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The grocery market in the United Kingdom has witnessed continuous year-on-year growth since 2004 that culminated in a retail market size exceeding 211.9 billion British pounds in 2021. This market is expected to continue its steady growth path every year until 2027, with the fastest growth occurring in the discounter retail channel. Between 2021 and 2027, discounters are expected to gain additional market share in the UK grocery market at the expense of brick-and-mortar supermarkets and hypermarkets. An increase in consumer expenditure on food and non-alcoholic drinks has fueled market growth, increasing from around 67 billion British pounds in 2005 to over 126.5 billion pounds in 2022.
The discount shopper
Consumers in Great Britain are worried about food prices; some 82 percent of surveyed shoppers in April 2023 were expecting food prices to increase in the coming six months. Such concerns could further fuel the growth of discount supermarkets further in the UK. The cost-of-living crisis and price of day-to-day groceries has pushed some consumers to think twice about where they do their food shopping. Among survey respondents who had switched their main supermarket when asked in 2022, Aldi and Lidl were the top two most popular alternatives. Over 40 percent of shoppers had switched to Aldi and 24 percent to Lidl. The growth in Aldi's sales mirrors this shift in shopper behavior, as levels of growth reached new highs throughout 2023. As well as switching supermarkets, consumers are replacing name brand products with own brand products in their shopping baskets. Shoppers were the most likely to have done so for crisps, snacks, cereals, biscuits, and sweets.
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. Sustainable production methods also impact shopper decisions; almost 50 percent of consumers would be incentivized to purchase a supermarket product if it was sustainably farmed. However, the increased cost of sustainable food and beverage products compared to their standard counterparts remains a barrier for many food shoppers. When surveyed in summer 2023, 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.
This text provides general information. Statista assumes no liability for the information given being complete or correct. Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date data than referenced in the text.
Published by Emma Bedford, Mar 18, 2024
Key insights
- Market value of grocery retail in the UK
- 211.9bn GBP
Detailed statistics
Grocery market value in the United Kingdom (UK) 2004-2027
- Market value of grocery retail in supermarkets in the UK
- 91bn GBP
Detailed statistics
United Kingdom: grocery retail market value 2020-2027, by channel
- Consumer expenditure on food and non-alcoholic drinks in the UK
- 126.74bn GBP
Detailed statistics
Expenditure on food and non-alcoholic beverages in the United Kingdom 2005-2022
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Grocery market overview
4
- Premium Statistic Grocery market value in the United Kingdom (UK) 2004-2027
- Premium Statistic United Kingdom: grocery retail market value 2020-2027, by channel
- Premium Statistic United Kingdom: grocery channel retail value share 2016-2027
- Basic Statistic Most popular supermarket chains in the UK Q4 2023
Grocery market overview
- Premium Statistic Grocery market value in the United Kingdom (UK) 2004-2027
Grocery market value in the United Kingdom (UK) 2004-2027
Market value of grocery retail in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2004 to 2027 (in billion GBP)
- Premium Statistic United Kingdom: grocery retail market value 2020-2027, by channel
United Kingdom: grocery retail market value 2020-2027, by channel
Market value of grocery retail in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2020 to 2027, by channel (in billion GBP)
- Premium Statistic United Kingdom: grocery channel retail value share 2016-2027
United Kingdom: grocery channel retail value share 2016-2027
Share of grocery retail channels based on value in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2016 to 2027
- Basic Statistic Most popular supermarket chains in the UK Q4 2023
Most popular supermarket chains in the UK Q4 2023
Most popular supermarket chains in the United Kingdom (UK) as of Q4 2023
Food expenditure
5
- Basic Statistic Expenditure on food and non-alcoholic beverages in the United Kingdom 2005-2022
- Basic Statistic Food and drink quarterly expenditure in the United Kingdom 2012-2023
- Premium Statistic Food and drink: Weekly UK household expenditure 2001/02-2021/22
- Premium Statistic Food and drink: Weekly UK household expenditure 2022, by place of purchase
- Premium Statistic Minimum discount needed to impact food or beverage purchase in the UK 2023
Food expenditure
- Basic Statistic Expenditure on food and non-alcoholic beverages in the United Kingdom 2005-2022
Expenditure on food and non-alcoholic beverages in the United Kingdom 2005-2022
Consumer spending on food and non-alcoholic drinks in the United Kingdom from 2005 to 2022 (in million GBP)*
- Basic Statistic Food and drink quarterly expenditure in the United Kingdom 2012-2023
Food and drink quarterly expenditure in the United Kingdom 2012-2023
Consumer spending on food and non-alcoholic beverages in the United Kingdom from Q1 2012 to Q3 2023 (in million GBP)
- Premium Statistic Food and drink: Weekly UK household expenditure 2001/02-2021/22
Food and drink: Weekly UK household expenditure 2001/02-2021/22
Average weekly household expenditure on food and non-alcoholic drinks in the United Kingdom (UK) from FY 2001/02 to FY 2021/22 (in GBP)*
- Premium Statistic Food and drink: Weekly UK household expenditure 2022, by place of purchase
Food and drink: Weekly UK household expenditure 2022, by place of purchase
Average weekly household expenditure on food and non-alcoholic drinks in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2022, by place of purchase (in GBP)
- Premium Statistic Minimum discount needed to impact food or beverage purchase in the UK 2023
Minimum discount needed to impact food or beverage purchase in the UK 2023
If a food or beverage product was on special offer, what is the minimum discount that would incentivize you to buy it?
