The resurgence of commuters has significantly bolstered the demand for food-to-go options, including convenient lunch boxes and snacks.
Commuting patterns have evolved, with many individuals now traveling to work less frequently than before the pandemic.
Despite this reduction in daily commutes, food-on-the-go sales have surged by 13.3% year-on-year, reaching nearly £38.4 billion, with unit sales up 7.7% (Kantar).
This growth follows the COVID slump, with a change in working patterns being a key driver. Hybrid working is particularly influential, as 28% of people still adopt this pattern, with 13% working solely from home (compared to 5% in 2019).
This has led to a 25% increase in eating while working and an 8% rise in grabbing fast snacks.
Many consumers, especially those working in the office one or two days a week are more inclined to purchase lunch out rather than bringing lunch from home.
Consumers who commute less are also spending up to 18% more per visit, showing a trend toward indulgence during fewer outings.
Sas Horscroft, Head of Marketing & Innovations Burts Snacks Ltd, comments: “Sandwiches account for 44% of on-the-go meals, and Burts crisps are the perfect pairing to go along side this selection. The brand’s premium quality and range of flavours make them an ideal accompaniment to a sandwich. With the growing trend of food-on-the-go, retailers should ensure they offer an affordable yet high-quality selection of snacks to meet this growing demand. By pairing Burts crisps with sandwiches, retailers can provide an elevated lunchtime experience for consumers, especially those seeking convenience flavourful options.”
There is a growing consumer demand for products that align with sustainability and ethical sourcing practices. Approximately 63% of global consumers now seek snacks that reduce environmental impact through practices like carbon offsets, local sourcing, and sustainable supply chain optimisation (The Food Institute).
This trend highlights the importance for brands to demonstrate their commitment to environmental responsibility. Burts is fully committed to sustainability and has taken several steps to align with this growing consumer expectation. The brand prioritises sustainable sourcing, working closely with local farmers and suppliers who share their dedication to ethical practices. It’s also made significant strides in reducing its environmental footprint, with efforts including sending zero waste to landfill, giving food waste to local livestock and recycling cooking oil into sustainable biodiesel.
Furthermore, consumers are more adventurous than ever, seeking new and exciting flavours to satisfy their evolving taste preferences,” adds Horscroft. “This trend presents a significant opportunity for brands like Burts, who are known for their bold and innovative flavours. As customers become increasingly open to unique combinations, Burts is well-positioned to continue pushing the boundaries with its creative flavour offerings, such as brand-new Herb Roasted Chicken and Mature Cheddar & Caramelised Onion Chutney Ridges. By experimenting with new ingredients and flavour profiles, Burts is tapping into this growing demand for variety, ensuring that its snacks not only stand out on the shelves but also provide a memorable experience for those looking to try something different.”
Consumers are becoming more interested in knowing exactly where their food products come from. This change reflects a broader trend towards transparency in food sourcing, as people are more invested in understanding the journey their food takes from farm to table. Over 60% of consumers are now more likely to support brands that demonstrate a commitment to ethical sourcing and transparency (Lumina).
Burts is committed to providing full transparency regarding the sourcing of its ingredients. The brand prioritises working with local suppliers who uphold ethical practices and is actively involved in initiatives that ensure the sustainability and traceability of its raw materials. All of Burts’ ingredients are traceable and farmed with care, earning the Red Tractor stamp of approval. The brand sources suppliers as locally as possible to reduce food miles and its carbon footprint. This includes working with potato growers within an 85-mile radius and partnering with ingredient suppliers in the Southwest, such as Quicke’s Cheese, South Devon Chilli Farm, and Eversfield Organic.
Burts is also dedicated to sharing the story behind its products, allowing consumers to make informed choices. By embracing these practices, Burts not only meets the demand for food provenance but also strengthens its relationship with consumers who value sustainability and ethical sourcing.
Burts’ new product launches, both available from March, include the Herb Roasted Chicken Hand Cooked Chips and Mature Cheddar & Caramelised Onion Chutney Ridges and are designed to excite and meet growing consumer demand for bold, unique flavours. These additions offer something new for snack lovers, helping retailers attract attention and boost sales. By continuously innovating, Burts ensures there’s always something fresh for customers to enjoy, keeping the brand top of mind and encouraging repeat purchases.
Herb Roasted Chicken is designed to meet the growing consumer demand for premium, savoury hand-cooked snacks. The product features real chicken sourced from Creedy Carver, Burts’ trusted Devon-based provenance partner, and is seasoned with a balanced blend of sage, parsley, rosemary, and thyme for an authentic taste.
