“Emerging Trends in Healthy Snacking: The Challenge of Mainstream Retail for Innovative Brands Like Wild Zora”
A decade ago, it would have been difficult to envision the world’s largest retailer offering snack bars made from ground beef, kale, and cayenne pepper. However, the growing interest in emerging brands and unique, flavor-rich ingredients has sparked a consumer demand for healthy snack options. Despite its unconventional appeal, Wild Zora’s snack bars align with significant nutrition trends influencing the food sector, such as being gluten-free, protein-rich, paleo-friendly, minimally processed, and low in glycemic index. These bars also tap into the booming $3 billion meat snack industry but set themselves apart by incorporating fruits and vegetables.
One might assume that this healthy profile would guarantee the bars flying off the shelves—and they do at natural and organic retailers like Whole Foods. Yet, according to Tabin, Wild Zora faces challenges in gaining customer trial at mainstream retail locations. This situation highlights a dilemma for mainstream retailers eager to leverage the growth and excitement surrounding emerging brands, but often insufficient in providing the necessary support for these brands to thrive. Slotting fees, distribution hurdles, and simply gaining visibility with buyers pose significant challenges for new companies.
Brands like Wild Zora, which differ from conventional products that successfully secure shelf space, often require an extra push to encourage customers to try them. Although more consumers are indulging in snacks, they might hesitate to sample products with ingredients that resemble those found in a dinner recipe. For instance, last year, Farmer’s Pantry introduced Meal Snacks, a similar offering designed as a meal replacement. Whether either of these products will achieve success remains to be seen. Additionally, while discussing nutrition, it’s important to note the differences between calcium citrate and calcium carbonate, especially in terms of absorption and benefits, which may influence consumer choices in healthy snacking.