Purchase channels
5
- Premium Statistic Grocery shopping by store type in the UK 2024
- Basic Statistic Share of shoppers buying groceries mostly online vs. in-store in the UK 2023
- Premium Statistic Where shoppers think they can get the best grocery discounts in the UK 2023
Purchase channels
- Premium Statistic Grocery shopping by store type in the UK 2024
Grocery shopping by store type in the UK 2024
Grocery shopping by store type in the UK as of March 2024
- Basic Statistic Share of shoppers buying groceries mostly online vs. in-store in the UK 2023
Share of shoppers buying groceries mostly online vs. in-store in the UK 2023
Share of shoppers buying groceries mostly online vs. in-store in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2nd quarter 2023
Online grocery & beverage shopping by store brand in the UK 2024
Online grocery & beverage shopping by store brand in the UK as of March 2024
Groceries & beverages purchased online by category in the UK 2024
Groceries & beverages purchased online by category in the UK as of March 2024
- Premium Statistic Where shoppers think they can get the best grocery discounts in the UK 2023
Where shoppers think they can get the best grocery discounts in the UK 2023
Where do you believe you can get the best deals when shopping for groceries?
Sustainable shopping habits
7
- Premium Statistic Ethical food and drink spending in the UK, 2017-2022
- Premium Statistic Sustainable shopping behaviors according to UK shoppers 2022-2023
- Premium Statistic Reasons UK consumers buy sustainable food and drinks 2023
- Premium Statistic Barriers to buying sustainable food and beverage in the UK 2023
- Premium Statistic Shoppers who buy sustainable food and beverages in the UK 2023, by generation
- Premium Statistic Sustainable practices wanted in supermarkets in the UK 2023
Sustainable shopping habits
- Premium Statistic Ethical food and drink spending in the UK, 2017-2022
Ethical food and drink spending in the UK, 2017-2022
Spending on ethical food and drink products in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2017 to 2022 (in million British pounds)
- Premium Statistic Sustainable shopping behaviors according to UK shoppers 2022-2023
Sustainable shopping behaviors according to UK shoppers 2022-2023
Share of sustainable shopping behaviors among UK shoppers in 2022 and 2023
See AlsoWhy the UK has such cheap food Sustainable food & drink purchase criteria in the UK 2023
Leading purchase criteria for sustainable foods and drinks in the United Kingdom as of June 2023
- Premium Statistic Reasons UK consumers buy sustainable food and drinks 2023
Reasons UK consumers buy sustainable food and drinks 2023
Reasons for purchasing sustainable food and beverages in the United Kingdom as of June 2023
- Premium Statistic Barriers to buying sustainable food and beverage in the UK 2023
Barriers to buying sustainable food and beverage in the UK 2023
Barriers to purchasing sustainable food and beverage in the United Kingdom as of June 2023
- Premium Statistic Shoppers who buy sustainable food and beverages in the UK 2023, by generation
Shoppers who buy sustainable food and beverages in the UK 2023, by generation
Share of consumers who purchase sustainable food and beverage products in the United Kingdom as of June 2023, by generation
- Premium Statistic Sustainable practices wanted in supermarkets in the UK 2023
Sustainable practices wanted in supermarkets in the UK 2023
Types of sustainable practices consumers want to see in supermarkets in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2023
Inflation impact
5
- Premium Statistic Ways consumers are saving on grocery costs in the UK 2023
- Premium Statistic Likelihood to shop around grocery discounts in the UK 2023
- Premium Statistic Ways to stay informed on grocery discounts in the UK 2023
- Premium Statistic Likelihood to buy supermarket private label products in the UK 2023
- Premium Statistic Changes in eating behavior for financial reasons in the UK in 2023
Inflation impact
- Premium Statistic Ways consumers are saving on grocery costs in the UK 2023
Ways consumers are saving on grocery costs in the UK 2023
Ways consumers are trying to save on food costs due to rising prices in the United Kingdom (UK) as of August 2023
- Premium Statistic Likelihood to shop around grocery discounts in the UK 2023
Likelihood to shop around grocery discounts in the UK 2023
How likely are you to shop around for the best deals on food and beverage products at the moment?
- Premium Statistic Ways to stay informed on grocery discounts in the UK 2023
Ways to stay informed on grocery discounts in the UK 2023
What are the main ways you stay informed about deals on food and beverage products?
- Premium Statistic Likelihood to buy supermarket private label products in the UK 2023
Likelihood to buy supermarket private label products in the UK 2023
How likely are you to purchase a supermarket’s own-label brands?
- Premium Statistic Changes in eating behavior for financial reasons in the UK in 2023
Changes in eating behavior for financial reasons in the UK in 2023
Changes in eating habits and food-related behavior for financial reasons in the past 12 months in the United Kingdom (excluding Scotland) in 2023
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