PUBLISHER: Verified Market Research | PRODUCT CODE: 1733732
PUBLISHER: Verified Market Research | PRODUCT CODE: 1733732
The rising consumer demand for easy and ready-to-eat snacks, owing to busy lives and the growing habit of snacking between meals plays a crucial role. Furthermore, improvements in flavor, ingredient quality, and health-conscious options, such as gluten-free, organic, and low-sugar cookies, are drawing a larger audience. The rising online retail industry also makes it easier to find a wide range of cookie items. Furthermore, smart marketing methods and appealing packaging help to increase the popularity and sales of cookies worldwide. The cookies market is estimated to surpass a revenue of USD 35.22 Billion in 2024 and reach USD 52.39 Billion by 2032.
Innovations include functional additives such as protein, fiber, and probiotics that have been incorporated into innovations to appeal to health-conscious consumers. Gluten-free, vegan, and allergen-free options are becoming increasingly popular, reflecting dietary trends. Premiumization tendencies have resulted in the creation of gourmet and artisanal cookies featuring distinct flavors and high-quality ingredients. Sustainability is also a priority, with brands implementing environmentally friendly packaging and sourcing techniques. The market is expected to rise with a projected CAGR of 5.09% from 2026 to 2032.
Cookies Market: Definition/ Overview
Cookies, also known as biscuits in many countries outside of North America, are small, sweet baked snacks made primarily of flour, sugar, butter, and eggs, but may also include chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruits. They vary in shape, size, and texture, ranging from soft and chewy to crisp and crispy. Cookies are eaten as snacks or desserts and are frequently accompanied by beverages such as milk, tea, and coffee. Chocolate chip cookies, oatmeal raisin cookies, and shortbread are popular variations, each having their own distinct flavor and texture profile. The future of cookies and biscuits seems hopeful, thanks to shifting customer preferences, health trends, and technical developments in food manufacturing. As customers seek healthier snack options, there is a growing demand for cookies and biscuits made with whole grains, less sugar, and natural ingredients, such as gluten-free and vegan variants. Additionally, discerning shoppers are drawn to new flavors and premium, artisanal items. The advent of e-commerce and digital marketing is broadening market reach, while sustainability initiatives like eco-friendly packaging appeal to environmentally concerned consumers.
The rising E-commerce platforms have expanded cookie producers' reach by allowing them to sell straight to consumers without regard for geography. This potential has been especially useful for smaller brands and specialty products, as they may now access a global market. Online commerce provides a wide range of products that may not be available in physical locations, catering to varied consumer preferences and dietary needs.
Online shopping provides unparalleled convenience, allowing customers to purchase cookies from the comfort of their own homes at any time. This ease is a significant motivator, especially for busy consumers who may not have time to visit physical establishments. The ability to easily compare prices, read reviews, and find new products improves the buying experience significantly.
Furthermore, in the e-commerce industry, subscription services and direct-to-consumer models have grown in popularity. These models provide regular deliveries of cookies, often in unique or limited-edition flavors, keeping customers interested and loyal to the brand. This technique ensures consistent sales while also aiding in the collection of consumer data for personalized products. E-commerce platforms enable advanced marketing methods including targeted advertising and personalized suggestions based on browsing and purchasing history. These techniques promote recurring purchases and greater average order values.
Additionally, convenience snacking, a major trend driving the cookies market, is becoming increasingly popular among consumers as their lifestyles become busier. Consumers increasingly prefer quick and easy snack options. Cookies meet this requirement wonderfully, as they are portable, require little preparation, and come in single-serve packaging. This trend is especially noticeable among young consumers and metropolitan communities.
Innovative packaging that improves convenience is also important. Cookies are appealing as a convenient snack due to their resealable bags, single-serve packs, and freshness-preserving packaging. These packaging methods are especially useful in the e-commerce industry, where products must withstand shipment and handling. Promotional activities and discounts are often run by e-commerce platforms, which can attract price-sensitive consumers.
