Snack market survival demands innovation, says Intersnack UK Managing Director

The managing director of Intersnack UK says that a consumer “appetite for experimentation” is driving strong growth in a snacks market where the main business challenge is keeping pace with fast-changing consumer and retailer needs.

Richard Robinson told FoodManufacture.co.uk that 4% year-on-year growth within the UK snack market – and 10% value growth for its Penn State pretzel brand – reflected a trend towards home snacking and higher spending on ‘affordable’ treats during tough economic times.

A former business unit director within Northern Foods’ frozen division, Robinson said that work for Intersnack UK – which posted an £80m turnover last year and also produces brands such as Pom-Bear and Your Nuts – within the “hugely dynamic and scalable” snacks market, was exciting by comparison.

“Frozen is a relatively slow growing and traditional sector that can be quite conservative in terms of new product development. Unlike snacks where innovation is not just desirable but indispensable to success,” he said.

“This is one of the fastest moving segments of food and it’s vital to keep innovating to meet the needs of customers and consumers for new ideas.”