Findings: Gen Z’s snacking habits have shifted since the pandemic, with many replacing meals with snacks for convenience. While Gen Z has become the leading generation of snackers, snacking frequency has slightly declined from 2023. Popular snack choices include Cheetos, Doritos, and Smartfood Popcorn.
Key Takeaway: Snacking is now a lifestyle choice for Gen Z, emphasizing convenience and variety. CPG brands should leverage this trend by aligning with Gen Z’s interests, such as fitness, video gaming, and celebrity endorsements.
Trend: Increased snacking frequency among Gen Z, with snacking replacing traditional meals for convenience.
Consumer Motivation: Gen Z prioritizes convenience and variety in snacking, often influenced by social trends, endorsements, and lifestyle habits.
What is Driving Trend: Disrupted routines, preference for flexible eating schedules, and the appeal of convenient snack options drive Gen Z’s shift to frequent snacking.
Target Demographic: Gen Z, particularly those living in suburbs, with lower annual incomes, a high interest in video gaming, and active lifestyles.
Description of Products or Services: Popular snack products include salty snacks like Cheetos, Doritos, and Smartfood Popcorn, with potential for CPG brands to develop snack products aligned with Gen Z’s lifestyle preferences.
Consumer Age Range: Primarily Gen Z adults (18-24).
Conclusions: CPG brands targeting Gen Z should emphasize convenient and engaging snack options that resonate with their lifestyles and interests.
Implications for Brands: Brands can benefit from creating snack products that appeal to Gen Z’s active and digitally connected lifestyles, utilizing influencers and appealing to their love for video gaming and fitness.
Implications for Society: This trend reflects a move away from traditional meal structures, with younger generations embracing snacking as part of a flexible lifestyle.
Implications for Consumers: Gen Z consumers benefit from a wider variety of convenient snack options that suit their active and dynamic routines.
Implications for the Future: As Gen Z continues to embrace snacking, brands will need to keep pace with their preferences for variety, convenience, and relevance.
Consumer Trend: Snacking as a lifestyle choice for Gen Z, with an emphasis on convenience and digital influence.
Consumer Sub Trend: Increased influence of celebrity endorsements and gaming culture on snack choices.
Big Social Trend: The shift towards flexible, snack-oriented eating habits among younger generations.
Local Trend: U.S. Gen Z consumers demonstrate a strong preference for snack brands that align with their lifestyle and interests.
Worldwide Social Trend: Global shift towards convenient, flexible snacking as a lifestyle among younger demographics.
Name of Big Trend Implied: “Lifestyle Snacking.”
Name of Big Social Trend Implied: “Convenience-Driven Eating.”
Social Drive: A collective interest in flexibility, convenience, and lifestyle alignment in food choices.
Learnings for Companies in 2025: CPG brands should target Gen Z through convenient snack options that resonate with their interests, like fitness and gaming, and use digital influencers to build engagement.
Strategy Recommendations for Companies in 2025:
Emphasize convenient, portable snack options with engaging branding.
Leverage endorsements and align with lifestyle trends, such as gaming and fitness.
Create products that cater to flexible, snack-based eating habits.
Final Sentence (Key Concept): "For Gen Z, snacking is a lifestyle choice driven by convenience and flexibility, presenting CPG brands with opportunities to engage through targeted, lifestyle-aligned products and digital influence."
What Brands & Companies Should Do in 2025: Brands should focus on creating snack products that align with Gen Z’s lifestyle preferences and embrace digital and influencer marketing strategies to build strong brand connections. Emphasizing convenience and relevance can help brands stay competitive in the evolving snack market.
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