Melinda Rasmussen, DecoPac’s marketing communications manager, shares that Edible Expressions is an important trend spotlighted by DecoPac for everyday events.

“Celebrating life’s everyday moments are important,” Rasmussen says, listing little vignettes like gender reveal or baby cakes as examples of special events that can be celebrated through cake.

Edible Expressions is an everyday or seasonal program that gives consumers the opportunity to share a sentiment of love, caring, appreciation, or “just because” to a special someone by means of an instore bakery product.

No special occasion is necessary. Say it with sweets!

“Edible Expressions are fun ways to really brighten their days,” Rasmussen explains.

Limited Time Offers

In Rich’s Quarterly Consumer Sentiment Tracking Survey (Dec. 2022), 40% of consumers said they do not plan to change their bakery purchasing habits, but 20% are saying they plan to purchase more from retail in-store bakeries at the grocery store, and 15% are planning on purchasing more from quick-service retail bakeries (like Panera, Dunkin Donuts, etc.), explains Alyssa Barrett, customer marketing manager – convenience, Rich Products, Buffalo, New York.

Offering LTOs (limited time offers) and seasonal flavors help generate excitement and entice consumers to keep coming back. When it comes to LTOs, many consumers purchase them on impulse: according to Datassential's LTOs Keynote Report of October ‘22, 63% of consumers' last LTO was an impulse purchase. From the operator perspective, 61% say that they're a profit center for their business, making LTO strategy critical to success.

Why is snacking in such high demand? Snacking and eating on-the-go have become a huge area of opportunity as consumers’ schedules continue to be flexible. We’ve seen an increase in the selection of grab-and-go options in the industry, including better-for-you and higher quality offerings.

Packaged sweet snacks are a high impulse item for consumers. To capture these impulse purchases, Rich’s suggests that retailers display packaged sweet snacks in highly visible areas, such as near the register, have eye-catching packaging, offer as part of a special promotion, or highlight a new/unique flavor.

From the operator perspective, 61% say that they're a profit center for their business, making LTO strategy critical to success.

“Packaged sweet snacks are a high impulse item for consumers,” Barrett says. “To capture these impulse purchases, we suggest that retailers display packaged sweet snacks in highly visible areas – such as near the register, have eye-catching packaging, offer as part of a special promotion, or highlight a new/unique flavor.”