In 2021, bakeries are focusing on the key to bringing customers back and attracting new ones: staying ahead of the trends that shape tastes and choices after the impact of COVID-19. This article looks at the bakery trends forecast for 2021.
Insight specialists from several organisations have researched popular trends to understand the impact of COVID-19, and turned that data into insights you can use to plan for 2021, find new ways to sell bakery products and succeed.
Trend 1: Focus on Menu Items With Comforting Ingredients
Using sweets and baked goods as a reward or gift is nothing new. This year, however, PM 2.5 air pollution and the COVID-19 pandemic have left consumers more stressed than ever, with 32% reporting severe anxiety.
How People Are Eating Today
- 26% are eating easy, comforting foods
- 16% are stress eating
- 16% want to drink alcohol
- 15% like to indulge in whatever they crave
As you can see, 26% of people are choosing easy, comforting foods, eating mindfully and prioritising comfort and relaxation. Bring these ideas into your bakery menu: think dark chocolate, rich cream fillings and other cues that give people a moment of escape from stress.
Trend 2: Create Baking Kits Customers Can Use With Their Families at Home
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic everyone has been staying home, and eating at home has surged in popularity this year. But eating at home doesn't mean people stop wanting their favourite foods and treats. Bread, sushi rolls and other baked goods can all be made at home. Selling ingredients or baking equipment so customers can enjoy the experience of baking is another way to grow your business.
Trend 3: Promote Local Ingredients to Drive Your Business
It's no secret that small businesses of every kind struggled in 2020. To help offset this, consumers want to support local businesses. In fact, 71% of survey respondents said they would buy locally available food even if they couldn't get everything they wanted. This highlights how much consumers value knowing where their food comes from and connecting with its story.
That gives bakeries a chance to tell their own story and share it with customers. You can use family recipes passed down through generations to build your brand and set your bakery apart, or develop recipes with flavours no one else has, and take the time to share your bakery's menu on social media. If you have something truly unique, customers will gladly support you as part of their effort to help local businesses grow.
Trend 4: Invest in Better-for-You Bakery Ingredients
Choosing natural, carefully selected ingredients is another way to attract more customers, because people today see health as a priority. For example, using honey instead of sugar for sweetness can set you apart while also being better for health. Consumers are willing to pay more for food free of additives and artificial ingredients that helps keep the body healthy. This trend took on new meaning in 2020, with health and immunity becoming top priorities for most consumers.
In fact, 29% of consumers surveyed said their shift towards healthier products would last six months or more, and 43% plan to keep buying healthy products after the COVID-19 pandemic ends.
Popular Bakery Items That Can Boost Your Profits in 2021
If you own a bakery, especially in the early days, you may find it hard to make a profit on most products and be unsure which items earn you the most. Here is a list of the most profitable bakery items.
Mini Cheesecakes
Cheesecake is one of the desserts most people love. These are cupcake-sized cheesecakes with a cookie layer, available in many flavours, but vanilla bean with whipped cream is the best seller.
Gourmet Brownies
An all-time favourite dessert: no list is complete without brownies. Baked in cupcake liners for easy packaging, they come in many flavours. The best-selling flavour is the turtle brownie, which never fails to satisfy.
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Great tasting and never disappointing, these feature icing or buttercream sandwiched between two soft-baked cookies. It's a rare day when any chocolate chip cookies are left over.
Classic Cupcakes
You may be surprised to learn that the best-selling cupcake flavours are the classics, such as double chocolate and red velvet. Many people are wary of trying unusual colours because they trust that the classics will taste good, which makes these a profitable product.
Chocolate-Covered Strawberries
A mouth-watering treat that is always on trend. Because they are mostly seasonal, they often sell out even with pre-orders, which helps boost profits. They come in different flavours, but chocolate is one of the best sellers.
Running a business isn't easy, and you'll face many challenges along the way, but once you find your footing there is much more ahead. Profitability matters most, so use the list in this article and make a good plan, done with love, to get the best results.
