What does the shift in generation mean for the prediction of food trends
Food preferences may change dramatically over time, and food professionals, from chefs to major manufacturers, must know which demographic their clients are so that they can effectively market to them.
But the shifts in tastes across generations are difficult to track because the latest trends in food, from plant-based to new international cuisines, may attract diverse customers based on how they’re presented.
There are a myriad of issues that food marketers and food manufacturers have to consider as generational shifts take place Are millennials being the people who love food? Are Gen Z getting there? What role will Gen X and baby boomers are playing in the food trends environment?
That’s the reason Datassentialdeveloped the report to look into the evolving landscape of consumer behavior with their database of Consumer Preferences database to examine the way preferences have changed in the course of time.
Spices and sauces drive food fashion awareness.
Sauces and spices set the stage for customers to be more familiar with new cuisines and foods. From kewpie mayo to Yuzu to adobo, tamarind and adobo sauces, spices and flavors are growing more quickly than ever before using Datassential’s Menu Adoption Cycle (MAC) which is the first additions to any food business that wishes to explore new trends. To consumers, these tastes regardless of the region of the world they originate from – can help make a difference in the introduction of new food styles. Spices, sauces and flavor continue to gain the most attention across different demographic categories.
Gen Z’s growing appetite for early-stage trends suggests that they are ahead of their older peers in testing new trends and are in an awareness of many trends before they are mainstream. Generation Z, born in 1997 is predicted to be the main focus of food manufacturers who are aiming to attract the attention of consumers with distinctive flavors.
Don’t rule out older customers.
Boomers, who were born from 1943 until 1964, are on the upswing with younger customers with regard to food trends awareness across every category. Boomers are a segment that the food industry should consider focusing on since they are making use of their retirement savings and leisure time to indulge in a desire for food. The most popular eastern, southern European and Jewish products are the most popular by Boomers and might be a great place to try out new flavors for those who are older.
Generation Y may not stay with the latest food trends
The millennials, also known as”the “foodie generation,” are conscious of the latest trends in food, but they aren’t always in love with them after they’ve experienced them. Although having a brand new food item be seen on menus or on a shelf in a supermarket is one thing, a singular focus on this generation, who was born between the year 1982 to 1996 might not be able to provide the an ideal loyalty to a brand.
However, Gen Xers and boomers, born between 1965 and 1981, typically wait longer to be aware of the latest trends, but when they do, they rank their love–percentage of those who enjoy or like it–higher than the millennials. Because of this, Gen X tends to be a key demographic to focus on for “proliferation-stage” trends, or those trends that have been adapted for mainstream appeal.
Consumers of all ages are becoming more informed about food trends thanks to the increasing popularity of food programs along with social media platforms, it’s still worth taking note of the shifting tastes of every generation in order to make sure that every new product at a table in a restaurant or in the supermarket aisle appeals to a specific type of customer. Knowing your customer’s preferences is more essential than ever before.