The Mature Cheddar & Caramelised Onion Chutney Ridges serve as a more substantial snack. These crisps feature deep ridges that capture more flavour, with cheddar sourced from Devon-based Quicke’s Cheese as well as caramelised onion. Known for its thick cut and bold taste, Burts delivers a premium snacking experience with every bite.
Shaun Whelan, Link Snacks International (LSI) Convenience/ Wholesale and OOH Controller, comments: “Jack Link’s represents a high protein, high growth opportunity for wholesalers and retailers looking to unlock the potential of the ambient protein meat snacking category. By stocking Jack Link’s, convenience retailers can meet the growing demand for healthier, convenient snacks while benefiting from the strong consumer trust and consistent investment that Jack Link’s brings to the category.”
Healthier snacking and protein consumption have become mainstream, with nearly one in three UK households purchasing ready-to-eat meat snacks. Shoppers are increasingly seeking high protein, tasty meat snacks as healthier alternatives to traditional crisps and confectionery. Many view meat protein snacks as the best source of sustained energy throughout the day, positioning Jack Link’s as an excellent choice over traditional options like crisps.
The potential to boost sales in this category is significant. Over the past five years, the jerky and biltong meat category has nearly doubled in value and has the potential to double again, with fewer than one in ten households currently purchasing these products. High protein meat snacks represent a high growth opportunity that convenience retailers cannot afford to overlook.
Jack Link’s has led the charge in this growing category, more than tripling its retail sales value over the last five years. This growth underscores Jack Link’s position as a preferred alternative to traditional snacks like crisps and nuts. Its recent packaging redesign highlights the brand’s commitment to meeting consumer demands, with modern designs that emphasise quality, craftsmanship, and functional nutrition benefits.
“Jack Link’s offers a high protein, high growth, high profit opportunity for retailers. As the jerky and biltong meat snacks category gains popularity, more shoppers are gravitating toward healthier, convenient snacks. Convenience retailers who stock Jack Link’s can capitalise on this demand while meeting shopper expectations,” adds Whelan.
“To maximise sales, it is crucial to merchandise Jack Link’s alongside other bagged snacks, crisps, and nuts. Ambient protein meat snacks like Jack Link’s provide a healthier alternative for health-conscious shoppers seeking high protein, low calorie options that taste great. Dual merchandising – placing Jack Link’s both in the main fixture and on clip strips – helps ensure visibility and encourages incremental purchases.”
Protein snacks have become mainstream, with more shoppers turning to trusted brands for quality and reliability. Jack Link’s remains a category leader, continually investing in consumer awareness through partnerships, media campaigns, and sampling events. This commitment has solidified Jack Link’s as the UK’s must stock beef jerky brand for independent retailers.
Value for money remains a priority for shoppers, but they also prioritise trusted brands that deliver on taste, texture, quality, and price. Retailers who stock Jack Link’s can cater to these varied preferences while tapping into the growing demand for high protein, healthier snacks.
Jack Link’s stands out as the number one brand in convenience, consistently increasing consumer awareness and driving growth in the jerky and biltong category. By investing £1.5 million annually in media and promotional activities, Jack Link’s is ensuring continued category expansion. As a result, the jerky and biltong meat snacks category is now one of the fastest growing in grocery.
Peperami is bringing its protein-packed snacking expertise and iconic brand to the chicken category with the launch of its new £1 PMP Chicken Bites single packs.
With great margins for retailers and a trusted brand name, the new price-marked Peperami Chicken Bites are designed to tap into the fast-growing food-to-go market – offering shoppers a tasty, high-protein snack that is perfect for lunch or an on-the-go energy boost. Available in two flavours – Tikka and Roasted – each 50g pack contains just 95kcal, meeting consumer demand for healthier, protein-rich options.
The launch is backed by a £4m TV-led marketing campaign starting in May, introducing Peperami Chicken Bites through its iconic ‘Animal’ campaign to attract new shoppers and drive category growth. The chicken snacking market has grown by 21% over the past two years, with sales exceeding £165m in the last year, 84% of which were incremental (Source: Nielsen).
Peperami Chicken Bites give convenience retailers a great opportunity to capitalise on this momentum and take a bite of the expanding protein snacking market.
The new product is available for retailers to purchase from various wholesaler and cash & carries across the UK.
Whelan says: “By stocking Peperami effectively, convenience stores can position themselves as the go-to destination for busy parents seeking healthy and convenient kids snacks. It continues to be important for convenience retailers to demonstrate value across the store. One way to do this is to stock price marked packs (PMPs).
“PMPs offer shoppers price confidence and reassures them they are not being overcharged. This is important when shoppers are watching what they spend. PMPs make life easier for convenience retailers, reassuring them and their shoppers that they are charging the right price. PMP labels stand out on shelf and are a good way to draw the shopper’s eye to a particular product.