As consumer awareness of nutrition and health has grown, preferences have shifted toward better food options. Consumers are becoming wary of cookies heavy in sugar, bad fats, artificial ingredients, and allergies. Transparency in food labeling, including ingredient sourcing and nutritional content disclosure, is becoming increasingly important. Consumers want products that provide clear and accurate information about their components and nutritional value.
Regulatory organizations enforce strict nutritional labeling rules for food products, including cookies. Manufacturers must comply with these regulations by appropriately disclosing ingredients, allergies, nutritional values, and health claims on packaging. Regulations limit the health claims that can be made about cookies, particularly their nutritional value. This limitation has an impact on marketing techniques and the ability to present cookies as healthy options.
Furthermore, wheat flour, sugar, butter, and chocolate are key ingredients for cookies, and their prices fluctuate owing to factors such as weather, market demand, and geopolitical conflicts. Fluctuations in ingredient costs have an impact on manufacturing costs and profit margin. Maintaining consistent quality and adhering to food safety regulations for globally sourced commodities can be difficult. To reduce the danger of contamination, allergies, and variable quality, strict supply chain management is required.
Additionally, consumer and governmental pressure to lessen environmental effects necessitates that cookie producers adopt sustainable processes. This involves purchasing products from vendors who practice sustainable agriculture, decreasing packaging waste, and lowering the carbon footprint across the supply chain. Consumer and advocacy groups demand for ethical sourcing procedures, such as fair-trade certifications and labor rights agreements, compel firms to assure ethical sourcing. This increases the complexity and cost of ingredient acquisition, yet it is necessary for sustaining brand reputation and matching consumer expectations.
Differentiation based on nutritional quality and ingredient supply is critical in a competitive industry. Companies that experiment with better ingredients, such as whole grains, natural sweeteners, and plant-based alternatives, can attract health-conscious customers. Significant expenditure in research and development is frequently necessary to create and reformulate cookies with healthier ingredients. These costs must be balanced against consumer demand and competitive price tactics.
The increasing demand for traditional cookies, which are made with traditional components like flour, sugar, butter, and eggs, is driven by their nostalgic flavor and texture, making them popular with a wide range of people. They are often regarded as comfort meals, appreciated by people of many ages and cultures. Traditional cookies have a strong market presence, thanks to years of consumer trust and brand loyalty. Many consumers enjoy these cookies because of their consistent quality and flavor, which encourages repeat purchasing.
Traditional cookies are known for their versatility. They are commonly consumed as snacks with beverages such as tea or coffee, as desserts, or as treats at parties and gatherings. This adaptability keeps demand consistent throughout the year. Traditional cookies have global availability, as they are widely available through a variety of retail channels such as supermarkets, convenience stores, specialty stores, and, increasingly, online.
Furthermore, single-serve packs provide convenience and mobility, appealing to consumers looking for portion-controlled snacks that are easy to transport and consume while on the go. This eliminates the need for portioning and packaging at home, making it ideal for busy lifestyles and eating on the go. Single-serve packaging enhances product freshness and hygiene by preserving each serving's integrity until used.
Additionally, single-serve packs appeal to a wide range of consumer groups, including those who live alone, students, office workers, travelers, and families looking for quick snack alternatives for their children. This broad appeal increases market reach and volume sales. Single-serve packs enable retail and marketing opportunities for merchants and producers by allowing them to introduce new flavors, limited-edition variants, and promotional offers. These packs frequently prompt impulse purchases and encourage trial among consumers who are afraid to commit to greater volumes.
The market is expanding due to the combined demand for conventional cookies and single-serve packets, which cater to a variety of consumer preferences and consumption circumstances. This diversity helps to reach new consumer niches and increase overall market penetration. Traditional cookies and single-serve packs both generate revenue, which helps manufacturers and merchants grow. Traditional cookies profit from consistent demand and customer loyalty, but single-serve packs capitalize on convenience-driven sales and impulse buying.
