Soft
Soft Drinks

Soft Drinks in the United Kingdom

United Kingdom

Euromonitor International's Soft Drinks in the United Kingdom market report offers a comprehensive guide to the size and shape of the market at a national level. It provides the latest retail sales data, allowing you to identify the sectors driving growth. It identifies the leading companies, the leading brands and offers strategic analysis of key factors influencing the market - be they new product developments, packaging innovations, economic/lifestyle influences, distribution or pricing issues. Forecasts illustrate how the market is set to change.

Buy online to access strategic market analysis and an interactive statistical database of volume and value market sizes including on-trade and off-trade, company and brand shares, distribution and pricing data.


Tables: 171  |  Publication date: May 2009
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Product coverage

Asian speciality drinks; Bottled water; Carbonates; Concentrates; Fruit/vegetable juice; Functional drinks; RTD coffee; RTD tea

Executive summary

Volume growth suffers as consumers feel the recession pinch

The UK experienced the wrath of an economic recession in 2008. This, combined with a variety of factors, resulted in decelerated volume growth in 2008, not least the poor weather which also impacted soft drink sales as people stayed indoors. While the rather more costly health agenda has not vanished from consumers’ minds overnight, there has been a definite shift in priorities over the review period as consumers began to feel a significant pinch from the credit crunch. However, predominately rising food prices for most of 2008, together with a downward spiralling economy, contributed to sluggish growth across soft drink sectors, indeed all consumer goods industries.

Health continues to determine who survives in the soft drinks market

Soft drinks continued to see a swing from carbonates to stills such as fruit/vegetable juice, smoothies and bottled water, as more and more consumers recognise the value in healthy alternatives. Increasing communication about the obesity epidemic and related illnesses in addition to the government’s “five-a-day” campaign has heightened consumer awareness in increasing their intake of fruit and vegetables. Thus fruit/vegetable juice manufacturers benefited by offering the equivalent five-a-day recommendation in convenient formats. Carbonates also jumped on the health bandwagon and are switching their focus to diet, sugar-free, and holistic substitutes, while functional drinks and bottled water are seeing a hybrid of benefits and are developing into multi-functional products.

Coca-Cola sweeps soft drinks market and challenges new categories

In 2008 Coca-Cola Enterprises Ltd (CCE) continued to rule soft drinks in the UK. CCE held first position in carbonates as well as fruit/vegetable juice, despite problems experienced by its bottled water and concentrates brands and improved performances from heavy hitters such as Britvic and GSK. In response to its failure of Dasani in 2004, CCE announced its intention to acquire Waters & Robson Holdings Ltd, the owners of Abbey Well natural mineral water. This purchase, indeed, assists in the company’s goal to rebrand itself as a ‘total beverage’ company and distances itself from relying solely on carbonates. Furthermore, the launch of V water boosts the company’s perception of being more in line with better-for-you products.

Convenience stores boosted by convenience-driven culture

With the market growth being driven mainly by functional drinks and bottled water, the strongest distribution channels have been convenience stores and small grocery retailers. Convenience store growth over the past decade has undeniably been at the forefront of this, but also the suitability of these drinks as impulse buys have led to convenience stores’ rising distribution share.

Soft drinks well-positioned for further growth

As consumers increasingly maintain fast-paced lifestyles and seek convenient products that promote health, wellness, and other added benefits, the soft drinks market will likely continue to grow over the medium term. Unquestionably, the smoking ban and tightening drink drive regulations will continue to make soft drinks less of the exception and more of the rule in the on-trade. In the off-trade, in addition, more colourful health orientated mixes are expected to continue driving consumer demand through heightened expectation. It must be noted, however, that the industry will have to prepare itself for the environmental stigma which has already impaired bottled water as a wasteful industry in terms of packaging and resources.

