Forget boring bread! The US bakery scene is hotter than ever in 2024. From embracing online fame with video channels to perfecting the traditional art of sourdough, bakeries in the US are reshaping what it means to be delicious.
Statista states Americans consume 19.84 kilograms of bread and cereal products yearly per capita. With an economic impact of over $186 billion, bakeries are a mouthwatering idea to invest. Yet, to gain rewards it is necessary to be updated.
Since resilience has always been the ultimate recipe for success, capitalizing on market opportunities requires embracing new trends. Take this journey with us to discover the top 8 exciting trends that are redefining the U.S. bakery industry in 2024!
Top 8 Bakery Trends in 2024
What influences US sales in 2024? Americans’ consumption habits rely on factors such as brand reputation, product quality, customer reviews, and convenience. For food and beverage products, healthcare is also a determining issue in 2024, especially among Millennials.
The current US food and retail market is being reshaped by e-commerce and online ordering. With an average daily online spending of over $3 billion in 2023, convenience dominates US consumption habits.
Since 70% of Americans now use social media, it has become the primary space where young generations engage with brands. Therefore, visually-based networks such as Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok are gaining momentum for bakeries.
Customer Google Reviews lead as the primary deciding factor in purchasing. According to a Forbes survey, 81% of Americans rely on digital friends’ reviews before deciding to buy.
But when it comes to brand connections, regardless of the industry, values are a critical factor in purchasing decisions. Brands that advocate for social equality, employee welfare, and eco-friendly practices resonate strongly with younger generations, significantly impacting sales.
Now, with a solid understanding of the overall US consumer trends, let’s delve into the specific trends impacting the bakery industry in 2024. First up: Sourdough and Healthy Bakeries Products.
1. Sourdough Bakery Trend and Healthy Products
Healthy recipes for bread and pastries are always in demand because we all love baked goods. However, today’s consumers are increasingly seeking treats that offer added benefits, such as super nutritious food. Therefore, clients are turning their focus to tradition: Sourdough fermented bread.
Sourdough bread stands out for its superior digestibility, which results from its extended fermentation process. This slow process leads to a final product nutritional enriched with vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
So, if you’re looking to offer your customers delicious and healthy bakery options, consider embracing tradition and preparing sourdough baked goods. Additionally, add seeds and natural sweeteners to create a digestion-friendly bread, snack, and pastry menu. Your customers will thank you for it!
2. Online Bakeries
The benefits of e-commerce in today’s business world are well-known, including 24/7 sales, expanding beyond local markets, and collecting customer data. Therefore, for bakeries, staying ahead with old-fashioned service without embracing digital is no longer an option.
However, there is room for bakeries to customize their business approach by incorporating online sales into their business model. As a bakery owner, you can choose from these types of online bakeries:
- Purely Online Bakeries: These bakeries operate exclusively in the digital space. They have no physical storefronts and rely entirely on online orders. It comes with low overhead costs, global reach, flexibility, but it relies on shipping logistics.
- Local Online Bakeries: These bakeries serve a specific geographic area (e.g., a city or region). They offer online ordering but may also have a central kitchen or pop-up location. It provides the benefits of having a target market enhancing community engagement.
- Subscription-Based Bakeries: Customers subscribe to receive regular deliveries of baked goods (e.g., weekly or monthly). These bakeries focus on recurring orders. While this type of bakery comes with predictable revenue and a loyal customer base, it requires consistent product quality.
- Custom Order Bakeries: These bakeries specialize in made-to-order items. Customers can customize flavors, decorations, and dietary preferences. Overall it provides personalized service and unique offerings.
- Brick-and-Click Bakeries: Some bakeries blend the best of both worlds by adopting a hybrid approach. These bakeries have physical locations maintaining the traditional bakery experience, while it offers an online ordering system through its website or app.
If you want to improve your online or hybrid bakery in the US, a complete POS solution like iPos can be the perfect tool for you. iPos is a set of optimization tools including online ordering systems, a website, a range of payment processing features, and, of course, a delivery system.
3. Gluten Free and Vegan Bakeries
Veganism is on the rise in the United States. According to a 2023 Gallup poll, 5% of Americans identify as vegan, while a study by the Mayo Clinic suggests that 1 in 133 Americans have celiac disease, a condition requiring a strict gluten-free diet.
