Top FMCG Innovators Revealed, With Mindful Living And Indulgence Key Trends

Twinings, McCain and Mars are among the top FMCG product innovators in the UK, according to a new list compiled by Nielsen BASES.

The ‘Top 25 Breakthrough Innovations’ ranking celebrates recent product innovations across various FMCG categories in Europe. It is accompanied by Nielsen data that shows British consumers are more adventurous in sampling new products than the rest of Europe – with 73% interested in buying new lines regardless of COVID-19 (versus Europe’s average of 67%). In the UK, 4,195 new products launched in total during the first half of 2020.

Nielsen’s BASES is a model which analyses products with strong sales and measures how they reflect distinct qualities such as mass potential, longevity, brand incrementality, category distinction or appeal toward a specific consumer target. It then compiles leaders across Europe for the Top 25 Breakthrough Innovations list.

In this years’ list, eight of the winning product innovators were for products within the UK market, and the results reveal two main trends: mindful living and indulgence are clearly a source of inspiration for manufacturers.

This is in line with customer preference – Nielsen found that when surveyed, 49% of UK consumers said they have reduced their meat consumption while 46% usually check if products are ecologically friendly. This is reflected in product innovators such as Unilever, which recently created a new vegan Hellmann’s mayonnaise. Consumer mindfulness extends from sustainability into health, with 57% of UK shoppers believing that having healthy food and drink options is important when grocery shopping.

There were also successful products in the UK market that focussed more on indulgence as people looked for treats during a difficult period. This included tea brand Twinings with its cold water tea bags Twinings In’fuse, Diageo which introduced a new Strawberry & Cream liqueur, Mars for its chocolate Maltesers Buttons, PepsiCo for Walkers’ Max Strong crisps, and KP Snacks for McCoy’s Munchos quesadilla-shaped tortilla chips.

The study highlighted that consumers want to feel treated but are also conscious of the health and environmental impact of products.

Celine Grena, Nielsen Bases Europe Leader, said: “The global lockdown has had a huge impact on consumers. Deprived of travelling and out-of-home entertainment, they are seeking adventure in other ways and this includes trying new and innovative products. What’s interesting is that 44% of this year’s winners across Europe have a premium pricing, proving that consumers are still looking to fulfil that indulgence and treat themselves. However, the pandemic has come with its challenges and it’s crucial that brands must consider being more flexible and ready to comply with changing consumer’s patterns moving forwards.”

Grena added: “The heart of good innovation always comes down to fulfilling a consumer need. Over 50% of this year’s Breakthrough Innovations winners have at least one of the ‘healthier lifestyle’ claims compared to only 26% of last year’s winners. This is in line with the growing trend around healthier lifestyles and being mindful about products and sustainability. We can expect to see this to continue to rise in popularity.”

Nielsen’s Top 25 Breakthrough Innovations 2020 In Europe