Specialty Food Magazine is the leading publication for retailers, manufacturers and foodservice professionals in the specialty food trade. It provides news, trends and business-building insights that help readers keep their businesses competitive.
Issue link: https://specialtyfoodmagazine.epubxp.com/i/102355
THE CONSUMER KEY POINTS • Some 52 percent of condiment users say low sodium/sodium-free is an important quality to them when choosing products. This same percentage indicates the importance of all-natural products. • Half of survey respondents think it's important that condiments come in a squeezable container. • Some 82 percent of condiment users do so to add flavor to otherwise bland foods. As such, product messaging that emphasizes this benefit should be prioritized. • Sixty percent of users need a variety of condiment types/flavors to satisfy their tastes, indicating that the purchase of one condiment type does not rule out the purchase of another. More than one-third (37 percent) of condiment users enjoy trying new and different flavors. • Hispanics are the most frequent users of condiments and seem to use the greatest variety of products. This group averages use of 2.47 condiment types, whereas the general condiment user uses 2.08. Additionally, 10 percent of Hispanics surveyed use five or more types in a typical day. Promoting families of condiments that are formulated to complement one another may resonate with these consumers. APPEAL OF CONDIMENT FLAVORS Have tried Appealing Not appealing % % % Garlic 91 92 8 Cheese 88 93 7 Basil 80 88 12 Roasted vegetable 65 86 14 Fruit (mango, peach, pineapple, etc.) 73 83 17 New/Different Condiment Flavor Trial, by Flavor, April 2012 Base: 729 Internet users aged 18+ who enjoy trying new/different condiment flavors Tried it and like % 86 84 72 58 Tried it but don't like % 6 5 8 6 Haven't tried but sounds good % 7 9 16 28 Haven't tried and not interested % 2 3 4 8 64 9 18 8 SOURCE: MINTEL Garlic and cheese are flavors that most appeal to users who enjoy trying new/different products. Some 92 percent of these respondents find garlic flavor appealing and 93 percent are interested in cheese flavor. Basil, roasted vegetable and fruit flavors also garnered high degrees of consumer interest. 110 ❘ SPECIALTY FOOD MAGAZINE ❘ specialtyfood.com