Table of contents

SOFT DRINKS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM : MARKET INSIGHT

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Volume growth suffers as consumers feel the recession pinch

Health continues to determine who survives in the soft drinks market

Coca-Cola sweeps soft drinks market and challenges new categories

Convenience stores boosted by convenience-driven culture

Soft drinks well-positioned for further growth

KEY TRENDS AND DEVELOPMENTS

UK consumers continue their health crave

UK government and soft drinks players go green

Credit crunch finally catches up with pricing and consumer spending habits

Convenience demand opens off-trade door to soft drinks players

Private label creeps up in the soft drinks race

MARKET DATA

Table 1 Off-trade vs On-trade Sales of Soft Drinks (as sold) by Channel: Volume 2003-2008

Table 2 Off-trade vs On-trade Sales of Soft Drinks (as sold) by Channel: % Volume Growth 2003-2008

Table 3 Off-trade vs On-trade Sales of Soft Drinks by Channel: Value 2003-2008

Table 4 Off-trade vs On-trade Sales of Soft Drinks by Channel: % Value Growth 2003-2008

Table 5 Off-trade vs On-trade Sales of Soft Drinks (as sold) by Sector: Volume 2008

Table 6 Off-trade vs On-trade Sales of Soft Drinks (as sold) by Sector: % Volume 2008

Table 7 Off-trade vs On-trade Sales of Soft Drinks by Sector: Value 2008

Table 8 Off-trade vs On-trade Sales of Soft Drinks by Sector: % Value 2008

Table 9 Off-trade Sales of Soft Drinks (as sold) by Sector: Volume 2003-2008

Table 10 Off-trade Sales of Soft Drinks (as sold) by Sector: % Volume Growth 2003-2008

Table 11 Off-trade Sales of Soft Drinks by Sector: Value 2003-2008

Table 12 Off-trade Sales of Soft Drinks by Sector: % Value Growth 2003-2008

Table 13 Company Shares of Soft Drinks (RTD) by Total Volume 2004-2008

Table 14 Brand Shares of Soft Drinks (RTD) by Total Volume 2005-2008

Table 15 Company Shares of On-trade Soft Drinks (RTD) by Volume 2004-2008

Table 16 Brand Shares of On-trade Soft Drinks (RTD) by Volume 2005-2008

Table 17 Company Shares of Off-trade Soft Drinks (as sold) by Volume 2004-2008

Table 18 Brand Shares of Off-trade Soft Drinks (as sold) by Volume 2005-2008

Table 19 Company Shares of Off-trade Soft Drinks (RTD) by Volume 2004-2008

Table 20 Brand Shares of Off-trade Soft Drinks (RTD) by Volume 2005-2008

Table 21 Company Shares of Off-trade Soft Drinks by Value 2004-2008

Table 22 Brand Shares of Off-trade Soft Drinks by Value 2005-2008

Table 23 Penetration of Private Label (as sold) by Sector by Volume 2003-2008

Table 24 Penetration of Private Label by Sector by Value 2003-2008

Table 25 Off-trade Sales of Soft Drinks by Sector and Distribution Format: % Analysis 2008

Table 26 Forecast Off-trade vs On-trade Sales of Soft Drinks (as sold) by Channel: Volume 2008-2013

Table 27 Forecast Off-trade vs On-trade Sales of Soft Drinks (as sold) by Channel: % Volume Growth 2008-2013

Table 28 Forecast Off-trade vs On-trade Sales of Soft Drinks by Channel: Value 2008-2013

Table 29 Forecast Off-trade vs On-trade Sales of Soft Drinks by Channel: % Value Growth 2008-2013

Table 30 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Soft Drinks (as sold) by Sector: Volume 2008-2013

Table 31 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Soft Drinks (as sold) by Sector: % Volume Growth 2008-2013

Table 32 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Soft Drinks by Sector: Value 2008-2013

Table 33 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Soft Drinks by Sector: % Value Growth 2008-2013

APPENDIX

FOUNTAIN SALES in United Kingdom

DATA

Table 34 Off-trade Sales of Concentrates (RTD) by Subsector: Volume 2003-2008

Table 35 Off-trade Sales of Concentrates (RTD) by Subsector: % Volume Growth 2003-2008

Table 36 Company Shares of Liquid Concentrates (as sold) by Off-trade Volume 2004-2008

Table 37 Brand Shares of Liquid Concentrates (as sold) by Off-trade Volume 2005-2008

Table 38 Company Shares of Powder Concentrates (as sold) by Off-trade Volume 2004-2008

Table 39 Brand Shares of Powder Concentrates (as sold) by Off-trade Volume 2005-2008

Table 40 Company Shares of Concentrates (RTD) by Off-trade Volume 2004-2008

Table 41 Brand Shares of Concentrates (RTD) by Off-trade Volume 2005-2008

Table 42 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Concentrates (RTD) by Subsector: Volume 2008-2013

