UTZ Brands (UTZ) 25th Annual Consumer Growth and E-Commerce Conference summary

Category performance and consumer trends

• Salty snacks category growth has slowed, mainly due to reduced price contribution after recent inflation, but household penetration is increasing, indicating long-term health.

• Value-seeking behavior is evolving, with consumers defining value by factors like oil type or price, and both premium and value channels are seeing growth.

• Flavor innovation, especially spicy and unique offerings, continues to drive consumer interest and engagement.

Competitive landscape and promotional environment

• Competitive dynamics remain rational, with no major shifts in private label activity; private label share is stable at about 1%.

• Promotional activity is expected to remain consistent through the year, with less depth in discounting compared to last year.

• Pricing actions, such as bonus packs, are being phased out, with a focus on maintaining price gaps and disciplined promotional spend.

Innovation, brand performance, and expansion

• Recent innovations include new flavors and product lines, with a focus on fewer, higher-impact launches.

• Boulder Canyon has achieved significant growth, surpassing $100 million in retail sales, and is expanding into mainstream and club channels.

• Expansion markets now represent 44% of business, with strong growth and high repeat rates for new consumers.