The food market in the United Kingdom has witnessed continuous year-on-year growth and is expected to peak with a
by 2030. If growth continues as expected, this would be a growth of almost one-third since 2025. Of all product categories,
, followed by dairy products, eggs, and vegetables. A
The discount shopper
Consumers in Great Britain are worried about food prices; some 82 percent of surveyed shoppers in November 2024 were
expecting food prices to increase in the coming six months.
Food shoppers in Northern Ireland were the most worried about affording food in the coming months, while shoppers in the South East and East of England were the least concerned when surveyed in October 2024. Worries about food affordability could further fuel the growth of discount supermarkets in the UK. The
growth in Aldi's sales displays a shift in shopper behavior, as levels of growth reached new highs throughout 2023 and have positive since. Consumer supermarket preferences mirror this growth in sales;
Aldi and Lidl both ranked in the top three most popular supermarket chains in the UK in 2024. Private label items are also a popular alternative for discount shoppers. Surveyed shoppers were most likely to purchase
private label milk products, pasta, and rice.
Sustainability remains important
Food shoppers in the UK not only flocked towards discounters and online purchase channels in recent years but are also moving towards more conscious consumerism. Buying more seasonal produce and locally produced products are some of the
most popular sustainable habits among survey respondents from the UK. Of all food-related behaviors, reducing food waste topped the ranking.
The increased
cost of sustainable food and beverage products compared to their standard counterparts remains a barrier for many food shoppers. When surveyed, almost half of respondents stated price as a reason for not purchasing such products. Shoppers also want to see supermarkets doing their bit to help the environment. Food waste management systems, a reduction in plastic usage, and increased energy efficiency were the three
top practices that respondents wanted food retailers to implement. In another survey focusing on the overall food and beverage industry,
affordable pricing was the number one wish of UK survey respondents.
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