In 2025, the sugar confectionery market in the UK is set to experience moderate gains in both volume and value. This improvement follows a period marked by intense sugar price fluctuations and inflationary pressures, which had previously constrained growth and consumer spending. As inflation eases and sugar prices stabilise, consumers’ confidence improves, allowing more occasions of indulgence in non-essential treats. This recovery is further being supported by the resurgence of impulse buying,

The UK gum market is experiencing positive growth in 2025, with both volume and value sales increasing. This rebound is largely attributable to the easing of inflationary pressures and the recovery of impulse sales, a key driver for gum purchases. As consumers resumed out-of-home activities, the demand for on-the-go products like gum began to recover. However, overall consumption still lags behind pre-pandemic levels primarily due to the widespread adoption of hybrid working policies, which have

In 2025, the UK chocolate confectionery market is set to achieve strong double-digit growth in current value terms. However, this performance is primarily inflation-led rather than volume-driven. The inflationary pressure within chocolate confectionery is particularly pronounced, positioning it as a notable outlier in a broader retail environment where inflationary trends have begun to stabilise. As a result, retail volume sales are expected to contract, reflecting the impact of elevated unit pr

In 2025, the UK market for sweet biscuits, snack bars and fruit snacks is set to experience robust growth in current value sales, primarily driven by inflation. Despite a slowdown in sugar and wheat prices following their peak in previous years, cocoa prices have surged due to poor harvests in major producing countries. This increase in cocoa prices has bolstered the category's growth in current value sales, although volume sales have lagged some way behind.

In 2025, the UK savoury snacks market is experiencing continued growth, with both value and volume sales rising. After a prolonged period of inflation, the market began to stabilise, and the pace of price increases slowed considerably. Key inflationary pressures driven by several factors, including elevated energy costs, supply chain disruptions, and raw material shortages, began to ease, allowing manufacturers and retailers to moderate price hikes. This renewed confidence encouraged more freque

In 2025, the UK snacks market is witnessing a clear divergence between value and volume performance. While current value sales are increasing, this growth is primarily being driven by price inflation rather than a rise in consumer demand. In contrast, retail volume sales are on the decline, largely due to the underperformance of the chocolate confectionery segment.

Value sales of ice cream are set to increase in the UK in 2025. Volume sales are also expected to increase during the year, with the ice cream market experiencing a notable resurgence that marks a turning point after several years of volume decline. This recovery follows a period of suppressed demand caused by prolonged less favourable weather during summer months and the broader impact of the cost-of-living crisis, which had reduced consumer spending on non-essential goods. Since 2024, however,

Traditional toys and games in the UK experienced a boost in value sales, largely attributed to construction and the growing kidult trend, which has seen manufacturers adapting products for adult consumers. Additionally, collectibles, nostalgia, and sustainability have played key roles in influencing sales, with consumers showing a preference for eco-friendly options.

Video games in the UK witnessed a marginal downturn in 2024, attributed to postponed game launches and a pivot towards subscription services. Hardware sales were also impacted as consumers anticipated new console releases and explored cloud gaming alternatives. Subscription models and partnerships are shaping consumer interaction, with a preference for access over one-time purchases. Retail e-commerce remains the dominant distribution channel, with market concentration on the rise.

Toys and games in the UK saw a marginal dip in value sales in 2024, despite an upturn in traditional toys and games. The kidult phenomenon, characterised by adult toy purchases, contributed to construction's growth, while video games was influenced by strategic alliances. Heightened concerns about sustainability and inclusivity are shaping product innovation and ethical standards. The market remains fairly consolidated, with retail e-commerce playing a pivotal role in sales.

Both total volume sales and value sales of alcoholic drinks in the UK fell in 2024. However, the year saw greater stability than 2023, when volumes fell faster and value rose significantly. Alcoholic drinks faced multiple challenges in the UK in 2024. Given the current economic conditions, consumers’ purchasing power has continued to decline, leading to a preference for drinking at home rather than at on-trade venues. While prices continue to rise, notably in the on-trade, consumers tend to opt

Total volume sales of wine in the UK decreased in 2024, with declines in both on-trade and off-trade channels. More old-fashioned and outdated product areas such as fortified wine and vermouth and fruit wine saw deeper falls, while sparkling wine and non alcoholic wine enjoyed volume growth thanks to high levels of innovation backed by changing consumer preferences towards affordable, healthier alternatives and convenience.

