September 9th 2024.
It seems like everything from the 90s is making a comeback these days, including our beloved snacks. From old-school flip phones to scrunchies, trends that were once considered cool and trendy are slowly creeping back into fashion. But it's not just limited to clothes and technology, even certain foods are experiencing a resurgence in popularity.
Recent research has shown that many of our favorite snacks from our childhood are once again in high demand. Online supermarket, Ocado.com, has reported a 48% increase in sales for Smith's Crispy Bacon Frazzles over the past year. Prawn Cocktail Skips and Smith's Salt & Vinegar Chipsticks have also seen a rise in sales, with a 47% and 42% increase respectively.
Other 90s classics that are flying off the shelves include Discos, with a 15% increase in sales each month, and Nik Nake Rib 'N' saucy, which is also experiencing growth in sales. According to Ocado, social media is the driving force behind this nostalgia-fueled trend, and even crisps are not immune to its influence.
Celebrity chef and crisp enthusiast, Nigella Lawson, is delighted to see the return of these retro snacks. She says, "I, for one, am not surprised by the trend towards classic crisps in all their forms. As my crisp cauldron will attest, I have many of the flavors mentioned in Ocado's list – they are the perfect accompaniment to an evening aperitivo or to snack on during essential TV viewing."
Ocado's buyer, Nathan Hawker, adds, "There has been a lot of innovation in the crisp category in recent years, with a growing demand for posh and gourmet flavors such as M&S Collection Truffle and Olive Oil Crisps and the Instagram-favorite Torres Iberico Ham Crisps. We've also seen a surge in crisps made from different vegetables and grains, including lentils, chickpeas, okra, and even seaweed."
But sometimes, it's the familiar flavors, value, and convenience of the classic multipack that we crave. With many millennials now shopping for their own families, they are rediscovering their old lunchbox favorites, and the wave of 90s nostalgia on social media is only adding to the cool factor of these retro crisps.
If you're feeling nostalgic for the classics, you'll be happy to know that KP Snacks has recently launched two new flavors of a childhood favorite, Pom-Bears. In addition to the original ready salted and salt and vinegar flavors, these bear-shaped crisps now come in cheese and BBQ options. You can find them at supermarkets like Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury's, Morrisons, Waitrose, Co-op, and Asda for just £2.25 for a multipack.
But while we're celebrating the return of some of our favorite snacks, let's take a moment to remember the discontinued crisps we dearly miss. Who could forget the Sizzling Steak Wotsits, which were confirmed to be no longer in production in 2023, causing an uproar among fans who claimed they were much better than the original Wotsits? And what about the beloved Worcester Sauce Crisps, which were axed in September 2023, breaking the hearts of their loyal fans? Or the Salt & Vinegar Quavers, which were first created in 1993 but were discontinued in 2021 despite their cult following and successful relaunch?
But thanks to the power of social media, we may not have to say goodbye to our favorite flavors forever. In response to a customer's concern about the absence of Beef & Onion crisps, a Walkers spokesperson said, "We know there were a lot of people that loved Beef & Onion, but sometimes, sadly the sales just aren't there, so we have to make changes to our range." This has happened before, with the snack being discontinued in 2015 and then brought back due to popular demand.
And speaking of popular demand, fans of BBQ flavor crisps have been begging Walkers to bring back their beloved flavor for years. Although it made a limited-edition comeback in 2023, it disappeared once again, leaving fans disappointed. But now, Walkers has released a new flavor called Smokin' BBQ Sauce, which is similar to the old favorite and is available in Tesco supermarkets nationwide.
It's clear that our love for these retro snacks knows no bounds, and Walkers is constantly looking for new ways to satisfy our cravings. They recently teamed up with Heinz to launch three limited-edition flavors inspired by classic lunchtime sandwiches, including Roast Chicken and Heinz Mayo, Sausage Sarnie and Heinz Ketchup, and Cheese Toastie with Heinz Beanz. These innovative flavors are available in supermarkets nationwide, and Walkers promises they will take our lunches to a whole new level.
But for how long will these limited-edition products be around? Only time will tell. In the meantime, we can satisfy our cravings with a pack of Smokin' BBQ Sauce crisps or reminisce about our old favorites. Who knows, maybe one day they'll make a comeback too.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
