The beverage market shifts to cater to consumers on specialty diets
Implications - More consumers than ever are following alternative diets, free from gluten and GMOs, which has prompted the promotion of beverages free from these ingredients. Capitalizing on the free-from trend and providing consumers with specialty diet restrictions with easy-to-identify options, this shift signifies that consumers are paying particularly close attention to what they consume, and expect brands to cater to these needs.
Trend Themes
1. Specialty Diet Awareness - Increased consumer awareness of alternative diets is driving demand for food and beverage options that cater to specific dietary restrictions.
2. Innovative Ingredients in Beverages - Beverage companies are using unique and unconventional ingredients like quinoa, guarana, and split peas to create healthy and delicious drinks that appeal to health-conscious consumers.
3. Vegan and Dairy-free Holidays - As consumers increasingly adopt vegan and vegetarian lifestyles, companies are innovating on traditional holiday foods and drinks to provide dairy-free and vegan options.
Industry Implications
1. Food and Beverage - Food and beverage companies need to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to consumer dietary trends, offering innovative and health-conscious products to meet consumer demand.
2. Health and Wellness - The health and wellness industry has a big opportunity to capitalize on the specialty diet trend and provide consumers with innovative solutions for their dietary restrictions.
3. Hospitality - Restaurants and cafes need to offer diverse food and drink options that cater to the growing number of consumers with specialty diets, including vegan and gluten-free menus.
