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Concern for Healthy Eating & Rising Energy Costs Are Just Two of the Factors Challenging the US Cookies Market

Posted on: Wednesday, 27 September 2006, 12:00 CDT

Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c42751)

has announced the addition of Cookies and Cookie Bars - US - August 2006

to their offering.

This report covers packaged cookies that are ready for consumption and

available through retail outlets such as grocery stores, convenience

stores, mass merchandisers, and drugstores. Cookie bars are typically

larger than cookies and individually wrapped. These bars are

differentiated from other snack bars in that they have a marketing

approach towards the cookie consumer.

We found that the cookie market is challenged on several fronts. Concern

for healthy eating, rising energy costs, and company restructuring have

all had a negative effect on total cookie sales. While some segments

have met these challenges head on and have realized strong growth, it

has not been enough to offset the drop in sales of standard cookies,

which represent over 70% of the market. This trend is likely to continue

for at least the next few years.

Key consumer findings include:

80% of respondents report that someone in their household eats cookies.

Percentage of respondents who frequently purchase cookies is up 10%

since 2004.

Nearly a quarter of all respondents look for trans-fat free labeling

when purchasing cookies.

We anticipate an increase in products containing no artificial colors,

flavorings, or preservatives. Shifts to premium and health-oriented

cookies will hold more appeal to adult consumers. Potential for market

growth lies in healthier ranges with less calorie and sugar content

and ingredients with a healthy appeal such as green tea, yogurt, and

fruit.

In this report, we clearly identify the principal external factors

driving or curtailing growth. Exclusive consumer research reveals the

attitudes, needs and behavior of consumers, with analysis broken down

both by demographic characteristics, and by segment.

Six years of specific sales data provide a factual and impartial

presentation of the market as a whole. We also evaluate the

performance of individual sectors in the market, and provides

information about the major companies and brands. Using the SPSS

forecasting package, we create a five-year forecast of U.S. retail

sales, revealing potential opportunities for growth and product

development.

Cookie types included in this report are:

Butter

Chocolate chip

Fruit/fig

Fudge-covered

Ginger/oatmeal

Sandwich chocolate

Sandwich other

Shortbread

Wafers

Seasonal assortments

Types of cookie bars covered includes:

Cookie/candy combinations

Cookie-based bars

Chocolate enrobed cookies

Large cookie sandwiches

This report contains US IRI InfoScan data.

Companies Mentioned

Kraft

Kellogg Company

McKee Foods

Pepperidge Farm

Catterton Partners

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c42751

Source: Business Wire

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