Vegan and Vegetarian Markets are Growing by Double Digits

Image: Vegan Heart

Corporate Challenge: A cultural shift in behavior is seceding market share from large incumbents to new competitors. This trend continues to impact the top-line.  
 
Ironbound Strategy: Powerful brands grow and emerge by creating holistic value for their employees, customers, and society. Acquiring a rival startup is a sustainable solution only if the new synergy continues to create value for all stakeholders. 
 
Ironbound Action: Consumers tastes are trending toward clean, natural, and whole ingredients. Manufacturers that sell processed packaged foods are experiencing a significant sales impact from this shift in taste. The plant-based food market is growing by double digits and Nestle expects this market to reach $5 Billion by 2020. Sweet Earths quickly carved out a niche market focused on plant-based proteins from Zen farmers; they now sell their product lines in over 10,000 stores. Nestle recently acquired Sweet Earth as part of a strategic initiative to capture this shift in consumer tastes.