Some of the most recognizable American food and beverage brands—including Campbell's soup, Kraft cheese, Kellogg's Corn Flakes and Coca-Cola
Classic—have fallen out of favor with many U.S. consumers, while
smaller brands are gaining favor and taking more market share, according
to a Rabobank research report released Monday.
Daniel Acker | Bloomberg | Getty Images
Shoppers at a Kroger supermarket in Peoria, Ill.
"Unless bold action is taken, they run the risk of
following baby boomers—once their core consumer—into retirement,"
Nicholas Fereday, Rabobank senior global consumer analyst, wrote in the
report, entitled "Dude, where's my consumer?"
"Repositioning the core brand may help to improve the situation," he said, "but in our view, new brands and products are needed that better respond to the demands of these new consumers."
Two ways big food and beverage companies are trying to address shifts in consumer taste include innovating existing products using in-house capabilities or outsourcing R&D by way of acquisitions to add new brands or categories. But the report said that innovation—or a "build, not buy" strategy—can result in a "potentially more disruptive" risk for companies because "it requires a reordering of strategic priorities and a longer-term perspective."
As for acquisitions, there's already a trend among big food companies to buy niche brands in the organic and natural foods areas. Hormel Foods, for example, just last week announcedit would acquire Applegate Farms , a natural and organic prepared meats manufacturer, for $775 million.
CNBC reached out for comment to the major brands mentioned in the report. A spokesman for Campbell Soup said "condensed soup remains an important part of our business," adding that "the company has been focused on reshaping its portfolio to respond to changing consumer tastes. We have been talking for some time about these consumer shifts, for example, the increased interest in health and well-being and fresh foods.
The company pointed out that it hasmade moves to shift its "center of gravity"
into faster-growing areas, citing its acquisitions of Bolthouse Farms,
a producer of fresh carrots and refrigerated beverages, and Plum, an
organic baby food maker. The company also offers new items including
organic soup.
Kraft declined to comment. Other big companies contacted by CNBC had not responded by deadline.
"Repositioning the core brand may help to improve the situation," he said, "but in our view, new brands and products are needed that better respond to the demands of these new consumers."
Two ways big food and beverage companies are trying to address shifts in consumer taste include innovating existing products using in-house capabilities or outsourcing R&D by way of acquisitions to add new brands or categories. But the report said that innovation—or a "build, not buy" strategy—can result in a "potentially more disruptive" risk for companies because "it requires a reordering of strategic priorities and a longer-term perspective."
As for acquisitions, there's already a trend among big food companies to buy niche brands in the organic and natural foods areas. Hormel Foods, for example, just last week announced
CNBC reached out for comment to the major brands mentioned in the report. A spokesman for Campbell Soup said "condensed soup remains an important part of our business," adding that "the company has been focused on reshaping its portfolio to respond to changing consumer tastes. We have been talking for some time about these consumer shifts, for example, the increased interest in health and well-being and fresh foods.
The company pointed out that it has
Kraft declined to comment. Other big companies contacted by CNBC had not responded by deadline.
"Smaller companies have proven adept at spotting and
responding to new trends and gaps in the market," according to Rabobank.
That said, when independent companies are acquired by the larger
companies, "their brands run the risk of losing that authenticity in the
eyes" of consumers.
Besides the packaged foods landscape, the report said a new generation of small- to mid-sized competitors is finding its way into the food service, soft drinks and alcoholic beverage industries. The drivers behind the trend include the rise in purchasing power of today's 18-to-34-year-olds—the so-called millennials.
"They're more experimental in their food and beverage choices, more health-conscious (seeking fewer processed foods)," the report said, adding that millennials "also appear willing to spend a greater share of their income on food, as many of these new brands aren't cheap."
The research report said the trend away from big brands has been fueled in part by factors such as alternative distribution methods that are now available for small and emerging brands.
What's more, "the social media accelerator" factor has enabled an "increase in speed at which changing consumer preferences fan out across the nation. Consumer experiences with new products and brands, as well as advice on what foods to eat or avoid, can be shared instantly via Instagram, Facebook, Foursquare, Vivino, etc."
Besides the packaged foods landscape, the report said a new generation of small- to mid-sized competitors is finding its way into the food service, soft drinks and alcoholic beverage industries. The drivers behind the trend include the rise in purchasing power of today's 18-to-34-year-olds—the so-called millennials.
"They're more experimental in their food and beverage choices, more health-conscious (seeking fewer processed foods)," the report said, adding that millennials "also appear willing to spend a greater share of their income on food, as many of these new brands aren't cheap."
The research report said the trend away from big brands has been fueled in part by factors such as alternative distribution methods that are now available for small and emerging brands.
What's more, "the social media accelerator" factor has enabled an "increase in speed at which changing consumer preferences fan out across the nation. Consumer experiences with new products and brands, as well as advice on what foods to eat or avoid, can be shared instantly via Instagram, Facebook, Foursquare, Vivino, etc."
Jeff DanielsCoordinating Producer
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