The U.S. Retail Market For Traditional American Bread And European-Style Specialty Bread

Dublin, Ireland - Research and Markets has announced the addition of Bread in the United States to their offering.

The $16 billion U.S. bread market has shown growth of 18% from 1998 to 2003. Bread is a staple household food, as evidenced by near total household penetration. With the variety of bread types and formats available, there is a product to cater to nearly every consumer preference.

Growth in the market is driven by taste trends and fresh formats of traditional products, and is also influenced by diet and health concerns. Key growth categories are those that offer the most flavor variations, like the wide range of specialty/artisan bread, which increased sales 18% from 2001 to 2003. Whole grain/wheat varieties also proved to be a key growth area as the drive towards more healthful eating likely inspired many consumers to turn towards this segment in bread selection. Kid favorites--white bread, tortillas, rolls, biscuits, bagels, and pita (all forms of white bread) have shown slower growth, and will likely continue doing so.

As a whole, we expect bread sales to continue a pattern of slow, steady growth as manufacturers find profitable niches to balance out the large, very mature segments of the market. Specialty/artisan bread will continue to provide the most growth, as these products have not reached the state of maturity attained by leading segments, such as white bread, and have more potential for interesting flavors and textures. Also, specialty bread appeals most to older adults, who are willing to spend more for bread. Other growth will be found in frozen breads of all types as they offer a convenient fresh bread product that can be stored until ready to use.

This report addresses all the key issues affecting the bread market, such as competition from breakfast alternatives and the importance of children to the market. Our original consumer research penetrates attitudes about the category and examines purchasing behavior by age, gender, ethnicity and income. A six-year trend analysis predicts future growth for the market, helping you form a long-term marketing strategy.

Covered by this report is the U.S. retail market for traditional American bread and European-style specialty bread. Traditional American bread includes white, brown and whole grain, which may be sliced or unsliced, wrapped or unwrapped. Continental and specialty bread includes foreign recipe products, such as French baguettes and pain de campagne, Italian focaccia, Greek pita, Indian naan, chapati and paratha, American flatbread and sourdough and Irish soda bread. In addition, bread made from flour other than wheat, such as rye or oat flour, or from organic flour, and bread containing additions such as nuts and seeds are also considered specialty bread. Tortillas include corn and flour tortillas as well as taco shells and tostados. Also included in this report are croissants and English muffins. Bread that is purchased for home consumption and which may be taken out of home--for example, sandwiches for a packed lunch--is included. Each bread type includes sales of fresh, refrigerated, and frozen products.

This report includes IRI InfoScan data.
Companies Mentioned:

• Interstate Bakeries Corporation
  
• Bimbo Bakeries USA
  
• Sara Lee Bakery Group
  
• George Weston Bakeries
  
• Flowers Bakeries
  
• General Mills
  
• Pepperidge Farm
  
• Private Label

SOURCE: Research and Markets