Staple foods in 2024: The big picture
As inflationary pressures begin to ease in 2024, retail volume sales of staple foods in the UK are improving. The previous two years were characterised by strong inflation, which led to a decline in demand as consumers faced increased costs.
Key trends in 2024
The HFSS regulation, implemented in the UK in October 2022, has significantly limited the in-store presence of in-scope staple food offerings, thereby affecting impulse sales. Alongside the stricter regulatory framework, rising consumer concerns around ultra-processed foods (UPFs) and HFSS (High in Fat, Sugar and Salt) content are driving significant innovation.
Competitive Landscape
As consumers' preferences evolve, there is a notable shift away from private label in some categories, which gained prominence during inflationary periods, towards artisanal and branded offerings. Unpackaged bread, cakes, and pastries are benefiting from the gradual recovery of out-of-home spending.
Channel developments
Retail witnessed significant shifts in market dynamics during 2023, with discounters such as Aldi and Lidl gaining share as consumers turned to more affordable private label options amid economic uncertainties. These discounters benefited greatly from offering a wide range of staple foods at competitive price points.
What next for staple foods?
Staple foods in the UK is poised for growth and transformation, driven by evolving consumer behaviours and economic conditions. Looking ahead, the industry is set to experience steady growth in retail volume sales as inflationary pressures continue to ease.
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Overview:
Understand the latest market trends and future growth opportunities for the Staple Foods 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 a comprehensive range of core packaged food categories.
If you're in the Staple Foods 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 Staple Foods 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 Staple Foods in United Kingdom?
- Which are the leading brands in Staple Foods in United Kingdom?
- How are products distributed in Staple Foods in United Kingdom?
- How is the rise of e-commerce and/or the expansion of modern grocery retail impacting traditional retail?
- What are the key health and wellness concerns driving, or challenging, sales in Staple Foods?
- How significant are vegan and vegetarian dietary requirements in determining sales growth in United Kingdom?
- How has COVID-19 impacted consumer demand? To what extent have lockdown, home seclusion and stockpiling boosted sales? Will the longer term economic repercussions of the pandemic stimulate or suppress future growth?
- Where is future growth expected to be most dynamic?
- How significant will values-based claims, such as sustainability and ethical labelling, be in supporting future growth and brand equity?
Staple Foods in the United Kingdom
Staple foods in 2024: The big picture
Key trends in 2024
Competitive Landscape
Channel developments
What next for staple foods?
DISCLAIMER
Baked Goods in the United Kingdom
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Retail volume sales return to growth as inflationary pressures ease
Demand for premium products starts to recover as consumer confidence improves
Rising concerns around UPFs and HFSS drive innovation
Retail volume sales set to record steady growth as inflation eases
Need for indulgence and convenience to remain key drivers of future growth
Innovation focus on health will help expand audience and increase consumption occasions
Breakfast Cereals in the United Kingdom
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Cost increases slow yet volume sales suffer due to higher cost of living
HFSS regulation drives innovation towards healthier variants
Quaker and Fuel outperform category growth and gain share
Retail volume sales to remain flat, but on-the-go occasions can boost performance
Indulgence and health to influence category’s future growth
Players heavily invest in sustainability claims
Processed Fruit and Vegetables in the United Kingdom
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Retail volume sales rise as inflation recedes
Frozen food players focus on communicating sustainability and convenience credentials
Players face pressure from private label as landscape consolidates
Opportunities emerge as outlook improves
Category to benefit from the need for convenient food options
Communicating health and sustainability can reverse consumers’ negative perceptions
Processed Meat, Seafood and Alternatives To Meat in the United Kingdom
KEY DATA FINDINGS
A return to retail volume growth following years impacted by severe inflation
Sales of meat and seafood substitutes supressed by higher cost of living
Expansion of meal occasions with convenient formats and flavour innovation
Processed poultry, seafood and meat substitutes to drive future volume growth
Premiumisation and focus on provenance can boost meat sales
Sustainability claims to expand as environmental concerns increase
Rice, Pasta and Noodles in the United Kingdom
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Rebound from the severe price increases of 2023
Flavour experimentation benefits sales of brands
Premium players invest in communicating higher-quality ingredients and regionality
Rice, pasta and noodles set to make steady gains over the forecast period
Authenticity and convenience are set to be growth engines
Producers and retailers to boost sustainability initiatives
The following categories and subcategories are included:
Staple Foods
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- Packaged Flat Bread
- Unpackaged Flat Bread
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- Packaged Leavened Bread
- Unpackaged Leavened Bread
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- Packaged Cakes
- Unpackaged Cakes
- Dessert Mixes
- Frozen Baked Goods
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- Packaged Pastries
- Unpackaged Pastries
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- Sweet Pies and Tarts
- Frozen Cakes, Sweet Pies and Tarts
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- Hot Cereals
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- Children's Breakfast Cereals
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- Flakes
- Muesli and Granola
- Other RTE Cereals
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- Shelf Stable Beans
- Shelf Stable Fruit
- Shelf Stable Tomatoes
- Shelf Stable Vegetables
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- Frozen Fruit
- Frozen Processed Potatoes
- Frozen Processed Vegetables
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- Shelf Stable Processed Red Meat
- Shelf Stable Processed Poultry
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- Chilled Processed Red Meat
- Chilled Processed Poultry
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- Frozen Processed Red Meat
- Frozen Processed Poultry
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- Shelf Stable Seafood
- Chilled Processed Seafood
- Frozen Processed Seafood
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- Chilled Meat and Seafood Substitutes
- Frozen Meat and Seafood Substitutes
- Shelf Stable Meat and Seafood Substitutes
- Tofu and Derivatives
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- Chilled Noodles
- Frozen Noodles
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- Instant Noodle Cups
- Instant Noodle Pouches
- Plain Noodles
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- Chilled Pasta
- Dried Pasta
- Rice
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Staple Foods
NOTE: Couscous, polenta and quinoa are excluded from staple foods.
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This report originates from Passport, our Staple Foods research and analysis database.
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