Customers have more niche products to choose from than ever
Implications - More food allergies, intolerances, discerning tastes, and dietary preferences have actually made it less difficult to find niche dietary foods. Just as tofu went from being an exotic export to a mainstream commodity, products catering to gluten-free and vegan diets are becoming more readily available.
Trend Themes
1. Niche Dietary Foods - Increasing demand for niche dietary foods caters to food allergies, intolerances and personalized dietary preferences.
2. Locavore Dining - The focus on locally-sourced ingredients in the fast food industry offers an opportunity for companies to create environmentally sustainable and seasonally-driven menus.
3. Specialized Social Networking - Social networking and dating apps focused on niche lifestyle choices, such as gluten-free or vegan, create communities of like-minded individuals and offer potential for market growth.
Industry Implications
1. Food and Beverage - Innovations in dietary foods and locavore dining are disrupting traditional ideas of food consumption and have huge potential to change consumer habits in the food industry.
2. Social Networking/dating - Niche social networking and dating apps have the potential to revolutionize the way people connect and interact online, catering to specific lifestyles and personal preferences.
3. Packaging and Design - Innovative packaging design for food products caters to increasingly health-conscious and eco-conscious consumers, creating new opportunities for design agencies and packaging manufacturers.
