-competitive and over-saturated markets like Japan, South Korea, and China, are often looking for brands that dituinguish themselves through buzz-worthy product innovations. In response, QSR companies are gravitating toward shock-value ingredients to tweak their menus to local palates and attract consumers driven by curiosity purchases. Brands that cater to this demand can not only test out potential new menu items, but can align with consumers that value engaging brands.

Trend - Black Forest cake, an iconic German dessert layered with chocolate, cherries, and whipped cream, is resurfacing across modern bakeries, cafes, and dessert items. Once viewed as a nostalgic indulgence, it is now experiencing a resurgence in popularity, fueled by consumer interest in retro trends.

Insight - Before the rise of trendy flavors like cheesecake and red velvet, Black Forest cake served as a top choice for Millennial consumers, gracing birthday parties, celebrations, and festive occasions throughout the 90s. Recognizing the desire to return to these warm, simple times, brands are using the classic flavors of black forest to inspire contemporary desserts. These brands understand that these "comfort foods" offer a delicious way to relive fond memories while satisfying modern tastes.

Trend - Tapping into the viral social media craze, brands are creating indulgent treats that blend crispy Knafeh, pistachio cream, and smooth chocolate. These products appeal to both locals and international food lovers, merging traditional Middle Eastern ingredients with globally loved dessert options.

Insight - Consumers are naturally drawn to viral social media trends, driven by a fear of missing out and a curiosity for new and unconventional flavors. In response, brands are leveraging this buzz to launch their own takes on the dessert, catering to trend-conscious customers eager to stay ahead of the curve. By tapping into social media marketing tactics, these brands attract new audiences who seek products that reflect the latest food trends, ensuring they remain relevant in an ever-evolving market.

Trend - Snack brands are releasing on-the-go, ready-to-eat edamame snacks infused with a variety of spices and seasonings. These products aim to provide a healthy, protein-rich snack option that is both convenient and flavorful, while incorporating natural ingredients and flavorful seasonings.

Insight - Consumers are increasingly seeking healthy and convenient snack options that offer both nutrition and taste. The rise in health consciousness, combined with a fast-paced lifestyle, has led to a demand for grab-and-go snacks that do not compromise on quality or flavor. The pressure to provide innovative and appealing snack options has driven brands to develop spiced edamame snacks. These snacks cater to consumers' desires for high-protein, low-calorie options that are easy to enjoy on the move.

Trend - Snack brands are releasing on-the-go, ready-to-eat vegan snacks such as cookies, bars, and other treats. These products offer better-for-you alternatives that fit with dietary restrictions to provide delicious, nutritious, and portable snacks that offer a healthier alternative to traditional snacks.

Insight - Consumers are increasingly adopting plant-based diets and seeking convenient, healthy snacks. The rise in health consciousness and the desire for sustainable food options are driving this trend. Additionally, the fast-paced nature of modern life has heightened the demand for grab-and-go solutions that do not compromise on quality or nutrition. Snack brands are responding to these pressures by offering vegan snacks that cater to diverse dietary needs and strengthen brand loyalty.

Trend - Established food categories tied to Jewish culture and religious traditions are being reinvented through contemporary branding, sustainable practices, and convenience-focused formats. These products maintain authentic flavor profiles while updating ingredients and aesthetics to appeal to younger consumers who value both heritage and innovation.

Insight - Today's consumers, especially Gen Z, are rejecting the assimilation mindset of previous generations in favor of cultural pride and visibility. This shift has created a hunger for heritage foods that fit modern lifestyles—convenient, sustainable, and shareable on social media. By transforming labor-intensive traditional recipes into accessible everyday products with bold branding, companies satisfy younger consumers' dual desires: honoring their roots while living firmly in the present.