While consumers’ tastes are evolving, familiarity remains the most important consideration for Canadians when deciding on what condiments and/or seasonings to use. This represents a potential challenge for companies that operate in the category. Is there room to innovate and yield a return on investments that are made when consumers appear to place greater importance on what is familiar to them rather than what is new? Considering factors around potential cannibalization (eg with different types of barbecue sauce for instance), is innovation in the space worth the investment and does it generate returns? This Report will identify areas of innovation that appear more and less likely to resonate with Canadians to help with making consumer-centric decisions around innovation. This Report also discusses other considerations that are important to consumers such as health and nutrition, demands for all-natural ingredients and convenience, and also identifies population segments for whom these considerations matter more or less. The ultimate aim of this Report is to provide fact-based analysis and perspective reliant on quantitative and qualitative research, product examples from within and outside of Canada, and industry observations.

This report looks at the following areas:

Canadians look to what’s familiar when choosing condiments and seasonings

Innovation around health holds less appeal among older Canadians