Crisps that were popular in the 1990s are back in fashion after finding favour with Gen Z.
Supermarket sales data shows brands like Frazzles, Skips and Discos have surged in popularity this year.
Social media videos on platforms such as TikTok appear to have driven the trend, with taste tests of the retro flavours earning hundreds of thousands of views.
Demand for Smith’s crispy bacon Frazzles has risen 48 per cent so far this year and sales of salt and vinegar Chipsticks are up by 42 per cent.
There has also been a 47 per cent increase in the sales of KP’s prawn cocktail Skips, 15 per cent for Discos and six per cent for multipacks of Rib ’N’ Saucy Nik Naks.
Ocado said the trend for retro crisps had seen multipack sales increase by 20 per cent over the last 12 months.
Nigella Lawson, the celebrity chef, said she was delighted by the flavours’ return to favour.
“I for one am not surprised by the trend toward classic crisps in their many forms,” she said.
“As my crisp cauldron will testify, I have in store many of the flavours mentioned. They are the perfect accompaniment to an evening aperitivo or to snack on during essential TV viewing.”
Nathan Hawker, a buyer at Ocado Retail, said: “There’s been loads of innovation within the category in recent years, including a huge growth in demand for posh flavours and gourmet styles, like the M&S Collection Truffle and Olive Oil Crisps and Insta-favourite, the Torres Iberico Ham Crisps.
“There’s also been an explosion in crisps made from different vegetables and grains, with recent additions to the 500-plus strong Ocado crisp range featuring options made from lentils, chickpeas, okra and even seaweed.
“Sometimes however, only the familiar flavours, value and practicality of the humble retro multipack will do.
“With many Millennials now shopping for their own families, it looks like they are rediscovering their old lunchbox loves, while the wave of 90s nostalgia on social media is also helping to make old school crisps cool.”
Polls show that more mainstream crisps remain the nation’s favourite, however.
A survey earlier this year put Walkers cheese and onion in first, beef flavour Monster Munch second and Walkers salt and vinegar in third.
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