FALLING bread sales show that consumers are looking for less traditional lunch box fillers says Chloe Feminier, head of insight and planning at Bel UK.
Feminier said recent Kantar Worldpanel figures revealed that bread sales are down by £138.3m year on year but Nielsen research figures showed that the snacking and lunchbox cheese market is currently valued at £212.7m.
She added: “As well as flavour and format, retailers also need to take into consideration the growing trend among adult consumers for a ‘better for you’ option.
“Bel UK works to ensure that its products meet and exceed the ever-changing needs of the consumer.”
Bel says its Laughing Cow brand accounts for two thirds of all cheese triangles consumed in the UK and the brand has introduced a number of new lunchtime products in the past year.
Among those is Dip & Crunch – in Original, Light, and Tomato & Oregano flavours.
“Through the latter half of 2016 and into 2017 we are likely to see a continued shift towards less bread-centric alternatives as more consumers look for trendier options,” Feminier said.