Table 43 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Concentrates (RTD) by Subsector: % Volume Growth 2008-2013

DEFINITIONS

Summary 1 Research Sources

LOCAL COMPANY PROFILES - UNITED KINGDOM

BARR (AG) PLC - SOFT DRINKS - UNITED KINGDOM

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 2 Barr (AG) Plc: Key Facts

Summary 3 Barr (AG) Plc: Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

PRODUCTION

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 4 Barr (AG) Plc: Competitive Position 2008

BRITVIC PLC - SOFT DRINKS - UNITED KINGDOM

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 5 Britvic Plc: Key Facts

Summary 6 Britvic Plc: Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

PRODUCTION

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 7 Britvic Plc: Competitive Position 2008

COCA-COLA ENTERPRISES LTD - SOFT DRINKS - UNITED KINGDOM

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 8 Coca-Cola Enterprises Ltd: Key Facts

COMPANY BACKGROUND

PRODUCTION

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 9 Coca-Cola Enterprises Ltd: Competitive Position 2008

DANONE WATERS (UK & IRELAND) LTD - SOFT DRINKS - UNITED KINGDOM

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 10 Danone Waters (UK & Ireland) Ltd: Key Facts

COMPANY BACKGROUND

PRODUCTION

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 11 Danone Waters (UK & Ireland) Ltd: Competitive Position 2008

GLAXOSMITHKLINE PLC - SOFT DRINKS - UNITED KINGDOM

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 12 GlaxoSmithKline Plc: Key Facts

Summary 13 GlaxoSmithKline Plc: Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

PRODUCTION

Summary 14 GlaxoSmithKline Plc: Production Statistics 2008

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 15 GlaxoSmithKline Plc: Competitive Position 2008

INNOCENT DRINKS CO LTD - SOFT DRINKS - UNITED KINGDOM

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 16 Innocent Drinks Co Ltd: Key Facts

Summary 17 Innocent Drinks Co Ltd: Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

PRODUCTION

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 18 Innocent Drinks Co Ltd: Competitive Position 2008

NESTLé WATERS UK LTD - SOFT DRINKS - UNITED KINGDOM

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 19 Nestlé Waters UK Ltd: Key Facts

Summary 20 Nestlé Waters UK Ltd: Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

PRODUCTION

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 21 Nestlé Waters UK Ltd: Competitive Position 2008

TROPICANA UK LTD - SOFT DRINKS - UNITED KINGDOM

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 22 Tropicana UK Ltd: Key Facts

COMPANY BACKGROUND

PRODUCTION

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 23 Tropicana UK Ltd: Competitive Position 2008

CARBONATES IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

HEADLINES

TRENDS

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

PROSPECTS

SECTOR DATA

Table 44 Low Calorie Carbonates by Subsector

Table 45 Off-trade Sales of Carbonates by Subsector: Volume 2003-2008

Table 46 Off-trade Sales of Carbonates by Subsector: Value 2003-2008

Table 47 Off-trade Sales of Carbonates by Subsector: % Volume Growth 2003-2008

Table 48 Off-trade Sales of Carbonates by Subsector: % Value Growth 2003-2008

Table 49 On-trade vs Off-trade Sales of Carbonates: Volume 2003-2008

Table 50 On-trade vs Off-trade Sales of Carbonates: Value 2003-2008

Table 51 On-trade vs Off-trade Sales of Carbonates: % Volume Growth 2003-2008

Table 52 On-trade vs Off-trade Sales of Carbonates: % Value Growth 2003-2008

Table 53 Leading Flavours for Cola Carbonates: % Volume Breakdown 2003-2008

Table 54 Leading Flavours for Non-cola Carbonates: % Volume Breakdown 2003-2008

Table 55 Company Shares of Carbonates by Off-trade Volume 2004-2008

Table 56 Brand Shares of Carbonates by Off-trade Volume 2005-2008

Table 57 Company Shares of Carbonates by Off-trade Value 2004-2008

Table 58 Brand Shares of Carbonates by Off-trade Value 2005-2008

Table 59 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Carbonates by Subsector: Volume 2008-2013

Table 60 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Carbonates by Subsector: Value 2008-2013

Table 61 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Carbonates by Subsector: % Volume Growth 2008-2013