The increasing awareness about health and nutrition has resulted in consumer preferences shifting towards products perceived as healthier items such as gluten-free and organic cookies. Individuals with dietary restrictions or those looking for clearer ingredient lists frequently choose these items.
Organic products are becoming more popular among customers due to concerns about pesticide residues, environmental impact, and the overall health benefits connected with organic farming practices. Within the overall cookie market, the gluten-free and organic cookies segment is expanding. As customer demand grows, manufacturers are expanding their product offerings to include gluten-free and organic options to meet these unique dietary needs.
Furthermore, the expansion of retail and e-commerce platforms has boosted access to gluten-free and organic cookies, allowing manufacturers to reach a larger audience interested in these products. Consumers are increasingly incorporating health and wellness considerations into their food purchases, selecting goods that are seen to contribute to a healthier lifestyle. Gluten-free and organic cookies fit into these trends, increasing their appeal and consumption.
Additionally, brands that market themselves as supplying gluten-free and organic cookies benefit from consumer trust and the idea that these products are healthier and more natural alternatives. Effective marketing methods that highlight health benefits and natural ingredients increase consumer attention and sales. Gluten-free and organic cookies frequently attract a higher price than normal cookies. This price strategy promotes market expansion by luring value-conscious customers prepared to pay extra for claimed health benefits and high-quality ingredients.
Regulatory systems that support organic certification and gluten-free labeling give consumers confidence in product quality and respect to specific dietary needs. Compliance with these criteria boosts consumer confidence and promotes market growth for gluten-free and organic cookies. Educational programs emphasizing the benefits of gluten-free and organic ingredients in cookies encourage customers to choose healthier eating choices. Increased awareness helps to sustain market demand and growth.
The increasing consumer demand and innovative product offerings in North America are likely to foster further growth in the cookies market. Cookies have a rich cultural history in North America, serving as mainstays in a variety of social contexts including holidays, parties, and ordinary snacks. This cultural affinity ensures that demand remains stable and consistent.
Cookies, due to their versatility, are enjoyed in a variety of situations, including breakfast and lunchboxes, desserts, and midnight munchies. North American customers are more prone to buy indulgent and luxury snack options since they have relatively large discretionary incomes. Cookies are a simple snack option for many North Americans due to their hectic lifestyles. Companies constantly create new and fascinating flavours, as well as distinctive ingredients, to pique the interest of consumers. The emergence of cookies that respond to dietary preferences and constraints is being driven by a burgeoning health and wellness movement. Gluten-free, organic, low-sugar, and vegan cookies are popular among health-conscious consumers.
Furthermore, technological advancements have enabled personalized and adjustable cookie alternatives. Companies that offer personalized flavours, shapes, and packaging increase consumer involvement and happiness. Sustainability and ethical sourcing are becoming increasingly important to customers. Environmentally and socially conscious consumers are drawn to firms that emphasize sustainable processes and ethical ingredient sourcing (for example, fair-trade chocolate and organic flour).
Additionally, innovative packaging methods improve convenience, freshness, and environmental sustainability (for example, resealable packs and biodegradable materials). Consumers prefer practical and environmentally beneficial solutions. Integration of technology into production processes ensures higher quality and uniformity in cookie goods. Advancements in e-commerce and internet marketing reach a larger audience while effectively catering to markets.
Companies capitalize on emerging consumer trends such as plant-based diets, functional foods, and clean labels to launch new products that cater to changing preferences. Collaborations with other well-known businesses or influencers generate buzz and attract new customers. Partnerships, such as joint ventures with health-food firms, are used to develop innovative goods.
The rising E-commerce platforms provide consumers in both urban and rural places with access to a wide range of cookie brands and goods that may not be available locally. Online shopping provides convenience by allowing purchases to be made at any time and from any location, which is ideal for today's busy schedules. E-commerce sites frequently contain reviews and ratings, allowing users to make more educated purchasing decisions.
