Katrina Diamonon, principal consumer insight at Canadean, said: “While it is important for brands to acknowledge and address the snacking needs of all consumers, it is particularly crucial to understand the motivations of younger consumers.
“Not only are they more frequent snackers, but their purchase behaviours and preferences will strongly influence other current consumers and also subsequent generations as they pass on these traits to their children.”
The report finds that consumers snack for a variety of reasons such as the functional need for an energy or nutritional boost, the psychological need to de-stress or indulge, and needs dictated by occasion, such as watching a movie, attending a sporting event, or socialising with friends.