Bite-size treats eat into the snack market grows

Oreo snacks in small packages, made by the United Statesbased Mondelez International Inc, are gaining popularity among women consumers in China, the company said. [Photo provided to China Daily]

"Smaller unit pack size also addresses the problem of storage given that 51 percent of consumers think it is difficult to maintain freshness once the pack has finally been opened," Xu said. Still, bite-size products are not new to the biscuit industry.

Major brands are constantly developing new ranges of mini-sized biscuits, or snacks, that can be eaten together to build an array of flavors. "Biscuit types that complement one another will help meet the needs of consumers seeking different varieties," Xu said.

Smaller packets are certainly making an impact.

In the second quarter of this year, they accounted for 37 percent of chocolate purchases in China and 40 percent of candy sales, according to data supplied by Kantar World panel, an international company dealing in consumer knowledge and based in the UK.

"This means more indulgence occasions for consumers on the go," said Jason Yu, general manager of Kantar World panel China.

"As consumers are increasingly spending more time from home and the younger generation becomes more individualistic, they are more likely to purchase products for immediate consumption," Yu said.