This report examines snacks’ channel dynamics and regional shifts, and makes strategic recommendations for manufacturers and retailers. E-commerce saw significant growth in global snack retail sales in 2025. Quick commerce, social commerce and AI-driven discovery are reshaping consumers’ search for value; however, offline retail still dominates snack purchases, with discounters and warehouse clubs growing twice as fast as key competitor channels, and outpacing e-commerce.
Delivery
This report comes in PPT.
Key findings
The snacks industry grew in 2024 with value-driven demand and cost challenges shaping future growth
The snacks industry saw sustained value growth in 2024, with global retail sales surpassing USD680 billion, up 3.7% from 2023. Consumers' purchasing power is stabilising, but affordability and value remain key. The industry is expected to grow over the forecast period, driven by consumers' sustained desire for snack occasions and anticipated upgrades in selections. Cost challenges, including rising prices of inputs such as cocoa and sugar, will contribute to price and value growth.
Discounters and warehouse clubs lead growth driven by low prices and rising demand amid inflation
Discounters and warehouse clubs record the highest growth over 2019-2024. Both channels share the same goal of offering a limited selection of items at the best price. Snack sales through discounters, globally, recorded an almost 10% CAGR over the historic period. With inflation and tighter consumer spending, shoppers have turned to discounters for affordable alternatives.
Expanding access and value propositions are seen sustaining e-commerce snack sales
Retail e-commerce snack sales continue to grow share and outperform offline channels despite subsiding growth. The channel’s success has come from expansion and consumer enablement strategies - including price deals, a focus on convenience and e-commerce impulse (e-impulse).
New retail models emerge in offline and online to answer consumers’ demand for snacks
Busy For You is rapidly expanding in China. The snack retail chain has gained significant popularity in inland regions offering international and local brands as well as private label at discounted price. In Europe, the company Koro offers a range of clean label snacks and functional food at an affordable price under its private label. Born online, it is now available in selected offline retailers such as Holland & Barrett in the UK and Edeka in Germany
Key findings
Value-driven shopping reshapes snack retail channel landscape
Snacks remain on the upside, but broad-scale global changes threaten growth
The top three global snacks markets show how demands vary across the globe
Snacks’ region-category rank reshuffles amidst shifts in Turkish and Chinese snacking
Savoury snacks lead followed by strong consumer value preference for confectionery
North America and Asia Pacific lead e-commerce snack sales
Modern trade leads developed snack markets, while traditional leads emerging markets
Discounters’ low prices lead to strong share gains in snacks globally
Grocery retailers outperform non-grocery retailers in snack shopping
Snack sales via non-grocery retail stores impacted by uneven foot traffic and spend
Price savings and in-store excitement remain key levers for grocery retailer growth
Leading supermarkets Kroger and Albertsons focus on flavourful shopping experiences
Convenience retailers impacted by fuel price-linked demand and financial hardship
E-commerce snacks continue a decade-plus period of double-digit growth
Cultural snacking boosts end of year snack spending habits
Eight markets reach over USD1 billion in e-commerce snack sales
Savoury snacks and Q4 confectionery sales drive e-commerce growth
Grocery retailers and marketplaces are consumers’ go-to e-commerce snack sites
Amazon lands on top with Walmart as a close rival and TikTok Shop growing fast
Ceres’ cultural snack variety and Dubai duplicates boost social commerce in the UK
Evolution of snack retailing
Recommendations/how to win
Euromonitor Passport E-Commerce: Coverage and methodology
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