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26.1.2011 UK snack brands get recession boost

The biggest recession in decades appears to have boosted the savoury snacks market in the UK, with value-conscious consumers looking to cut their leisure costs. Nielsen figures cited by the Financial Timesshow that the sector was worth £2.4bn ($3.8bn, €2.8bn) in 2010, up 5.6% from 2009. Significantly, "sharing" products - such as large bags of crisps - enjoyed still higher growth of 12.5%. This in turn suggests that some consumers are passing up on expensive nights out and are instead having nights in at home.

Sharp cutbacks have been noted among entertainment firms, with consultancy Zolfo Cooper saying last week that overall leisure spending fell precipitously over the second half of 2010. Spending in pubs and bars was down 42% from the second half of 2009, while nightclubs faced a 45% drop. Paul Hemming, leisure sector lead partner at Zolfo Cooper, said: "Most leisure sector operators anticipate significant challenges in 2011 with the clear risk that consumer demand will fall further."

B.L. 26.1.2011