Today, snacks have become more ritual than routine. With sales poised to reach over $32.6 billion by 2026, it doesn’t matter whether your snacks are savory or sweet; all that matters is that they provide munchers with the elevated experience they are looking for. From highly indulgent to packed with protein, let’s explore what’s driving consumer cravings in 2025 and beyond—while also examining how packaging plays a crucial role in convenience, freshness, and brand storytelling.
Nutritional Powerhouses
It’s no surprise that consumers continue to prioritize their health, even when it comes to snacking. According to the Snack Index by Frito Lay and Quaker, 55% of consumers consider protein the most important driver for a healthy snack. That’s paving the way for some newer-to-market options, including plant-based protein sources like algae. With exceptional nutritional benefits such as high protein and essential amino acids, algae-based products, including seaweed, are an excellent alternative to meat, eggs and dairy.
Although these nutrient-rich options have the potential to succeed in the already robust protein-packed market, snacks like seaweed can be thin and fragile, making them more difficult to package properly. Adequate packaging, including shipping boxes designed specifically for fragile products, will be vital for product preservation during shipping and shelving.
A Focus on Flavor
Although nutritional benefits remain a mainstay in snack choices, consumers also want something pleasing to the palate. According to the Snack Index, taste remains a top priority across generations, with nearly three-quarters of consumers unwilling to compromise on flavor when selecting snacks. With 63% of consumers selecting snacks based on flavor, this creates a perfect recipe for success. So, what’s on trend for flavors? Mexican-inspired and spicy snacks are popular with younger generations. The latest issue of SNAC World reveals that flavors inspired by international cuisines are also trending in the snack industry. Companies like Poppy Handcrafted Popcorn LLC and Frito-Lay continue to launch products with internationally inspired flavor profiles from places like the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, Mexico, and more. These unique, global-inspired flavors provide consumers the opportunity for their palates to go globetrotting, but they also provide brands with a perfect opportunity to further connect with their consumers. For example, incorporating a QR code on packaging where consumers can access background stories about the culture from which the flavor originates can provide them an experiential snacking experience. Additionally, interactive content tied to QR codes allows users to explore and enjoy, adding an element of discovery and adventure to their snacking habits.
Marketing to a New Demographic
New protein sources, new flavors and now a whole new demographic? Recent research states that by 2030, nearly 13% of the U.S. population could be on GLP-1s. Once touted only as a diabetes drug, GLP-1s, now used for weight loss, are becoming more and more common. These medications are changing people’s lives and eating habits, creating significant opportunities for new and existing snack food companies to tap into this growing market—GLP-1 users.
Companies like Nestlé are already capitalizing on this growing population. Their Vital Pursuit brand includes a variety of snacks and meals intended to support GLP-1 users. As more brands introduce GLP-1-friendly products, eye-catching point-of-purchase displays and well-designed packaging will play a key role in educating consumers and driving impulse sales in both retail and e-commerce environments.
Ready for On-the-Go
Convenience is still king, and it shows. According to the Snack Food Packaging Trends report, produced by PMMI, convenience and portion control remain high on consumers’ lists, leaving single-serve and resealable packaging formats in high demand.
Variety packs and customized packaging solutions are also gaining traction, particularly in retail environments. Retailers are pushing for packaging that accommodates consumers’ growing demand for convenience and portion control, including packaging that accommodates different counts, portion sizes and formats.
Accommodating Market Trends with Corrugated Packaging
As snack food brands compete for shelf space and consumer attention, shelf-ready packaging (SRP)—also known as retail-ready packaging (RRP)—is becoming a critical part of packaging strategy. Designed to move seamlessly from shipping to store shelves, they offer brands improved product visibility and retailers ease of setup and labor savings while enhancing the consumer shopping experience.
Want to learn more about how our corrugated packaging solutions can help your brand stay on trend, complete the form below to be connected to a local representative.