Table 62 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Carbonates by Subsector: % Value Growth 2008-2013

FRUIT/VEGETABLE JUICE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

HEADLINES

TRENDS

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

PROSPECTS

SECTOR DATA

Table 63 Off-trade Sales of Fruit/Vegetable Juice by Subsector: Volume 2003-2008

Table 64 Off-trade Sales of Fruit/Vegetable Juice by Subsector: Value 2003-2008

Table 65 Off-trade Sales of Fruit/Vegetable Juice by Subsector: % Volume Growth 2003-2008

Table 66 Off-trade Sales of Fruit/Vegetable Juice by Subsector: % Value Growth 2003-2008

Table 67 Leading Flavours for 100% Juice: % Volume Breakdown 2003-2008

Table 68 Leading Flavours for Nectars (25-99% Juice): % Volume Breakdown 2003-2008

Table 69 Leading Flavours for Juice Drinks (up to 24% Juice): % Volume Breakdown 2003-2008

Table 70 % Share of Smoothies in 100% Juice and Nectars (25-99% Juice): Off-trade Value 2008

Table 71 Chilled Vs Ambient Not From Concentrate 100% Juice: % Analysis 2003-2008

Table 72 Chilled Vs Ambient Reconstituted 100% Juice: % Analysis 2003-2008

Table 73 Company Shares of Fruit/Vegetable Juice by Off-trade Volume 2004-2008

Table 74 Brand Shares of Fruit/Vegetable Juice by Off-trade Volume 2005-2008

Table 75 Company Shares of Fruit/Vegetable Juice by Off-trade Value 2004-2008

Table 76 Brand Shares of Fruit/Vegetable Juice by Off-trade Value 2005-2008

Table 77 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Fruit/Vegetable Juice by Subsector: Volume 2008-2013

Table 78 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Fruit/Vegetable Juice by Subsector: Value 2008-2013

Table 79 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Fruit/Vegetable Juice by Subsector: % Volume Growth 2008-2013

Table 80 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Fruit/Vegetable Juice by Subsector: % Value Growth 2008-2013

BOTTLED WATER IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

HEADLINES

TRENDS

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

PROSPECTS

SECTOR DATA

Institutional Bottled Water Sales

Table 81 Sales of Bottled Water to Institutional Channel 2004-2008

Table 82 Off-trade Sales of Bottled Water: Volume 2003-2008

Table 83 Off-trade Sales of Bottled Water: Value 2003-2008

Table 84 Off-trade Sales of Bottled Water: % Volume Growth 2003-2008

Table 85 Off-trade Sales of Bottled Water: % Value Growth 2003-2008

Table 86 Leading Flavours for Flavoured Bottled Water: % Volume Breakdown 2003-2008

Table 87 Leading Flavours for Functional Bottled Water: % Volume Breakdown 2003-2008

Table 88 Company Shares of Bottled Water by Off-trade Volume 2004-2008

Table 89 Brand Shares of Bottled Water by Off-trade Volume 2005-2008

Table 90 Company Shares of Bottled Water by Off-trade Value 2004-2008

Table 91 Brand Shares of Bottled Water by Off-trade Value 2005-2008

Table 92 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Bottled Water: Volume 2008-2013

Table 93 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Bottled Water: Value 2008-2013

Table 94 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Bottled Water: % Volume Growth 2008-2013

Table 95 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Bottled Water: % Value Growth 2008-2013

FUNCTIONAL DRINKS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

HEADLINES

TRENDS

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

PROSPECTS

SECTOR DATA

Table 96 Still vs Carbonated Functional Drinks % Off-trade Volume 2005-2008

Table 97 Off-trade Sales of Functional Drinks by Subsector: Volume 2003-2008

Table 98 Off-trade Sales of Functional Drinks by Subsector: Value 2003-2008

Table 99 Off-trade Sales of Functional Drinks by Subsector: % Volume Growth 2003-2008

Table 100 Off-trade Sales of Functional Drinks by Subsector: % Value Growth 2003-2008

Table 101 Leading Flavours for Functional Drinks: % Volume Breakdown 2003-2008

Table 102 Company Shares of Functional Drinks by Off-trade Volume 2004-2008

Table 103 Brand Shares of Functional Drinks by Off-trade Volume 2005-2008

Table 104 Company Shares of Functional Drinks by Off-trade Value 2004-2008

Table 105 Brand Shares of Functional Drinks by Off-trade Value 2005-2008

Table 106 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Functional Drinks by Subsector: Volume 2008-2013

