Dawn Foods Shares 2023 Global Bakery Trends; Sarah Hickey Details

On the heels of the pandemic and with the economy in flux, consumers are constantly adapting how they buy and enjoy food. Looking to the bakery sector, Dawn Foods has studied recent patterns to release its list of 2023 Global Bakery Trends, and Sarah Hickey, Senior Director of Marketing and Insights, took a beat to dive deeper into how retailers and foodservice operators can take advantage of these changes.

“When making food choices, consumers are pivoting to what I would call a more conscious, decision-based model,” says Sarah. “We see many consumers saying they’re generally not following a specific diet and are making their own rules. They’re making healthy choices, but they’re not following something with strict rules and restrictions. They are thinking about the world around them, the environment, their community, and how food choices that they’re making all fit into this puzzle.”

As with many industries, the bakery sector was permanently changed by the pandemic, affected by how Americans now choose to buy and consume baked goods. Some ways that Dawn Foods suggest capitalizing on these changes include:

• As the foodservice industry continues to cope with labor shortages, Dawn Foods is working closely with bakery departments and specialty shops to use more mixes and quick-scratch solutions, like frozen products, that they can offer in an efficient, timely manner without sacrificing quality
• Simplifying inventory orders and sourcing can help alleviate supply shortages. Additionally, leveraging limited-time seasonal offerings, which consumers love and lean on ingredients in abundance, can help manage supply shortages

With economic unpredictability and labor market shifts, Dawn Foods sees the needs of consumers continuing to evolve throughout the remainder of the year and into 2024.

“We see the opportunity for bakeries and bakery departments to help shoppers cope with rising prices by offering products at lower price points,” Sarah explains. “For example, consumers might not opt to purchase a six-tiered cake but will be more likely to buy a dozen cupcakes at a lower price point, or a single-serve slice of cake, as consumers enjoy small indulgences.”

Sarah says it isn’t necessary to recreate the wheel for bakeries looking to take advantage of food trends. Instead, they can tap in by:

• Keeping in mind consumers’ desire for new experiences. Even with favorite and familiar products, adding small touches to a baked good can highlight a unique, fresh perspective
• Consumers are indulging in daily delights to help better their mental health. We’re seeing they are treating themselves with products like gourmet cupcakes and doughnuts with a premium dessert flavor
• Adapting to consumers' desire for mindfulness by adding desserts that can be in individual serving sizes and mini portions

“Dawn is committed to providing a new perspective to the bakery industry worldwide through innovation and expertise that helps them grow their business,” Sarah adds. “Through our research and insights into the consumer trend landscape, we help our customers make more informed business decisions and capitalize on consumer’s evolving needs.”

To see Dawn Foods’ complete list of trends, click here.

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