Slurping Up Smoothies
Smoothies are remarkably flexible things. They can be snacks or treats, or they can be healthy enough to replace a meal. And the flavor combinations are almost endless.
So it's no wonder research firm Mintel recently found that the U.S. smoothie market is slurping up $2 billion in annual sales. That caps a five-year market boom that's seen smoothie sales increase by more than 80 percent.
Mintel says that with on-the-go dining and snacking moving to the American meal forefront, the U.S. smoothie market has been flooded with consumers looking for a quick portable meal alternative. Consumers are embracing the trend in a major way, Mintel says, and for a variety of different reasons.
* The market for health-conscious products continues to grow rapidly. Smoothies have quickly become part of the American landscape, with more than 4,000 retail locations reported in the U.S. last year. According to Mintel's consumer research, more than half of respondents in the 18- to 34-year-old range said that they had a smoothie in the last month.
* The smoothie industry is using emerging flavors, such as açaí and green tea, and hybrids of smoothies with other drink types. New nutrient "boosts" feed consumer need for evolving offerings as well. Smoothie companies have also remained on track with current food trends, utilizing "all-natural," low-calorie and other key buzz properties to build sales.
* In contrast with yogurt drinks, 39 percent of Mintel respondents agreed or strongly agreed that "smoothies are healthier than drinks made with yogurt."
* Similarly, more than half of consumers agreed or strongly agreed that "smoothies taste better than yogurt drinks," with yogurts getting only 15 percent.
How about your family? Are you smoothie drinkers? What's your favorite?
[strawberry image by Ernest von Rosen, www.amgmedia.com]
