'Flexitarian' Diet Leads The Nation's Changing Choices

‘Flexitarian’ diet leads the nation’s changing choices

According to new research, UK shoppers spend £25 a week on vegetarian and vegan products, totalling £1.3bn a year.

Retail shopping app Ubamarket quizzed more than 2,000 UK adults to reveal how dietary trends are reshaping the retail industry. The research reveals:

31% of Brits – 16.08m people – are eating more vegetarian and vegan meals than ever before
32% of Brits – 16.72m – are consciously trying to eat less meat, for reasons ranging from their health to the environmental impact of the agriculture industry
36% of meat-eaters, representing 18.97m Brits, are buying vegetarian and vegan specialist products
26% of Brits said that trends like Veganuary and Sugar Awareness Week are shaping their shopping habit
Brits spend £25 per week on vegetarian and vegan products, totalling £1.3bn a year
23% – 11.77m – are stocking up on gluten-free meals despite not having any intolerance

The flexitarian diet is on the rise, with millions more adopting eating habits that reduce the amount of meat, dairy and eggs they eat. The current market for meat-free products is expected to be valued at £658m by 2021, up from £572m in 2017. However consumers value their own spend on specialist vegan and vegetarian products at more than £25 a week, amounting to a yearly national spend of £1.3bn.

“The importance of having systems in place that grant freedom for shoppers to make their own dietary decisions has never been more apparent,” said Will Broome, CEO of Ubamarket. “With easier ways to identify important allergens and ingredients on labels, more convenient store layouts and a smoother shopping format, consumers will be able to subscribe to alternative diets with ease.”