A new global consumer study suggests that snacking is becoming a major force in grocery retail, with younger consumers increasingly using snacks as meal replacements and turning to social media for product discovery.
The findings come from the 2026 State of Snacking report, a collaboration between Mondelēz International, Mintel, and Black Swan Data. The report combines consumer surveys and social listening data across multiple international markets to examine how snacking habits are evolving.
The research found that daily snacking is now a routine behaviour for most consumers across major markets. Around 60% of consumers surveyed reported snacking at least once a day, with particularly high participation rates in Australia, the United States, Germany, Thailand, and Brazil.
For supermarkets and FMCG suppliers, one of the most significant findings is the growing role of snacks as meal replacements.
According to the report, 41% of snack consumers in the United States now replace regular meals with snacks, while 44% of Australian consumers do so at least once a week. Similar patterns are emerging in other markets, particularly among younger shoppers who increasingly value convenience, portability, and affordability.
The trend is reshaping grocery purchasing habits and creating new opportunities for retailers to position snacks as part of breakfast, lunch, dinner, and on-the-go eating occasions rather than simply between-meal purchases.
Younger consumers continue to drive much of the category’s growth. The study found that many Gen Z and Millennial shoppers are snacking more frequently than they did a year ago, with social media playing an increasingly influential role in product discovery and purchasing decisions.
This shift is likely to influence how supermarkets develop assortments, promotional campaigns, and private-label snack ranges in the coming years.
The report also highlights the growing importance of social snacking. More than two-thirds of consumers surveyed said snacks are an essential part of social occasions, gatherings, and entertaining at home.
For retailers, this creates opportunities across sharing packs, confectionery, savoury snacks, and premium snack categories that cater to group consumption.
Another notable finding is the growing consumer focus on texture. While flavour remains important, shoppers increasingly seek products that combine multiple textures and offer a more engaging eating experience. This trend is expected to influence future product development across both branded and private-label snack portfolios.
At the same time, consumers continue to balance innovation with familiarity. The report found strong demand for nostalgic products and flavours, while interest in globally inspired snacks and new taste experiences remains high.
For supermarket buyers and FMCG manufacturers, the combination of comfort, indulgence, convenience, and novelty is becoming a key factor in successful product launches.
As retailers continue to compete for larger shares of consumers’ food spending, the findings suggest that snacks are no longer viewed solely as impulse purchases. Instead, they are increasingly becoming a core part of everyday eating habits, creating new growth opportunities across supermarket snack aisles and private-label ranges.
The 2026 State of Snacking report indicates that the line between meals and snacks is continuing to blur, making the category one of the most strategically important areas of food retail.
