Food Matters Live London

For a growing number of consumers, snacking is no longer just a gap between meals, but a meal in its own right: a ritual, a reward, or a deliberate nutritional choice. On-the-go consumption is increasingly seen as a considered choice rather than a compromise, as the boundaries between nourishment, convenience and indulgence continue to blur. The products that succeed will be those that understand the role they are chosen to play by their consumers. 

This shift is happening at pace. Major players are making significant investments in the sub-category, while private label continues to resonate with consumers, creating headroom for growth and innovation. Alongside this, GLP-1 medications, now used by millions across Europe, are beginning to reshape appetite and redefine consumers expectations of the products they reach for. As a result, the category is not just growing, but changing shape. Meal replacement launch dynamics offer a clear view of how the wider food and drink category is evolving, and who it is evolving for.

At this roundtable, we will draw on findings from our proprietary consumer study across four distinct user profiles to explore the gap between how products are designed and how they are actually consumed. With a particular focus on nutritional balance across occasions, we will examine whether the products on shelf today are truly built for the moments consumers are reaching for them.

We will also consider what consumers are really looking for, whether that is a meal replacement, a nutritional supplement, or a better-for-you treat, and how these insights can be translated into products that satisfy, stand out, and capture the next wave of demand.