Sales of soft drinks rise in 2025 with the focus on health and affordability
Sales of soft drinks have seen moderate but steady growth in retail value and volume terms in 2025. Ongoing price rises have pushed players to find new ways to add value and to present more affordable soft drinks to the end consumer. New product development and innovation has been a key focus, with new government regulation adding further incentive to reformulate unhealthy products and to introduce new healthier ones.
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Overview:
Understand the latest market trends and future growth opportunities for the Soft Drinks industry in United Kingdom with research from Euromonitor International's team of in-country analysts – experts by industry and geographic specialisation.
Key trends are clearly and succinctly summarised alongside the most current research data available. Understand and assess competitive threats and plan corporate strategy with our qualitative analysis, insight and confident growth projections.
Data and analysis in this report provides further detailed coverage dedicated to the following key categories, where applicable:
- Bottled Water
- Carbonates
- Concentrates
- Juice
- RTD Coffee
- RTD Tea
- Energy Drinks
- Sports Drinks
- Asian Speciality Drinks
If you're in the Soft Drinks industry in United Kingdom, our research will help you to make informed, intelligent decisions; to recognise and profit from opportunity, or to offer resilience amidst market uncertainty.
The Soft Drinks in United Kingdom report includes:
- Analysis of key supply-side and demand trends
- Detailed segmentation of international and local products
- Historic volume and value sizes, company and brand market shares
- Five year forecasts of market trends and market growth
- Robust and transparent research methodology, conducted in-country
This report answers:
- What is the market size of Soft Drinks in United Kingdom?
- To what extent are health considerations impacting consumption of Soft Drinks in United Kingdom?
- How are changing social attitudes and legislation (eg sugar tax) reshaping demand and consumption?
- How are changing demographics (for example, an ageing or predominantly young population) determining consumption of Soft Drinks in United Kingdom?
- Which are the leading brands in Soft Drinks in United Kingdom?
- What potential exists for multinational or domestic soft drinks companies to expand in United Kingdom?
- How are products distributed in Soft Drinks in United Kingdom?
- How is the rise of e-commerce changing the retail and competitive landscape?
- How have home seclusion and social distancing measures following COVID-19 impacted sales of Soft Drinks?
- How are sustainability issues, such as environmentally-friendly packaging, legislation on recyclability, or the amount of plastic in bottles, impacting the soft drinks industry?
- Where is future growth expected to be most dynamic?
Soft Drinks in the United Kingdom
Sales of soft drinks rise in 2025 with the focus on health and affordability
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Ongoing price pressures push players to innovate to maintain demand
Health, wellness and sustainability prominent drivers of new product development
Guilt-free indulgence a key trend in 2025
New product development and innovation likely to remain key growth drivers
Players set to lean on digital technology in a rapidly evolving market
New and forthcoming regulation set to impact company strategies within soft drinks
Coca-Cola retains a strong lead in soft drinks thanks to its broad brand portfolio
Monster Energy thriving while smaller players gain prominence in niche areas of the market
Affordability remains a key issue as supermarkets and hypermarkets dominate sales
Foodservice playing a key role in driving retail growth and innovation
Fountain sales in the United Kingdom
COUNTRY REPORTS DISCLAIMER
Bottled Water in the United Kingdom
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Need for heathy and affordable hydration fuels strong demand for bottled water
Health concerns around tap water boost sales of bottled water in 2025
Flavoured and functional bottled water products benefit from focus on healthy indulgence
Health and sustainability set to remain a key focus of growth and innovation in bottled water
Diversified distribution and convenience trends support category expansion
UK bottled water producers face tighter controls on water sourcing, safety, and sustainability
Nestlé Waters UK retains the lead in 2025 but faces growing competition
Affordability and value remain a key influence on the market
Supermarkets and hypermarkets dominate as they continue to expand their offering
E-commerce continues to show potential as a convenient option
Carbonates in the United Kingdom
KEY DATA FINDINGS
New product development and innovation fuels a return to growth for carbonates
Daring limited editions feed the need for excitement and indulgence
The search for healthier options boosts sales of other non-cola carbonates
Healthy and natural ingredients set to be a focus of new product development
Social media, personalisation and digital innovation will be key differentiators
Carbonates go green: brands accelerate their sustainability efforts across the value chain
Coca-Cola retains its strong lead in 2025
Britvic thriving thanks to investment in innovative new products and flavours
Hypermarkets and supermarkets continue to dominate the distribution landscape
Promotions remain a key focus of retailers in 2025 while on-trade sales benefit from zebra striping trend
Concentrates in the United Kingdom
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Sales of concentrates decline as consumers shift to alternative soft drinks
Coffee concentrates one of the few bright spots for the category
Powder concentrates sees polarised demand
Health-driven reformulation and functional innovation shaping future demand
Digital transformation and product innovation
Regulatory shifts and sustainability focus
Carlsberg now the leading force in concentrates following its acquisition of Britvic
Nescafé launches cold brew coffee product while private label
Distribution landscape remains largely unchanged
E-commerce playing a growing role in the market
Concentrates Conversions
Juice in the United Kingdom
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Players invest in innovation as rising costs put pressure on volume sales
