About the market:

Sales of crisps and snacks increased by 10.1% between 2000 and 2003 to peak at £2,386 million. A decline of 3.5% in 2004, however, took retail sales to £2,303 million. The key factor currently impacting on the crisps and savoury snacks market is public concern regarding rising levels of obesity and the need for many to follow a healthier more balanced diet.

The crisps sector accounts for just over 56% of total crisps and savoury snack sales. Within the crisps sector, sales of added value/premium crisps saw their share of sales increase from 20% in 2000 to 26% in 2004. Within the savoury snacks sector, stacking chips have struggled to maintain their value, while the share of sales accounted for by child-oriented products has declined.”

About Mintel’s report…

Mintel’s research provides a series of essential findings for all those who need to know ‘what’s next’ for the crisps and snacks market. Pooling together the latest consumer research and freshest market analysis, Mintel’s research answers all the vital questions surrounding the market.

Mintel's new report offers you the insight and inspiration you need for designing clever, creative and profitable marketing strategies in the market. Use Mintel's research to:

Understand the major market trends and drivers

Track consumption trends of crisps and snacks

Discover which consumers purchase what types of crisps and snacks and how frequently

Monitor attitudes and behaviour towards crisps and savoury snacks

Identify levels of brand loyalty and the prominence of snack avoidance as a route to weight loss

Establish new consumer typologies, based on attitudes towards crisps and snacks and find out how to best reach them with the most effective marketing communications

Pin point which sectors have the greatest potential for future growth and why.

Learn about the major manufacturers, their market share and assess the potential for new entrants in the market

Measure market sizes and forecasts and build realistic business models.

Intriguing findings include…

Heavy usage of crisps is concentrated among those consumers in socio-economic categories C2 and D. Those in groups C1 and C2 are the most likely to eat savoury snacks (around 59%), whereas those in group E are the least likely to do so (48.1%).

29.4% of Men and 25.7% of women eat potato crisps or snacks at least two or three times a week.

Women (20%) are far more likely than men (12%) to purchase low-fat crisps.