As a result, vegan and gluten-free bakeries have seen high demand in recent years. The good news is that these bakeries are no longer niche concepts.
Today, vegan and gluten-free bakeries offer a vibrant array of delectable pastries, cakes, breads, and cookies, ensuring everyone can indulge in their favorite treats. These bakeries use innovative ingredients and techniques to create mouthwatering vegan alternatives to traditional pastries.
If you are considering embracing this trend in your bakery and need references, you can look into some famous vegan and plant-based bakeries across the United States, such as:
- Bread On Oak (Carondelet St, New Orleans, Louisiana),
- Lovebirds Donuts (US Rt 1, Kittery, Maine),
- Dina’s Vegan Deli & Desserts (W 10th St, West Palm Beach, Florida)
4. YouTube and TikTok: Bakeries becoming influencers
Bakeries have expanded onto the internet, engaging with customers through video on social media platforms like YouTube and TikTok. By sharing recipes, baking techniques, and behind-the-scenes footage, pastry chefs are becoming real influencers.
For instance, channels like Rosanna Pansino, How to Cake It, How to Cook That, My Cupcake Addiction, and Bigger Bolder Baking are some of the top baking channels on YouTube.
YouTube channels can be a profitable venture for bakeries, generating revenue through ad revenue, sponsored content, and affiliate marketing. Additionally, YouTube channels help bakeries increase brand visibility, reach a wider audience, and attract new customers.
However, TikTok is the platform that bakery owners enjoy the most. Baking recipes and posts are popular trends on TikTok. The hashtag #bakeries on TikTok has over 350.1 million views, and #bakery has over 8 billion views.
As TikTok rises in popularity among consumers in the US, bakery owners have good reason to pay attention to the hype. According to Capterra’s TikTok Marketing Survey, 78% of small businesses that run ads on TikTok have realized a positive ROI, with the majority seeing results within just six months.
For example, Roz Rabbani’s Los Angeles-based bakery business, Roz Got Cake, has received more than 3 million likes and has 73,000 followers on TikTok. Her cake-decorating videos regularly rack up tens of thousands of views.
If you are tempted by this opportunity but unsure where to start, we provide our Complete Guide for Social Media Marketing. Enjoy actionable insights that will help you create an efficient marketing strategy using the benefits of social media. Download it for free here!
5. International Cuisine and Fusion Baking Delights:
The American baking industry has a rich history shaped by waves of immigration. This influence continues to evolve as demographics shift and Americans become more adventurous in their tastes. One key trend for bakeries in 2024 is embracing multicultural culinary styles and creating fusion desserts.
Previously limited to fine dining, fusion cuisine is taking over bakeries nationwide. Chefs are blending traditional recipes with local ingredients, catering to diverse palates. Expect to see unique creations like matcha-glazed croissants with red bean filling or innovative takes on classic pastries like Middle Eastern-inspired baklava twists.
Examples of Global Influence in US Bakeries are:
- Miami: Cuban bakeries offer classic guava pastries (pastelitos de guayaba) and savory empanadas, honoring their heritage while adapting sweetness levels to local preferences.
- Pennsylvania Dutch Bakeries: These bakeries uphold German traditions with streusel-topped plum kuchen (platz) and buttery shoofly pie, offering a taste of nostalgia with regional ingredients.
- Chinatown Bakeries: Bustling Chinatowns boast bakeries filled with pineapple buns (bo lo bao), mooncakes, and red bean-filled pastries, showcasing Asian flavors harmonized with American tastes.
By embracing global influences and experimenting with fusion flavors, bakeries can cater to a wider audience and stay ahead of the curve in 2024.
6. Customize cake shops and pastry
Today’s American consumer craves personalization, and the bakery industry isn’t missing a beat. From bespoke birthday cakes to build-your-own cookie creations, customization is taking center stage, offering customers a unique and interactive bakery experience.
Here’s how bakeries are embracing the customization trend:
- DIY Decorating Stations: Bakeries are setting up dedicated stations filled with frostings, sprinkles, candies, and edible decorations, allowing customers to unleash their inner artist and personalize cookies, cupcakes, or donuts.
