Bakery Market

Bakery Trends in the UK

Introduction

With an increased focus on health and wellness, consumer attitudes toward bakery products have shifted. As a result, many consumers are actively seeking healthier alternatives and becoming more attentive to the nutritional content of bakery products. Because of this, there is a growing demand for gluten-free, organic, and low-sugar bakery products. A large proportion of consumers are looking for bakery products that offer a convenient health boost.

Freshness and quality are also important factors influencing consumer attitudes toward bakery products. Consumers are likely to prioritize bakery products that contain natural, fresh, and authentic ingredients. This is particularly important in today’s cost-of-living crisis as consumers are seeking out products they deem good quality and therefore good value for money.

The Importance of Nutritional Labeling

Consumers have become more attentive to the content and ingredients in baked products. Sugar, additives, and preservatives are perceived as ‘bad’ and unhealthy ingredients that consumers are moderating and avoiding in their diets. For instance, FMCG Gurus’ consumer insights revealed of UK consumers who check nutritional labeling, 75% check for sugar content, and 50% check for health claims. This highlights that consumers are actively wanting to reduce their intake of dietary evils and increase their intake of ingredients that are better for them.

Additionally, a significant proportion of consumers find functional ingredients appealing in bakery products. Some of the most sought-after ingredient claims include high in fiber (55%) and high in protein (50%). This illustrates that consumers want a convenient health boost from bakery produce, with digestive health a top priority for many consumers. Consumers want to see a focus on boosting health whilst ensuring they receive maximum value for money.

Moreover, consumers are interested in whole grains and ancient grains in bakery products. These ingredients are deemed healthier than white bread due to their functional ingredients such as fiber. This demonstrates that brands must offer functional and better for you bakery products.

Quality in a Cost-of-Living Crisis

Despite bakery items traditionally being associated with indulgence and being less healthy, consumers are attentive to health claims on bakery products. This means consumers are seeking bakery products that have natural and authentic ingredients. For example, FMCG Gurus’ market research indicates 63% of UK consumers deem bakery products with natural ingredients as higher quality or more premium. Our findings demonstrate that consumers want products that are real and authentic because these ingredients are deemed better for them and the wider environment.

Importantly, consumers still enjoy moments of indulgence in their snacking routines but do not want to feel guilty afterward. Equally, taste is an important product attribute to consumers and brands must ensure taste is not compromised through the overemphasis of health claims. Due to this, brands should ensure sensory appeal and natural ingredients in bakery products. As a result, consumers in the UK will be likely to deem products premium and good value for money. This is especially important during today’s cost-of-living crisis.

Sustainability Claims

Consumers are seeking ways to be more environmentally friendly. Environmental and sustainable claims are important as they help consumers be proactive in their dietary and shopping habits. FMCG Gurus’ consumer insights show 67% of UK consumers find sustainability claims and pledges important in bakery products. The most appealing claims are environmentally friendly and reduced carbon footprint. This highlights an awareness among consumers regarding how food supply chains are being impacted by the climate crisis and carbon emissions. At the same time, they also realize that food production and agriculture are one of the leading causes of emissions. As a result, new and innovative farming methods which eliminate carbon footprint will be appealing to consumers.

This article is based on FMCG Gurus: Bakery Trends in the UK in 2023 – Country Reports. For more information, please click here.

Health and Wellness Trends in the Bakery Market

Introduction

In recent years and over the coming months and years, consumers have become more attentive to their health and wellness. As a result, consumers are seeking products which align with their health goals. While bakery products are typically associated with indulgence, they can be used as a convenient way to boost health and gain a nutritional boost.

Healthy Indulgence

Despite bakery items traditionally being associated with indulgence and being less healthy, consumers are attentive to health claims on bakery products. For instance, FMCG Gurus consumer insights found that consumers seek claims including non-GMO (67%), natural (66%), sugar-free (64%), and low/free from sodium (37%). This indicates that consumers look for natural ingredients that they deem real and authentic, because these ingredients are deemed better for them and the wider environment.

Consumers like to enjoy moments of indulgence in their snacking routines, but do not want to feel guilty afterwards. This is emphasized through FMCG Gurus' findings which highlight that 64% of global consumers check nutritional labelling some of the time when choosing a snack. This shows that bakery items are a common snack for consumers seeking a convenient and nutritional energy boost. In addition, the most appealing snacks are biscuits and cookies, with 63% of global consumers favoring biscuits and cookies and 46% favoring baked goods such as donuts.

Functional Ingredients

Consumers are interested in functional claims within the bakery sector as a way to actively boost and improve their health. Our research shows that when looking to improve health, 89% of consumers say they prefer food and drink to nutritional supplements. When these consumers were asked what kind of functional foods they find appealing, 47% said biscuits, 50% stated bread, and 37% said cakes and pastries. However, it is important to note that brands should not overpromote functional ingredients in these indulgent categories such as cakes and biscuits at the expense of taste and flavor.

Digestive health is the area that most consumers are looking to address. As a result, high fiber claims will be of particular interest in bakery products. Almost half of consumers say they have had high fiber food in the last twelve months to aid their digestive health. In addition, nearly six in ten consumers globally plan to improve their digestive health over the next twelve months.

While consumers find functional claims appealing, they are also skeptical about them. Especially in product categories associated more with indulgence, brands need to provide evidence on packaging to support health claims.

Sustainability

Many consumers across the globe are looking to lead more sustainable and environmentally friendly lifestyles. As a result, consumers have turned to plant based diets and products. Consumers continue to modify their dietary habits and are looking to reduce or eliminate their intake of animal based products. This is because of concerns over animal welfare issues and the belief that such dietary habits are better for the individual and the planet. FMCG Gurus consumer research finds that 28% of global consumers say they find vegan claims appealing when seeking out bakery products.

Consumers can be concerned about the impact that the climate crisis has on their health, and as such, brands should look to offset their carbon emission and strive for net zero. Our research has found that over eight in ten global consumers say it is important that food and drink brands offset their carbon footprint. Of these consumers, 72% say this is because carbon emissions can be a danger to their health.

Emotional Wellness

Bakery products can be positioned around helping consumers relax and unwind. Consumers are placing a high level of importance on their emotional and mental wellbeing over the next twelve months. Emotional wellness will be a priority for consumers within the next year and beyond as they look to deal with the stress and anxieties of a cost-of-living crisis, having spent the previous two years dealing with the uncertainties of a global pandemic. A high proportion of consumers will look to improve their mental well-being over the next twelve months, especially as a holistic approach means many see emotional wellness as just as high priority as their physical health.

This brings the opportunity for the use of ingredients and botanicals which are associated with aiding relaxation, such as cannabis oil. Our research finds that 51% of global consumers say they would be willing to try products that contain cannabis oil. Of these consumers, six in ten said they would like to try cannabis oil in cakes and pastries. Additionally, bakery products can be positioned around sharing with loved ones as consumers look to maximize their personal relationships as a way to step back from daily pressures.

This article is based on FMCG Gurus: Health & Wellness Trends in the Bakery Market – Global Report – 2023. For more information, please click here.