Seasonal Innovations: Holiday LTOs

With consumers’ preferences constantly evolving when it comes to food and flavor, limited time offers (LTOs) have become a key strategy for brands that are trying to keep up with consumers’ demands and capitalize on the latest trends. As a result, seasonal LTOs, or those that embrace the flavors, foods, and ingredients that are the hallmarks of each season, have become increasingly popular. Seasonal LTOs help mark the passage of time and build excitement around what makes each season special.

One of the most promising strategies for creating buzzworthy seasonal LTOs is by getting inspired by the holidays that consumers look forward to with anticipation every year. With the winter holidays just around the corner, now is the perfect time to spotlight how brands can translate the most popular winter holiday foods and beverages into flavors for a wide variety of products. Keep reading for our insights into how to innovate with holiday flavors to create LTOs that consumers will be totally obsessed with.

Indulgent Flavor Inspiration from Holiday Desserts

When it comes to food, the holidays are all about permissible indulgence! Indeed, many consumers give themselves a break from their usual diets to treat themselves and eat whatever they want. The winter holidays are known for their indulgent desserts, including an array of cookies, cakes, pies, baked goods, and more.

Help consumers get in the holiday spirit by innovating with the flavors of beloved holiday sweet treats. Not only will doing so help build anticipation for the upcoming holidays, but it will also evoke nostalgia, which consumers have been seeking out for comfort amidst stressful times. Snacks, dairy, and beverages are all ideally suited for taking on the flavors of these familiar holiday favorites. Think a frosted sugar cookie popcorn, gingerbread protein shake, or a peppermint bark cream cheese.

Beloved Holiday Beverage Flavors in Focus

Beverage inspired flavors are one of the most popular options when it comes to creating seasonal LTOs. Thanks to pumpkin spice lattes, which trend every fall without fail, consumers have come to expect to see their favorite seasonal beverage flavors in a variety of formats.

Capitalize on this craze by getting inspired by the beverages that are unique to the winter holidays. For example, many people associate hot chocolate with this time of year, as well as peppermint mochas, wassail (spiced cider), eggnog, and mulled wine. Bring these holiday beverage flavors to everything from snacks and sauces to dairy and desserts for festive LTOs that will give consumers yet another reason to look forward to the holidays.

Give Global Holiday Flavors a Chance

It’s no secret that consumers have been obsessed with trying international foods and flavors lately. They have been using food as a means of exploration to satisfy their cravings for adventure. This curiosity about other cultures will undoubtedly extend to how the holidays are celebrated in other parts of the world – including which recipes, flavors, and dishes are traditionally served during the holiday season.

Despite the popularity of global flavors, few brands have looked to global holiday foods for inspiration for holiday LTOs. Consider taking a deep dive into the holiday traditions from other parts of the world to introduce consumers to festive foods and flavors of trending cuisines. Some potential options include panettone, an Italian sweet bread that is also popular in South America, gugelhupf, a cake that hails from Central Europe, and pernil, a slow roasted pork dish from Venezuela.

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