Spirits in the UK saw total volume sales fall in 2024, driven mainly by the decline in the off-trade, though on-trade sales also registered a slight contraction. The overall shift away from alcohol driven by rising health-consciousness and continuously rising prices amid the ongoing cost-of-living crises are partly responsible for deterring consumers from on-trade spirits purchases. More people are moderating their drinking and responding to higher prices by buying less. Total value sales, by co

Total volume sales of cider/perry in the UK declined in 2024, with off-trade volumes falling slightly more slowly than on-trade volumes. At the same time, off-trade value rose while on-trade value sales fell. As seen elsewhere in alcoholic drinks, demand continues to decline while value sales grow, mainly thanks to persistent price rises.

Beer overall was impacted by prevailing economic conditions in 2024, with declining consumer purchasing power leading to a preference for drinking at home rather than at on-trade venues. Off-trade volume sales of beer increased during the year while the on-trade saw declines. Though many members of beer recorded volume declines, non alcoholic and low alcohol beers posted substantial growth in 2024, boosting the broader category. Low alcohol beer stood out as the fastest-growing subcategory both

Total value sales of RTDs increased in the UK in 2024, while overall volume sales remained stable. The lack of volume growth was thanks to the decline of other RTDs, which includes hard seltzers. However, spirit-based RTDs, wine-based RTDs and non alcoholic RTDs continued to rise in volume terms. Canned RTDs accounted for the most volume sales, while products presented in glass bottles also did well with many local consumers preferring the format.

Retail volume sales of cigarettes in the UK witnessed double digit decline in 2024, with smoking prevalence continuing to fall. Consumer demand has weakened due to the general shift towards alternative products, including e-vapour and heated tobacco. Due to consumer price sensitivity, further price increases have played a key role in the declining consumption of cigarettes. Following the significant price increases in 2023, due to two tax hikes in the UK, the UK government’s Autumn 2024 budget i

Tobacco in the UK witnessed a sharp decline in volume and value sales during 2024, underpinned by the shift away from cigarettes and fine cut tobacco. In combination, these two products generate the majority of value sales in UK tobacco. Smoking prevalence has continued its downward trend, falling from over 12% in 2023 to just under 12% in 2024. The broad shifts in consumer behaviour are being driven by rising health awareness, regulatory changes, and higher taxation rates. Rising prices, largel

Within cigars, cigarillos and smoking tobacco, cigarillos was the only category to witness slight growth in volume sales due to its lower price point. Retail volume sales of cigars and cigarillos decreased slightly in 2024, whilst smoking tobacco registered a deep decline. Consumers are highly price sensitive in tobacco, as demonstrated by the significant impact of price hikes in recent years, creating a shift towards more affordable options as well as other smoking alternatives.

The year 2024 marked a dynamic shift in demand for smoking alternatives in the UK. Following three years of triple-digit value growth, e-vapour products witnessed a substantial slowdown in value sales over 2024. Consumption declined following the announcement of a pending UK ban on disposable vapes, which began to disrupt the UK market significantly. The disposable vape ban was first announced in October 2024, with the purpose of tackling youth vaping which has increased alarmingly in recent yea

Sales of eyewear in the UK have continued to grow steadily in 2025, albeit at a slower rate than in the previous year. Value growth is outpacing volume growth in spectacles and sunglasses, which is due to a variety of reasons including premiumisation, new product development, including enhanced technology and innovation, as well as price increases. Lifestyle and demographic trends, such as the UK’s ageing population, increased screen time, and a heightened interest in health, has all contributed

Historically, spectacle wearers in the UK have been perceived as less adventurous compared to their counterparts in Italy, Spain, and France, where consumers often own several pairs of spectacle frames in different bold colours to suit various occasions. UK consumers, on the other hand, like to save money on their spectacles, while others are discouraged from visiting optical good stores due their clinical atmosphere. 2025 has seen a continuation of the same prevailing trends. Due to high inflat

Sunglasses in the UK has continued to witness single-digit growth in volume and current value terms in 2025, albeit reporting slower growth than in the previous year. Sales have seen slightly stronger growth in value than volume terms with this being driven by a rise in unit prices in line with inflation. Due to the rising cost of living many British consumers have been forced to adopt cost saving measures as they look for ways to reduce their outgoings. This has had a negative impact on sales o

Sales of contact lenses in the UK are seeing more modest growth in 2025 compared to the previous year, delivering single-digit growth in volume and current value terms. This indicates a deceleration compared to the strong rebound seen from 2022 to 2024, when contact lenses recorded excellent results due to a gradual return to office environments and increased social interactions which helped value sales return to pre-pandemic levels. As this renewed interest in using contact lenses has started t