The three hottest holiday product categories continue to be perennial favorites – chocolate, baked goods and alcohol beverages – however, this year a fourth newcomer is added to the list, gluten-free foods, according to a recent survey by the Specialty Food Association.
Responses from 250 specialty food producers and retailers revealed chocolate is by far the most popular gift choice (42 percent), followed by baked goods (36 percent), alcohol beverages (25 percent) and gluten-free products (20 percent).
America’s appetite for specialty foods hit a record high last year, with consumers spending $86 billion on everything from artisanal chocolates and cheese to oils and charcuterie.
Gourmet food professionals predict consumers will gravitate to a mix of traditional and nontraditional flavors and ingredients this season, with the top ones being chocolate (42 percent), pumpkin (29 percent), ginger (23 percent) and peppermint (20 percent). Some of the top nontraditional flavors and ingredients include sea salt (23 percent), bacon (20 percent), bourbon/whiskey (12 percent) and truffles (11 percent).
The association also asked industry insiders what they plan to give – and most want to receive – this holiday season. To friends, industry insiders said they would most likely give cheese (72 percent), alcohol (69 percent), chocolate (63 percent) and jams/jellies/preserves/honey (60 percent). For family members, they are most likely to give baked goods (72 percent) and olive oil (67 percent).
And what do specialty food professionals want for the holidays? Alcoholic beverages (30 percent), chocolate (26 percent) and baked goods (23 percent) are popular choices, as are cheese, olive oil, charcuterie and coffee.
The online survey was conducted Nov. 4-15 by Information Specialists Group. The gourmet food professionals included 139 food artisans and entrepreneurs who are members of the association and 111 gourmet food buyers and retailers.
