Good point. Of course you’re right: new product intros are essential to the life’s blood of companies and categories in every consumer product sector. Buzz-worthy new products drive consumers into stores and online. We’re restless and we want new, exciting options. Slow movers are removed from assortments and new products are constantly cut in. Of course, as Paul pointed out, many of those fail. But the marketplace is full of innovators who will continue to create new products from their ideas. The trick is to develop the kinds of products that will stick. Thanks, Katya, for weighing in. I appreciate it.

Thanks for weighing in on my post. Retailers are confronted with hundreds of new products every year. They have to make choices and decisions as to what to shelf. The price of entry for many new products is high and large manufacturers can afford it, whereas smaller ones can’t necessarily. Regardless, as new products are tested, other products either lose facings or shelf space altogether. It’s tricky. Especially now when so many retailers are giving additional space to their own brands. To answer your question, though: sometimes highly unique products without any track record appeal to retailers most, because they have a shot at resonating with the first adopters among their customers in a big way. There’s a chance they might create a bit of excitement!

Thanks for sharing this link about the Fancy Food Show. It gives us a glimpse into “coming food attractions”. Just one more indication consumers seem to be demanding to more exotic fare from around the globe. The question is, as Phillip pointed out: how much of this will stick? It’s going to be interesting to see, isn’t it?

Interesting post and timing. I was just reading a blog post in Natural Foods Merchandiser about this year’s Fancy Food Show in NYC. I used to attend and miss it these days. Topic: “Unexpected ethnic flavors spice up Fancy Foods Show”. I thought you and the Daily Fix readers might enjoy reading it. http://naturalfoodsmerchandiser.com/blogs/tabid/84/EntryId/296/Unexpected-ethnic-flavors-spice-up-Fancy-Foods-show.aspx

Great observations. Thanks for weighing in. Many times, food companies do significant testing before bringing new flavor profiles to market. . .just because there’s substantial investment involved in launching new products. Having said that, tastes are definitely changing and consumers have demonstrated an interest in more exotic fare, so you’re probably right. Bringing in more items to see what sticks might be the plan for some of these brands like Doritos. I also suspect some of these new flavor profiles might be viewed as “here today, gone tomorrow” as companies try to keep abreast of even faster changing consumer tastes these days. And during times like these, adding spice to the marketplace might be just what the doctor ordered!

I would say this is a good thing. These companies are trying to create long tails with their product. Some of these new flavours will definitely be niche products but you never know if one might just become a hit. I think there is a possibility of too many options but if the respective companies were able to convey to their customers flavours in different categories like sour, salty, spicy etc. then that would dwindle down their choices from lets say 20 Dorito types to the 4 that are in the spicy category.