Global Snacks Packaging: Staying Relevant Through Pack Sizing Strategies

Snacks to drive packaging volume growth to 2021

With 39% of food packaging unit volumes globally, snacks is on track to generate the highest unit volume increase over 2017-2021. Global growth will largely be fuelled by the smallest pack size brackets – 0-50g and 50- 100g – with these allowing products to be easily afforded across large areas of Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, and Latin America.

Smaller pack sizes to help redefine conventional snacks across mature markets globally

Through introducing smaller pack formats, manufacturers of confectionery, biscuits, savoury snacks and ice cream can boost value sales and withstand greater economic pressure. Snacks can also thereby adapt to new consumer preoccupations regarding health and consumption patterns.

“Shrinkflation” an increasingly delicate operation, as consumer savviness increases and trust needs to be regained

Brand owners will continue adjusting pack sizes disproportionally to the retail unit price, as a way of keeping control over operational costs amid toughening competition and/or poor economic conditions. This has, however, become a riskier route, as consumers are more and more aware of the practice and are presented with a wider choice of products to snack on.

Consuming less but better (…and more frequently)

Anti-sugar policies and consumer sentiment are causing many manufacturers of conventional snacks to reposition their offerings to better answer health concerns. Smaller treats in different pack sizes can convey greater calorie control, or a premium image fitting with an organic positioning.

Widening snacks’ consumption occasions with more functional pack solutions

Pack sizing, but also the choice of a rigid plastic container or pouch, can help inject added value for the end consumer in the form of greater suitability for consumption on the move and for sharing in a social context.