Table 107 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Functional Drinks by Subsector: Value 2008-2013

Table 108 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Functional Drinks by Subsector: % Volume Growth 2008-2013

Table 109 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Functional Drinks by Subsector: % Value Growth 2008-2013

CONCENTRATES IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

HEADLINES

TRENDS

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

PROSPECTS

SECTOR APPENDIX

Concentrates Conversions

Table 110 Concentrates Conversion Factors for Ready-to-Drink (RTD) Format

Table 111 Off-trade Sales of Concentrates (as sold) by Subsector: Volume 2003-2008

Table 112 Off-trade Sales of Concentrates (as sold) by Subsector: % Volume Growth 2003-2008

Table 113 Off-trade Sales of Concentrates by Subsector: Value 2003-2008

Table 114 Off-trade Sales of Concentrates by Subsector: % Value Growth 2003-2008

Table 115 Leading Flavours for Liquid Concentrates: % Volume Breakdown 2003-2008

Table 116 Leading Flavours for Powder Concentrates: % Volume Breakdown 2003-2008

Table 117 Company Shares of Concentrates by Off-trade Value 2004-2008

Table 118 Brand Shares of Concentrates by Off-trade Value 2005-2008

Table 119 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Concentrates (as sold) by Subsector: Volume 2008-2013

Table 120 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Concentrates (as sold) by Subsector: % Volume Growth 2008-2013

Table 121 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Concentrates by Subsector: Value 2008-2013

Table 122 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Concentrates by Subsector: % Value Growth 2008-2013

RTD TEA IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

HEADLINES

TRENDS

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

PROSPECTS

SECTOR DATA

Table 123 Off-trade Sales of RTD Tea by Subsector: Volume 2003-2008

Table 124 Off-trade Sales of RTD Tea by Subsector: Value 2003-2008

Table 125 Off-trade Sales of RTD Tea by Subsector: % Volume Growth 2003-2008

Table 126 Off-trade Sales of RTD Tea by Subsector: % Value Growth 2003-2008

Table 127 Leading Flavours for RTD Tea: % Volume Breakdown 2005-2008

Table 128 Company Shares of RTD Tea by Off-trade Volume 2004-2008

Table 129 Brand Shares of RTD Tea by Off-trade Volume 2005-2008

Table 130 Company Shares of RTD Tea by Off-trade Value 2004-2008

Table 131 Brand Shares of RTD Tea by Off-trade Value 2005-2008

Table 132 Forecast Off-trade Sales of RTD Tea by Subsector: Volume 2008-2013

Table 133 Forecast Off-trade Sales of RTD Tea by Subsector: Value 2008-2013

Table 134 Forecast Off-trade Sales of RTD Tea by Subsector: % Volume Growth 2008-2013

Table 135 Forecast Off-trade Sales of RTD Tea by Subsector: % Value Growth 2008-2013

RTD COFFEE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

HEADLINES

TRENDS

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

PROSPECTS

SECTOR DATA

Table 136 Off-trade Sales of RTD Coffee: Volume 2003-2008

Table 137 Off-trade Sales of RTD Coffee: Value 2003-2008

Table 138 Off-trade Sales of RTD Coffee: % Volume Growth 2003-2008

Table 139 Off-trade Sales of RTD Coffee: % Value Growth 2003-2008

Table 140 Company Shares of RTD Coffee by Off-trade Volume 2004-2008

Table 141 Brand Shares of RTD Coffee by Off-trade Volume 2005-2008

Table 142 Leading Flavours for RTD Coffee: % Volume Breakdown 2003-2008

Table 143 Company Shares of RTD Coffee by Off-trade Value 2004-2008

Table 144 Brand Shares of RTD Coffee by Off-trade Value 2005-2008

Table 145 Forecast Off-trade Sales of RTD Coffee: Volume 2008-2013

Table 146 Forecast Off-trade Sales of RTD Coffee: Value 2008-2013

Table 147 Forecast Off-trade Sales of RTD Coffee: % Volume Growth 2008-2013

Table 148 Forecast Off-trade Sales of RTD Coffee: % Value Growth 2008-2013

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