The recent recession has encouraged more people to eat at home more often. This has created an opportunity for consumer packaged goods companies to take advantage of the need for shoppers to stock their shelves and pantries with side dishes that are economical and add variety to mealtime. The question is, how good a job have they done at capturing the imaginations of consumers to maximize their sales opportunities and connect with their key audiences in ways that develop loyalty as the recession eases?

The recent recession has encouraged more people to eat at home more often. This has created an opportunity for consumer packaged goods companies to take advantage of the need for shoppers to stock their shelves and pantries with side dishes that are economical and add variety to mealtime. The question is, how good a job have they done at capturing the imaginations of consumers to maximize their sales opportunities and connect with their key audiences in ways that develop loyalty as the recession eases?

For the first time ever, Mintel is releasing two separate reports on the side dish category. This one is focused on the market trends, company and brand sales, product development, advertising and promotion. The other is focused on the attitudes and behaviors of the consumers who drive the market and ultimately determine the success or failure of products. As this report is market-based, it provides:

An analysis of what drives segment performance, what the top brands are in each side dish category and what they are doing to stay ahead of the competition

An overview of some of the latest side dish innovations and which companies are at the forefront of new product introductions, as well as the rationale behind their launches

A breakdown of sales by retail channel and exploration of why some outlet types are more successful than others when it comes to side dishes

An exploration of the impact that teens and kids have on side dish purchase behavior and how companies can leverage this to their advantage

A comparison of name brand versus private label and shoppers’ attitudes toward each, as well as an indication of how their behavior will change post-recession

Factors that influence the decision to buy side dishes and why some consumers ignore the category entirely