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PANTRY THE COMFORT OF PANTRY SNACKS As a result of snacking throughout the day becoming increasingly prominent, Blue Dinosaur snack and protein bars and Tucker’s Natural snacks are increasingly finding their way into household pantries. Tucker’s Natural products from its Gourmet Bites, Gluten Free Bites, Snack Crackers and Dip and Fibre Packed Snacks range are said to be a firm favourite from the pantry. Tucker’s Natural CEO Sam Tucker tells Retail World that the snacks, eaten on their own or with dips or cheese, satisfy taste demands and are significantly healthier than chocolate bars or very sweet biscuits, “Our 2018 Sydney Royal Fine Food Show trophy winning Gourmet Bites Rosemary & Rock Salt is a popular Australian favourite,” he said. “As with many food products, Covid-19 kicked up sales as people bunkered down at home. We did see a big increase in sales in March. However, it dropped off significantly as retailers prioritised panic items like toilet paper, pasta, eggs and flour, which impacted their supply chain capacity and filled their warehouses.” Mr Tucker says a noticeable consumer behaviour change was the trend towards home baking. “With many people working from home, snacking increased and the ‘pandemic pounds’ grew, with increased weight gain,” he said. “Online sales also grew for us, with consumers reluctant to visit supermarkets. “As we move slowly out of the pandemic in Australia, consumers are more health focused. They’re still looking for snacks, but also looking for products that are healthier for them and have functional ingredients. “Tucker’s is well placed to take advantage of this trend, with new investment in production capabilities about to be realised. We’ll be able to produce products now that perfectly fulfil this consumer need.” He says the company has some “exciting options” to produce sheeted and also filled product, to coat them with toppings, shape them in various sizes and pack them in both individual portions and multipacks. “We’re on the cusp of having a new wave of products for retailers and consumers,” he said. Tucker’s Natural recently released “As we move slowly out of the pandemic in Australia, consumers are more health focused. They’re still looking for snacks, but also looking for products that are healthier for them and have functional ingredients.” 52 RETAIL WORLD SEP, 2020