Snack mixes today show much promise for widespread appeal. “There is opportunity for growth in the snack mixes industry, as we are beginning to see consumers snack almost as much as they eat full meals,” says Trip Kadey, director of culinary, The French’s Food Co. LLC, Chester, NJ.
Recent statistics from IRI, Chicago, supports the company’s findings. Sales of trail mixes rose about 5 percent in the year ending March 20, 2016, clocking in at around $1 billion in total sales. Top vendors included Kars Nuts (up 8 percent), Snak Club (up 7 percent) and Kraft Foods Group (down 2.5 percent). Private label mixes posted significant growth at over 7 percent and more than $500 million in sales, representing the biggest share of the market by far.