Algorithms on these sites deliver personalized product recommendations based on previous purchases and browsing behaviour, improving the likelihood of future sales. Online businesses usually provide competitive prices, discounts, and bargains, making them more appealing than conventional storefronts. Flash sales, seasonal discounts, and bundled offers are driven by e-commerce sites, leading to significant sales spikes. Digital marketing tactics provide tailored advertising based on consumer demographics, interests, and behaviour.
Furthermore, integration with social media platforms allows firms to interact directly with customers, increasing brand loyalty and recognition. As more people relocate to cities, their lifestyles get busier, raising demand for simple, ready-to-eat snacks such as cookies. Brands create single-serve and smaller packaging to cater to on-the-go consumption, in line with today's fast-paced lifestyle. Healthier snack options are gaining popular. Brands respond by providing cookies with less sugar, whole grains, and additional nutrients.
Additionally, gluten-free, vegan, and organic cookies are becoming more popular as health-conscious consumers demand them. Snacking between meals is growing increasingly common, increasing demand for a wide range of snack options, including cookies. Despite health trends, people still need decadent treats, and cookies satisfy this desire. Cookies are a popular choice during festivals and celebrations in many Asian cultures, resulting in seasonal demand. The tradition of gift-giving, particularly during the holidays, increases sales of premium and nicely wrapped cookies.
The rise of environmentally conscious consumers is encouraging firms to use sustainable packaging, which is heavily promoted online. E-commerce platforms give detailed product information, enabling consumers to make ethical purchase decisions.
The competitive environment in the cookies industry is a dynamic mix of regional competitors, niche brands, and private label offers. These companies cater to special client preferences by providing distinctive flavours, healthier ingredients, allergen-free choices, or responding to local interests. Furthermore, the advent of e-commerce platforms allows smaller enterprises to reach a larger audience, whilst artisanal bakeries and home-based businesses provide unique, handcrafted cookies, attracting clients looking for premium or personalized options. This fragmentation increases competitiveness, with firms always coming up with new flavours, formats, and marketing methods to retain a devoted consumer base.
Some of the prominent players operating in the cookies market include:
Mondelez International, Inc.
General Mills, Inc.
Ferrero International S.A.
PepsiCo, Inc.
Britannia Industries Ltd
Mckee Foods Corporation
The Campbell Soup Company
Danone S.A.
Patanjali Foods
Ferrero SpA
In December 2023, A Ferrero-related Company announced that it has entered exclusive negotiations to fully acquire Michel et Augustin from Danone. Michel et Augustin was founded in the French market in 2004, it markets premium, products including sweet biscuits, savoury biscuits and snacks. These brands are sold mainly in France and in six other markets. The planned acquisition would improve Ferrero's position in France and mark the latest purchase in the premium biscuits market, following the acquisitions of Burton's Biscuit Company and Fox's in the UK, Kelsen Group in Denmark and Delacre in Belgium.
In May 2024, Commercial Bakeries Corp., a Toronto-based producer of private label cookies, acquired Imagine Baking Inc., a manufacturer of specialty/premium and better-for-you crackers, cookies, biscuits, and brittle, with focus on the gluten-free and organic spaces. "Imagine Baking provides an opportunity for the combined company to expand its capabilities and capitalize on the growing trend towards private label baked snacks in the North American cookie and cracker market," a news announcement said.
In October 2022, Leading bakery foods company Britannia Industries has acquired a controlling stake in Kenya-based Kenafric Biscuits, a move which will help the company set up a manufacturing base and expand sales in the African markets. "The object of the acquisition is the manufacture and sale of biscuits in Kenya and African markets," said Britannia Industries, which owns brands such as Good Day, Tiger, NutriChoice, Milk Bikis and Marie Gold.