The French food and drink market is evolving. As many as 35% of French consumers are prepared to change their lifestyle to be healthier, the second highest region in Europe.
As a result of French consumers evolving appetites, we saw new and innovative food and drink launches hit the shelves throughout 2015. Here, Caroline Roux, Research Manager Food & Drink UK, identifies 10 of the most inventive examples…
Mavrommátis Yaourt Grec (Greek Yogurt) is said to be made with 100% Greek cow’s milk and 10% drained for a thick texture and higher level of proteins, calcium, magnesium and vitamins. The Greek yogurt claims to promote good digestion, neutralise harmful bacteria and actively contribute to a healthy and nutritious diet. Younger French consumers are increasingly embracing snacking as an eating habit and for those who are seeking healthy snacking options, yogurt seems an obvious choice. In fact, 30% of French consumers aged 16-24 years old would like to see a wider variety of healthier snacks.
Huilerie F.J. Moog, has turned to a format perhaps more associated with the wine industry to promote their Bio Planète brand. Their 3L family pack comes in a ”bag-in-box” (“BIB”) format, complete with a dispensing nozzle. The French edible oil market is hugely competitive, with high levels of category penetration, with just 6% of French households claiming not to have purchased edible oil in the past six months. Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) is the most commonly purchased oil type, with three in five households buying this, while more than half of all households buy sunflower oil.
A quarter of French consumers currently use tea pods, and France is a key market for these capsules. Mintel research shows that the French have the highest penetration of coffee pods among Europe’s major continental markets. Lipton Grapefruit & Mandarin Green Tea Capsules are especially designed for the Nespresso range of coffee machines and are said to preserve the perfume of the tea for intense pleasure at each cup.
This walnut gelato is an artisan-made product from Italy, featuring local ingredients from Sorrento. For gelato ice cream makers, France offers huge sales potential. Despite their low consumption of gelato, French consumers are keen to see more of it. Just over two in five French ice cream consumers would like to see more gelato ice creams available in supermarkets and compared with under-34 year olds from Germany, Spain and Poland, this group in France are the most likely to want to see a wider choice of gelatos in retail.
Salakis Croque & Burger slices are made with 100% ewe’s milk and are said to give a delicious Mediterranean touch to sandwiches and burgers, whether hot or cold. In 2015, off the back of the rising popularity of premium burgers in foodservice, numerous brands in retail have launched cheese designed to feature in a burger.
La Gauthière Confitures new range of spreads seeks to stand out by clearly highlighting its high fruit content boldly front of pack. Fruit content across this range varies by recipe, from 57% for their Extra Pear recipe to as high as 78% for this Vine Peach flavour. Additionally, the brand has strong provenance and ethical community support messaging: the product is made in Provence by disabled workers of ESAT, an organisation that helps disabled people back into work.
This product is said to be the perfect way to easily consume green vegetables, by mixing them with fruits to give a sweet taste. It is free from added sugars, colourings, preservatives and gluten; and is suitable for vegetarians. The smooth notes of mango are said to be married to creamy banana which go with delicate spinach leaves, reaping many benefits. A flash pasteurised product, it is made up from 75% of fruit and 25% of vegetables.
A quarter of French consumers say that the description of the taste on bottle is a key factor that influences their choice of wine, compared to one in five Spanish consumers. Sparklips Vin Pétillant Aromatisé au Citron is Prosecco based and described as sweet and thrilling, delivering a pleasant lemon scent on the palate and a satisfying taste experience. The product retails in a 75cl bottle and was on display at Vinexpo 2015, Bordeaux.
This pack is interesting for a number of reasons. Firstly, the positioning of seasonings for salad is both unusual and a further indication that the category has the potential to break out from traditional main meal links and drive new usage occasions. Secondly, the range and number of ingredients used shows the product adds textural crunch and sweetness, while the use of ingredients such as marigold flavours will help tie into the growing trend for unusual less processed foods. Finally, this is a gourmet product sold through food specialists, however it is a reflection of the growing market for premium seasoning brands.
Nutrisens Sport Gâteau Bio Energy Gateau Préparation en Poudre pour Gâteau Saveur aux Amandes (Organic Almond Flavoured Powder Cake Mix) provides energy before exercise and is rich in vitamin B1, necessary for metabolism. The microwavable product can be oven baked in 20 minutes, and is suitable for consumption one hour before physical activity. This product meets the nutritional needs for immediate muscular effort during a competition or under special environment conditions.
Caroline Roux is Research Manager, Food & Drink at Mintel, heading up the global food and drink analyst team based in London and acting as a specialist for the dairy category. She provides robust consumer insights and realistic recommendations to dairy companies, tracking global innovation and consumer trends to assist clients in their growth strategies.
