Previously, in our Power of One series, we looked at some of the big consumer trends that are driving the demand for single-serve food and beverage products. Everyone from urbanites to millennials and Generation Z-ers are hungry for pre-portioned products that fit their time-pressed, on-the-go lifestyles. But which segments are really standing out in the market today? Where are the big opportunities for brands and producers ahead? And how is SIG well placed to help you meet this demand?

Ready-to-drink potential

When it comes to single-serve products and ready-to-drink beverages, the possibilities are seemingly endless. But it’s clear there are some specific segments that are soaring in popularity right now. As we saw in part two, single-serve products are increasingly appealing to young, health-conscious consumers. And this is understandably having an impact on the kind of products coming into the market with a marked increase in drinks with more natural ingredients, perceived health benefits and responsibility claims.

As we’ve seen in previous trend stories on SIGnals, snacking is no longer an optional extra but a definitive consumption occasion in its own right. Because of this, consumers are seeking new and innovative beverage snacks that offer more – whether it’s more real food pieces or more sensory-rich ingredients and experiences in the way of textures.

This, coupled with heightened awareness around immunity due to COVID-19, means consumers are also looking for more functional and nutrient-rich products. In fact, according to Innova Market Insights, immune health snacks and drinks promoting immune health will find increased favour in a post-pandemic world. This means everything from more vitamin-rich drinks and probiotic beverages to botanical formulations and herbal remedies that are backed by science.

A better impact

An increasing health awareness and more on-the-go lifestyles have also paved the way for premium and responsibly-sourced water drinks. As we saw in our World of Water series, many consumers are turning away from high-sugar sodas and beverages with certain artificial sweeteners towards more responsible and ethical water products that aren’t only good for them but which are also good for the planet.

This sentiment is also being seen in the ongoing growing popularity for plant-based dairy alternatives. High-quality, plant-based beverages that have a low impact on the environment are more popular than ever. Consumers want to support products made from natural, GMO-free ingredients, which can help them make a more positive impact on the world around them. And they want this potential to be clearly communicated to them.

Single-serve solutions

Snackable drinks with real food pieces. Immune-boosting functional drinks. Responsibly-sourced still waters. And premium plant-based dairy alternatives. These are just some of the product segments standing out for consumers today. So how can you be ready to expand and grow in the single-serve market? To help you, SIG has a whole range of packaging and filling solutions that are tailormade to meet the single-serve demand.

You can choose from solutions like combismile*, our ultimate on-the-go beverage pack for a whole range of single-serve volumes – from 180ml to 350ml. Combined with our drinksplus concept, combismile enables you to add more natural ingredients and real food pieces, so you can easily meet the demand for more unique, premium and healthy drink experiences.

There’s also combidome, our lightweight carton bottle designed to maximise drinking convenience. Or combiblocXSlim, our small, slim-look range which comes in a range of nine convenient volumes, so you can flexibly adapt product sizes. However, these are just some of our single-serve solutions so be sure to check out our full portfolio via our online Packaging Explorer.

SIG in action

Want to see how our single-serve solutions are helping brands and producers stand out? Don’t miss the next story in our Power of One series when we’ll look at a range of recent cases and innovative product launches. And also how our single-serve carton packs can help reduce food waste and support sustainability.

*Disclaimer: combismile is currently not available in Germany, France, Great Britain, Italy and Japan.