Research by M.A.D.E. – the annual retail and consumer goods fair in Paris – has indicated that European consumers are turning to the appetisers category in increasing numbers, with the category seeing 5.5% growth last year in France.
M.A.D.E. revealed that appetisers are typically served 1.3 times a week, seeing a spike at weekends, with a number of retailers devoting added space to this growing category. The overall savoury snacks sector grew by 5%.
For example, Carrefour Express's Urban Life outlet in Milan is a new-concept store with a lounge, co-working space and sushi bar, while the Carrefour Villiers en Bière store, south-east of Paris, features an in-store department dedicated to appetisers.
Another novel concept, La Boit'Apéro, is an online platform, whereby users can discover a new selection of appetisers and a bottle of wine every month.
The recent M.A.D.E. exhibition in Paris also saw a number of product innovations in the appetiser category being showcased.
These included frozen vegetarian, ethnic, and seafood tapas from Girona, Spain-based Mos A Mos; the Mon Apéro Gourmand and L'apéritif de Chez Nous ranges from Burgard; Fleur de Camembert from Diversi Food; mussels à la Provençale, in edible shells, from Escal; Gruyère biscuits from Buiteman; and tuile biscuits from Les Pâtisseries des Comtes de la Marche.
M.A.D.E. is the best place to uncover the latest innovations and co-creations in the European food sector. For more information, visit www.madeparis.com.
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