Brands sweeten food and beverage products with dates
Trend - Date-sweetened snacks and beverages are increasingly popular as brands look to reduce the amount of refined sugars they use. Products in this space include everything from canned coffees to chocolate bars.
Insight - Consumers today are more aware of what ingredients might be harmful to their health when consumed in excess. However, with diet culture now adapting to be more flexible and body-positive, they're more likely to prioritize "responsible" indulgence rather than restricting themselves altogether. Brands that help consumers do this will be increasingly relevant in the food and beverage space.
Insight - Consumers today are more aware of what ingredients might be harmful to their health when consumed in excess. However, with diet culture now adapting to be more flexible and body-positive, they're more likely to prioritize "responsible" indulgence rather than restricting themselves altogether. Brands that help consumers do this will be increasingly relevant in the food and beverage space.
Workshop Question - How is your brand catering to consumers' desire to indulge responsibly?
Trend Themes
1. Healthy Indulgence - Consumers are looking for better-for-you options that offer indulgence without compromising their health, creating an opportunity for brands to create products that prioritize responsible indulgence over restriction.
2. Clean Label - Consumers are seeking out products made with simple, natural ingredients, with a particular focus on natural sweeteners like dates, highlighting the opportunity for brands to offer a clean-label variant of existing products.
3. Direct-to-consumer - Brands are using a direct-to-consumer model as a way to reach consumers seeking out healthy snacks and beverages, offering an opportunity to eliminate middlemen and create loyal, personalized relationships with customers.
Industry Implications
1. Food and Beverage - The food and beverage industry can use date sweeteners to add a healthier, natural option to replace refined sugar that appeals to health-conscious consumers.
2. Confectionery Industry - The confectionery industry can use date sweeteners to create healthier snack options that appeal to the growing number of consumers who are looking for indulgent and healthy treats.
3. E-commerce - The e-commerce industry can use D2C models to create personalized relationships while reducing costs and creating a seamless customer experience.
