There’s no doubt that millennials make up a huge part of the current population. In fact, millennials are only beaten out in numbers by the Baby Boomers. Thus, it stands to reason that when it comes to purchasing power, millennials have a lot of it. Plus, as they grow older, get raises and promotions, and start looking to settle down, they’ll have even more purchasing power. It’s important to factor them into your business plan, no matter what type of product you’re selling.

Running a bakery can be a fickle business, especially with the recent trends for gluten-free and health-conscious fare that’s taken over a lot of consumer products in America. Bakeries that are smart about their business and looking to attract millennial clientele should be keeping a few key things in mind to ensure that their business has a successful bottom line for many years to come, says BakingBusiness.com.

The first thing any bakery that’s trying to attract millennials should do is take a look at the country’s current dietary trends. It’s true that there’s been a big anti-gluten movement, but that doesn’t mean that your business can’t survive by offering gluten-packed items. Try offering a few gluten-free items if that’s an option for you, focusing on creating foods that are delicious and appealing to all customers – not just those who are gluten free. With that said, it’s still possible that gluten-free is just a trend, and eventually consumers who don’t have allergies or intolerances to the stuff will just want to stick with simple, natural ingredients in their food. Put a keen focus on taking care of knowing where you source your ingredients and advertise it when possible.

Millennials are also often on the go, so make sure that your business offers breakfast and snack items that are portable in addition to your occasion-driven items like cakes. A millennial will be more likely to stop into your bakery for a quick bite or out of curiosity than to seek you out to have a cake made for a special occasion. But if you get them interested and in the door with a really good muffin or a delicious cupcake, they might just come back with their credit card to order a cake for their roommate’s birthday.

Remember that unfortunately, there’s nothing you can do to guarantee that you will have a healthy business for years to come, but taking market trends into consideration and looking at who has the spending power in the country at the time is a great way to help drive your focus. Millennials are snack-lovers and impulse buyers, says Accenture, with a health-focused mentality, meaning they aim to avoid things like high fructose corn syrup (and sometimes, gluten).

Keep the demands of this growing customer base in mind, be flexible with your offerings and adapt to what works and sells at your business, and your business will surely grow with the times. As you grow, Empire Bakery Equipment can help, with a full selection of ovens, mixers, slicers and more. Check out our full inventory online or call us at 800-878-4070 today to learn more.