- Custom Cakes & Pastries shop: While classic favorites remain, bakeries are offering increased flexibility for cakes and pastries. Customers can now choose flavors, fillings, frostings, and decorations to create a cake that perfectly matches their theme or celebration.
- Customization through technology: Bakeries are upping the ante by offering customizable options, allowing subscribers to choose their preferred flavors, dietary restrictions, and even the quantity of baked goods. In addition, user-friendly online platforms allow customers to customize their orders, selecting everything from bread types to specific toppings for pastries.
- Interactive In-Store Displays: Interactive touchscreens or tablets in-store allow customers to browse a wide variety of customization options for cakes, pastries, and even bread loaves. They can visualize their creations before placing an order, ensuring they get exactly what they desire.
Customization fosters a more interactive experience, making customers feel involved in the creation process and potentially leading to higher satisfaction. Plus, the ability to personalize creates a perception of exclusivity and premium value, potentially justifying slightly higher price points.
7. Technology, Innovation, and Optimization
The bakery scene is heating up, and efficiency is the secret ingredient for success. Thankfully, technology offers a powerful way to streamline operations and elevate your customer experience.
Imagine the possibilities:
- Effortless Inventory Management: Inventory management software keeps ingredients perfectly organized, categorized, and readily accessible with real-time stock-level alerts. No more scrambling – you’ll always know exactly what you have on hand.
- Say No to Stock-Outs: Automated alerts prevent costly shortages and production delays. Focus on creating delicious treats, not managing your pantry.
- Seamless Operations: Integrate your inventory software with your Point-of-Sale (POS) system for a smooth workflow and accurate data.
But technology goes beyond inventory. Bakeries can also benefit from:
- Modern POS Systems: User-friendly POS systems make handling sales, customer interactions, and loyalty programs a breeze.
- Diverse Payment Options: Offer your customers the convenience of contactless payments with secure solutions like QR codes.
- Online Ordering and Delivery: Increase convenience and cater to a wider audience by offering online ordering and delivery options.
If you’re looking for a comprehensive optimization tool for your bakery, iPos encompasses all aspects of management, from sales, and customer to stock. Overall, it is perfect for small and medium-sized food businesses:
- Simple and Affordable: No monthly fees and a user-friendly, customizable platform that’s easy to learn.
- Fast Implementation: Get your system up and running on the same day with our streamlined onboarding process.
- Expert Support: A dedicated team is always available for assistance, ensuring a smooth transition and ongoing success.
What are you waiting for to embrace innovation at your bakery?
Run your business with an All-in-One POS.
Find out how.
8. Sustainable Bakeries
In the U.S., only 5% to 6% of the 40 million tons of plastic waste generated in 2021 was recycled. The rest lingers in landfills or pollutes our oceans.
However, in the fragrant world of bakeries, a new trend is taking shape – sustainability. Bakeries across the globe are embracing eco-friendly practices to not only protect our planet but also to enhance their business operations.
Here’s how bakeries are leading the sustainable charge:
- Smart Production Planning: By accurately forecasting demand, bakeries can minimize overproduction. This can potentially save hundreds of pounds of baked goods from going to waste annually.
- Inventory Management Technology: Integrating inventory management software with your POS system ensures you have the right ingredients, preventing unnecessary waste.
- Creative Food Reuse: Day-old bread gets a new life! Transform it into delicious croutons for salads, breadcrumbs for coating, or a hearty bread pudding.
- Sustainable Packaging: Ditch single-use plastics and opt for eco-friendly alternatives. Offer reusable cloth bags for customer purchases, and explore compostable containers for takeout orders. Many local companies provide these options!
- Recycling: Make it easy for customers to participate by placing clearly labeled recycling bins near the checkout counter for items like coffee cups, cardboard boxes, and aluminum foil.
Ready to take the first step? Research local resources for sustainable packaging and composting solutions. Start small, and gradually implement these changes. Every step forward makes a difference!
Conclusion
The future of baking is bright! By embracing these 8 trends, bakeries can not only stay ahead of the curve but create a more delightful and sustainable experience for their customers.