Producers switch to alternative inputs to overcome rising cost pressures
Coconut and other plant waters benefits from the trend toward healthy hydration
Health and functionality set to be the focus of innovation over the forecast period
Digital engagement driving brand visibility and sales
Tighter regulations on sugar content, labelling and marketing on the horizon
Innocent and Tropicana remain standout players thanks to ongoing investment in new product development
Players offering healthier options see strong gains
Hypermarkets and supermarkets dominate with more shelf space given to healthy options
Convenience is king as e-commerce and vending gain share
RTD Coffee in the United Kingdom
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Another strong year for RTD coffee
RTD coffee the standout soft drinks category with growth fuelled by innovation
Promotions help push volume sales
RTD coffee still full of potential
Social media and e-commerce set the pace for innovation
RTD coffee is evolving through a focus on health, functionality, and sustainability
Starbucks sets the pace with new products that tap into new trends
Competition heats up but not all players are winners
Supermarkets and hypermarkets dominate sales with a broad range of products
Forecourt retailers meet the needs of busy travellers and commuters as e-commerce taps into the convenience trend
RTD Tea in the United Kingdom
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Another strong year for sales of RTD tea
RTD tea successfully meets the demand for healthy and convenient refreshment
Carbonated RTD tea and kombucha offers a healthy alternative to alcohol and sugary drinks
RTD tea set to benefit from ongoing investment in innovation
Digitalisation and social media turn matcha and bubble tea from online trends to retail powerhouses
Targeted wellness and the rise of need states in functional RTD tea
Lipton continues to lead while innovation and new entrants reshape the RTD Tea market
Market becoming more fragmented as smaller players and private label vie for share
Supermarkets and convenience stores playing a key role in sales of RTD tea
E-commerce continues to present new sales and marketing opportunities
Energy Drinks in the United Kingdom
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Energy drinks continue to flourish despite economic pressures
Healthier choices and flavour innovation drive growth in energy drinks
Limited edition products help drive interest and excitement in energy drinks
Wider adoption of energy claims within soft drinks will increase competition for the category
Efficient use of data and technology could provide players with an edge
Regulatory and legislative developments present a challenge to the market
Intense competition, rapid innovation, and the growing influence of challenger brands
Coca-Cola cements its lead through new product development
Small local grocers and convenience stores benefit from impulse nature of energy drinks
E-commerce opens up opportunities for retailers and brands to increase their sales
Sports Drinks in the United Kingdom
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Sports drinks sees growing demand as consumers look for effective hydration
Sports drinks still full of potential as sales grow in 2025
Functionality and high-profile collaborations influence market demand
Sustained expansion set to be driven by health concerns and innovation
Digital and technological advancements are shaping the future of sports drinks
Manufacturers face tightening regulations on sugar content and marketing practices
Lucozade dominates but Powerade making big strides
Private label and smaller players providing stiff competition as Prime falls out of favour
Hypermarkets lead sales, while convenience stores drive growth
On-trade sales rise as interest and awareness grows
COUNTRY REPORTS DISCLAIMER
The following categories and subcategories are included:
Soft Drinks
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- Carbonated Natural Mineral Bottled Water
- Carbonated Spring Bottled Water
- Carbonated Purified Bottled Water
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- Still Flavoured Bottled Water
- Sparkling Flavoured Bottled Water
- Functional Bottled Water
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- Still Natural Mineral Bottled Water
- Still Spring Bottled Water
- Still Purified Bottled Water
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- Regular Carbonates
- Reduced Sugar Carbonates
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- Regular Cola Carbonates
- Reduced Sugar Cola Carbonates
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- Regular Non-Cola Carbonates
- Reduced Sugar Non-Cola Carbonates
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- Regular Lemonade/Lime
- Reduced Sugar Lemonade/Lime
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- Regular Tonic Water/Mixers/Other Bitters
- Reduced Sugar Tonic Water/Mixers/Other Bitters
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- Regular Orange Carbonates
- Reduced Sugar Orange Carbonates
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- Regular Other Non-Cola Carbonates
- Reduced Sugar Other Non-Cola Carbonates
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- Liquid Concentrates
- Powder Concentrates
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- Not from Concentrate 100% Juice
- Reconstituted 100% Juice
- Coconut and Other Plant Waters
- Juice Drinks (up to 24% Juice)
- Nectars
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- RTD Coffee
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- Carbonated RTD Tea and Kombucha
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- Regular Still RTD Tea
- Reduced Sugar Still RTD Tea
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- Regular Energy Drinks
- Reduced Sugar Energy Drinks
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- Regular Sports Drinks
- Reduced Sugar Sports Drinks
- Asian Speciality Drinks
Soft Drinks
This is the aggregation of the following categories; Carbonates, Fruit/vegetable juice, Bottled water, Functional drinks, Concentrates, RTD tea, RTD coffee and Asian speciality drinks.
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This report originates from Passport, our Soft Drinks research and analysis database.
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