United Kingdom

The UK’s packaging industry is currently influenced by two prominent trends. Firstly, the widespread use of flexible plastic packaging, especially in areas like cheese packaging, which is being driven by its cost-effectiveness, convenience and…

Overall demand for colour cosmetics in the UK stagnated in 2023, while value sales continued to grow. In 2022, inflation in the UK surged to 9.1%, due to the aftermath of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine. While this rate slowed in 2023, further…

PET jars, which have long since become the main pack type in this category, continued to gain share in nut- and seed-based spreads in 2023. PET jars are valued for their shatterproof and non-reactive properties, ensuring the safety of the contents.…

Skin care in the UK experienced solid growth in both value and volume terms in 2023, as unit price rises were accompanied by a growing consumer appetite for skin care products. This was a shift away from 2022 when the category experienced a marginal…

Men’s grooming in the UK recorded a second consecutive year of positive volume growth in 2023 due to greater mobility outside of the home and local consumers becoming increasingly open to experimenting with their grooming habits. On the other hand,…

Flexible plastic accounts for the greatest pack type share in baby food packaging in the UK. This low-cost, compact pack type is ideal for small, convenient baby food packages, particularly in categories such as “other baby food”. This category…

Persistent challenges of inflation and ongoing supply chain disruptions that characterised 2023 are still being observed in pet care in the UK, although unit price growth is starting to slow. Multinational pet food companies face ongoing obstacles…

Demand for home insecticides in the UK remained relatively stable in 2023, but very undynamic, as many of these products are considered to be of relatively little importance to consumers. Home insecticides are very season-dependent, as flying insects…

Toy and games in the UK recorded solid current value growth in 2023. Value growth for traditional toys and games was higher than the previous year, while video games returned to its positive trajectory following a marginal downturn in 2022 as demand…

Hair care recorded another year of solid current value growth in 2023, but this was predominantly driven by unit price increases, as established products such as standard shampoos and 2-in-1 products contracted in volume terms. Diminishing interest…

Pet products in the UK continues to be challenged, experiencing slow positive value growth driven by inflation. Pet owners remain reluctant to invest in discretionary pet products, caused by the enduring impact of inflationary pressures. This is…

In 2023, full-service restaurants were able to open without any related pandemic restrictions, with COVID-19 no longer a major concern for local consumers. However, extremely high operating costs amid the cost-of-living crisis meant that any ongoing…

The return to normal life following COVID-19 is anticipated to continue benefiting writing instruments in 2023, particularly due to the return of regular school attendance. For instance, products such as ball point pens, and especially markers and…

Personal accessories is anticipated to keep expanding in retail volume terms in the UK in 2023, due to continued indulgence amongst consumers in the country, as well as the resurgence and growth of inbound tourism. While sales are also anticipated to…

Video games in the UK returned to value growth in 2023, following a marginal decline the previous year. The category experienced a surge in growth during the pandemic as many local consumers turned to video games as a form of entertainment when they…

PET bottles are the leading pack type in the UK soft drinks packaging market due to their durability and affordability, with PET bottles also expected to continue being the most widely used packaging format over the forecast period. PET bottles are…

Fresh coffee beans was one of the best performers among the various hot drinks categories in 2023, benefiting from premiumisation. In particular, it has been benefiting from single-origin and speciality coffee, as consumers become more concerned…

In 2023, inflation was once again the major factor impacting the performance of tissue and hygiene in the UK. Both retail tissue and retail hygiene experienced high single-digit value growth in 2023, mainly propelled by the high inflationary…

The pandemic increased consumers’ hygiene awareness, leading to a surge in sales of surface care in 2020, when COVID-19 first emerged. Demand for surface care has continued to be strong since, with 2023 seeing higher sales than pre-pandemic levels,…

While demand for home care continued to decline marginally in 2023, overall retail volume sales remained above pre-pandemic levels, as certain habits have persisted in the UK. The explanation for this decline is two-fold: greater mobility has seen…