New flavors, products help drive consumers ‘nuts’

Consumer interest in better-for-you snacks, and a stream of new product introductions from manufacturers, have led to continued growth in the nut category.

While nut category dollar sales overall only grew 2% in the drug channel for the 52 weeks ended Sept. 6, according to Information Resources Inc., the category has seen significant growth from new introductions from Planters NUTrition brand and Frito-Lay’s TrueNorth.

Chris Clark, a spokesman for the Snack Food Association, said new flavors, products and packaging have contributed to growth. “While category growth slowed last year compared to the rapid growth we had been seeing over the past few years, there’s still been a lot of action in the category,” he said. “Premium resealable pack aging, canisters and 100-calorie packs and new flavors—particularly spicy and sweet/savory combinations—also have contributed to category growth.”

TrueNorth has been a big hit in the category. IRI data indicated the brand, which includes nut crisps and nut and fruit clusters, has grown more than 170% since its launch last year. Katherine Ritchey, a spokeswoman for Frito-Lay, said consumers have responded to a healthy, great-tasting snack that’s 100% natural and offers 4 g of protein in each 1-oz. serving. “We’ve raised consumers’ expectations of what a nut snack can be,” she said. TrueNorth recently rolled out three new varieties: apple cinnamon and citrus burst clusters, and almond cranberry crisps.

Blue Diamond’s dollar sales were up nearly 37%, while Planters NUTrition brand surged 16%, according to IRI. Planters’ Daybreak Blend trail mixes, which combine granola clusters with dried fruits and nuts, have been popular. Planters also recently introduced Harvest 100 Percent Natural Nuts and Trail Mixes, mixes that are all-natural and have a lower sodium content than many other trail mixes.