Market Trends of United States Energy Bar Industry
This section covers the major market trends shaping the US Energy Bar Market according to our research experts:
Increasing Demand for Convenient and Healthy Snacking Foods
The key driver of energy bar sales in the country is the demand for simple and healthful on-the-go food options. It has also become a perfect alternative for people who require quick meals or snacks due to its tiny packaging and strong energy content. Faced with more significant time constraints from work, childcare, and commuting, people in the nation often turn to convenience foods. Among convenient food options, energy bars gained popularity as a quick and healthy option, thus boosting its demand. In the same line, players in the manufacturers are targeting consumers with active lifestyles and busy schedules and molding their designs and packaging to consume energy bars as quick and energizing snacks. According to Snack Food & Wholesale Bakery, based on sales, in 2021, a few major manufacturers in the US energy bar market include Clid Bar & Co., General Mills, Simply Good Foods, Kind, and Quest. In 2021, Clif Bar & Co. was the leading granola bar vendor in the United States, with its sales accounting for about USD 722.19 million.
Furthermore, the growing demand for energy bars to meet a variety of customer needs has resulted in a variety of product improvements as well as a rise in the usage of healthy components. Gluten-free, vegan, low fat, low calorie, no added sugars, and sweetener labels are fueling market expansion.
Supermarkets/Hypermarkets Leads the Sales
In the United States, mass merchandisers, i.e., supermarkets/hypermarkets, have an inherent advantage in terms of sufficient shelf space and the bundling of products that are primarily aimed at achieving economies of scale. The supermarkets/hypermarkets provide a super-sized shopping experience with suitable displays and assortments of indulgent snacking products. They even provide a comfortable shopping experience by offering a whole lot of brands for their customers to choose from. For instance, according to US Census Bureau, last year, the United States supermarket and grocery store sales amounted to about USD 766 billion, an increase compared to the previous year, in which supermarket and grocery store sales were about USD 741.57 billion.
In the developed markets of the United States, the majority of energy bars are purchased through modern grocery retailers, such as supermarkets and hypermarkets, due to the easy access to supermarkets and hypermarkets, which plays a vital role in the positive growth of energy bar sales in the country. Moreover, in the United States, consumers can visit various types of supermarkets, such as natural/gourmet food supermarkets, warehouse grocery stores, and military commissaries. The most common type of supermarket in the country is the conventional kind, followed by the supercenter for groceries and mass merchandise. Such factors are expected to further boost sales through this channel during the forecast period.