US specialty food prize tops $88.3bn in 2013: 'Millennials are talking about specialty stores in the same way that they talk about restaurants'

By Elaine Watson

- Last updated on GMT

US specialty food prize tops $88.3bn in 2013: 'Millennials are talking about specialty stores in the same way that they talk about restaurants'

Related tags Retailing

At $88.3bn in 2013, the size of the US specialty food prize is already mouthwatering, and if current trends continue (sales grew 9.6% in 2012 and 8% in 2013), it will blast through the $100bn barrier in 2015. But which categories are growing most rapidly?

Presenting data from Mintel International and SPINS at the Fancy Foods Show in New York, Mintel Consulting director David Lockwood said that the fastest growing categories at retail* in the period 2011-2013 were nut and seed butters (dollar sales were up 51.6% - driven in part by higher prices, as unit sales were up a more modest 6.6%), eggs (+35.9%) and frozen desserts (+28.2%).

However, there was also strong dollar sales growth in specialty ready-to-drink tea and coffee (+25.4%); yogurt & kefir (+20.4%); and chips, pretzels and snacks (+19.1%), he said.

“Specialty food thrived throughout the recession, and as the economy stabilizes, the industry will expand by conquering new channels, redefining upscale and redefining better for you at a price you can afford.”

Specialty foods accounted for 10.4% of the total food retail market in 2013

Across all specialty food segments, sales rose 15.9% during 2011-2013, triple the 5.2% growth in the overall food & beverage market, added Ron Tanner, vice president of philanthropy, government, and industry relations at the Specialty Foods Association, which hosts the show.

Specialty foods accounted for 10.4% of the total food retail market in 2013.”

Seasnax new
Sales of specialty chips, pretzels and snacks surged 19.1% between 2011 and 2013

And while specialty foods are stocked in both specialty/natural and mainstream food retail stores, they are performing much more strongly in the former channels, he said, with specialty food sales up 42.4% in specialty stores, up 33.8% in natural stores and up 6.9% in mainstream food stores over the 2011-2013 period (data excludes Trader Joes, Whole Foods & Walmart), he added.

It’s become cool to be a specialty food retailer

“Mainstream supermarkets still account for around two thirds of specialty food sales but their share is slipping. It’s kind of become cool to be a specialty food retailer. Millennials are starting to talk about some specialty stores in the same way that they talk about restaurants.”

Meanwhile, there has been strong growth in direct to consumer sales via online channels and via farmer’s markets in the US, he said, with numbers surging from 2,500 in 2000 to more than 8,000 in 2013.

However, of the $88.3bn sales figure for specialty food sales in 2013, the vast majority (80%) was from retail sales, with 20% from foodservice, he said.

Millennials are starting to talk about some specialty stores in the same way that they talk about their favorite restaurants

As for trends, foods making local, all-natural and organic claims are top of mind for the industry, accounting for 23%, 41% and 18% of sales in 2013 respectively, he said.

Victoria's kitchen almond water
Ron Tanner: "It’s kind of become cool to be a specialty food retailer. "Millennials are starting to talk about some specialty food stores in the same way that they talk about restaurants.”

However, looking ahead three years, retailers, brokers and manufacturers surveyed by the Specialty Foods Association all predicted stronger growth in non-GMO, Fairtrade, eco-friendly & sustainability claims, while gluten-free was top of the list for future product development plans.

All players predict surge in non-GMO, Fairtrade, eco-friendly & sustainability claims

Finally, commenting on some of the frustrations expressed by specialty food retailers in the survey, he said that their most common gripes were manufacturers putting arbitrary (way too early) date codes on products, and foods not being ‘fancy’ enough.

Brokers, meanwhile, complained about “the number of people trying to get into the business who have no idea what they are doing”.

For more details plus market definitions, click HERE​.

Click HERE​ to read about the winners of the SOFI awards.

*Retail sales data excludes Trader Joe’s, Walmart, private label and Whole Foods Market.

Related news

Show more

Related products

show more

Replacement Isn't the Future. Variety Is.

Replacement Isn't the Future. Variety Is.

Content provided by ADM | 22-Mar-2024 | White Paper

Successfully navigating the intersection of food and technology can help your business meet evolving consumer demands.

Consumer Attitudes on Ultra-Processed Foods Revealed

Consumer Attitudes on Ultra-Processed Foods Revealed

Content provided by Ayana Bio | 12-Jan-2024 | White Paper

Ayana Bio conducted the Ultra-Processed Food (UPF) Pulse survey, offering insight into consumers’ willingness to consume UPFs, as well as the variables...

Future Food-Tech San Francisco, March 21-22, 2024

Future Food-Tech San Francisco, March 21-22, 2024

Content provided by Rethink Events Ltd | 11-Jan-2024 | Event Programme

Future Food-Tech is the go-to meeting place for the food-tech industry to collaborate towards a healthier food system for people and planet.

Palate Predictions: Top Flavor Trends for 2024

Palate Predictions: Top Flavor Trends for 2024

Content provided by T. Hasegawa USA | 08-Jan-2024 | Application Note

As consumers seek increased value and experience from food and beverages, the industry relies on research to predict category trends. Studying trends that...

Related suppliers

1 comment

Brain Fuel Study Aid

Posted by JonLeejoLTD,

Hi,

We are introducing our new product with great pride and pleasure ‘Brain Abundance’ to you. Below is a great full in depth 20 minute overview presentation that gives you full details on the company, the flagship product Brain Fuel Plus, the opportunity, and compensation plan presentation. #SeeMoreAt: http://www.nzaustralia.brainabundance.com/

It is famous product in many overseas market. We are providing this to you at reasonably priced. Our claims are only based on different feedbacks received from various clients and not based on self-judgment.

We humbly request you to try this item in your centers and we assure you that you would be in a great pleasure with the results. Our Senior Sales men would be ready to keep in touch with you to describe you more about our product.

Sincerely

Report abuse

Follow us

Products

View more

Webinars