The retail pipeline is continuing to be filled with peanut products. As of July 2019, new peanut product launches totaled 565, with July being the most active month. Snacks remain the largest and brightest category, increasing 6% in Q2 2019 compared to 2018, and an area that’s ripe with exciting new applications. Here are five brands that are pursuing innovations with peanut products to meet consumers’ needs.
1. General Mills’ Nature Valley brand has created a unique snack that updates the nostalgic childhood treat of the chocolate peanut butter wafer bar. Referring to the inspire for the new product, Carly Anderson, marketing manager for Nature Valley, said, “the [bar] category seemed to lack in products that had both real food and sweet indulgence. And the traditional wafer had never really been a part of the grain aisle before,” according to a company blog post. After an exciting development process, Nature Valley Crispy Creamy Wafer Bars in peanut butter and chocolate peanut butter flavors launched earlier this summer. The brand is excited about the innovation and created a video to give an inside look at how it was created. In a Mintel panel, 55 percent of consumers reported that they likely or definitely would buy this product, significantly outperforming its subcategory.
2. Kraft Heinz also introduced Sweet and Salty Cinnamon Nutty Snack Mix under the Planters brand. The flavor-packed snack combines cinnamon brown sugar crispy coated peanuts with savory maple bacon-flavored sesame sticks, rich cocoa peanuts and crunchy pretzels for a satisfying snacking experience. Forty-six percent of consumers in Mintel’s panel responded that they likely or definitely would buy this product, outperforming its subcategory.
3. Beer Nuts is innovating in both packaging and flavor with its new Cantina Mix in a beer bottled-shaped bag. “Our Cantina Mix is pretty close to a trip to Cabo,” according to the company website. “Enjoy bold flavors of guacamole, chili, and lemon, plus our sweet and salty BEER NUTS® Original Peanuts.” Forty-two percent of Mintel’s consumer panel responded that they likely or definitely would buy this product, again outperforming the subcategory.
4. Kellogg’s Special K brand has relaunched a line of protein meal bars including a chocolate peanut butter flavor. The bars contain 12 grams of protein, 10% DV of magnesium, 10% DV of vitamin D and 20% DV of calcium—all delivered with the irresistible flavor of peanut butter and chocolate. Mintel reports that 47% of consumers in their panel responded that they likely or definitely would buy this product, significantly outperforming its subcategory.
5. Perfect Snacks, maker of the top-selling refrigerated Perfect Bar, has launched Peanut Bites. Available in peanut butter and chocolate peanut butter flavors, “Perfect Bites are a fresh-from-the-fridge, bite-sized snack made with organic peanut butter, honey, whole food protein and superfoods. With four servings per cup, Perfect Bites is a shareable and portable treat for any time of day,” according to the company’s press release. The company expanded outside of bars after hearing from their customers “that a portioned, portable snack to enjoy during other day parts would help them stick to their healthy habits throughout their day, without compromising on quality or taste,” said Perfect Snacks president and co-founder Leigh Keith. “The initial feedback in retail has been incredibly positive and we look forward to further expansion nationwide.” The company also enjoyed a recent profile in Forbes, which centers on a family-favorite peanut butter bar recipe.
“These new products highlight both the healthy and indulgent food experiences that consumers are looking for today,” said National Peanut Board Marketing and Communications Manager Lauren Highfill Williams. “Well-loved flavors like peanut butter and chocolate peanut butter are outstanding vehicles for product innovation. And, consumers are gravitating toward globally inspired flavors where peanuts have a place as well.”
New product launches include new formulations, new packaging, relaunches, new products and new variety/range extension.