“PMPs offer shoppers price confidence, and it is good to have PMP available for budget-conscious shoppers. PMPs offer a point of difference for independent retailers. Many PMPs have been specifically designed to fit in with the shopper needs of the independent sector.”
Peperami PMPs are very effective at generating sales. New PMP £1.25 flashed 2 for £2 on Peperami sticks offer good value compared to standard sticks, driving value and return on sales.
Convenience retailers can use PMPs to bolster their margins and increase footfall as it shows how a store is offering shoppers good value.
“We ensure our Peperami PMP products are affordable for convenience retailers by supporting them with promotions and case sizes to keep the price points at the recommended retail prices,” Whelan continues. Louise Reynard, Customer Development Director, UK at St Pierre Groupe comments on behalf of the St Pierre brand: “For people who are working out of home or are on the move, food to go is part of their daily routine, and presents wholesalers and the retailers they serve with the opportunity to build food and drink sales across a range of categories, as well as secondary spend on other items. Large numbers of people still take packed lunches to work or school, but the food to go market has grown in convenience stores as consumers have got used to food to go and snacking offerings being a core part of these outlets’ propositions and shop them at all times of day.
“The way shoppers work has normalised in the last few years, leading to stabilised, regular shopper visits to convenience stores. People have settled back down to going to their workplaces full time or flexi working from home, with both presenting growing opportunities for retailers to sell food and hot drinks to go. Consumers have got used to convenience stores’ food to go and snacking offerings being a core part of these outlets’ propositions, and shop them at all times of day, which also generates secondary spending in other parts of the store. From our perspective, morning goods and sweet snacks from quality brands like St Pierre complement hot drinks perfectly as sweet treats at any time of day, merchandised alongside hot drinks machines, and are a great opportunity for retailers to increase basket spend.”
The cost-of-living crisis has made our desire for affordable treats even more pronounced. In the continuing difficult economic climate, shoppers are being careful with their cash, but when it comes to food to go shopping, high-end sandwiches, meal deals, and morning goods bought with a hot drink remain everyday affordable treats.
“Indulgence is a major factor in bakery purchases, and the category continues to benefit from consumers choosing premium options, as they look for ways to treat themselves well on the move and at home,” adds Reynard. “Hence in sweet bakery, the popularity of our individually wrapped food to go range and take-home multi-packs. In the wider bakery category, the move towards premiumisation shows no sign of slowing, and quality brands like St Pierre give consumers an opportunity to ‘trade up’ and elevate everyday meals.”
Continental bakery items have been in the top 3 fastest growing bakery categories since 2019. The home/hybrid working trend means on some days out of home meals are an important part of the working day for millions of us. The St Pierre range means consumers can enjoy an ‘upgraded’ menu with continental-style breakfasts, brunches and lunches. As such, the brand is growing in both value and volume in the ‘continental’ sector.
“Focusing on lunch and food to go, wholesalers should stock a wide range of bestselling morning goods and other sweet bakery items from premium brands like St Pierre,” advises Reynard. “Depending how their cash and carry depots are laid out, they should stock them in the dedicated bakery section, and if possible, dual site them in fresh food sections with other ‘eat now’ items. St Pierre’s food to go products are designed to help shoppers recreate the café culture wherever they are – at home, work or on-the-move in between, so can be merchandised on a bakery fixture, in a food-to-go area or alongside other sweet treats, like cakes.
“Wholesalers should also advise their retailers to look at where their store’s growth is coming from in food to go and dedicate additional product facings to recognised brands and strong sellers.
“Wholesalers’ development teams should encourage their retailer customers to take cues from foodservice and approach the hot drinks machine and the sweet bakery offering as a food to go destination, where shoppers can be sure of finding a great selection of these items. Retailers, forecourts, and other coffee shop competitors should think about how to engage this important audience and provide reasons for consumers to choose their outlet.”
Ross Davison, Head of Convenience at Kepak (Foods Division), home of Rustlers, comments: “With many food to go consumers looking for tasty alternatives to traditional sandwiches, market-leading Rustlers, the leading chilled ready meal brand with annual sales of more than £118m (Nielsen), provides the hot food to go option that many of them are looking for.”
The opportunity is boosted by the fact that the vast majority of food to go shoppers have access to a microwave, either at home or work, with ‘quick and easy’ and ‘treat’ ranking highly in purchasing decisions for shoppers who buy food to go products.
The rising cost of living has also increased the number of food to go shoppers looking for products which they regard as ‘not too expensive’ (MealTrak), highlighting the appeal of Rustlers core products which are all available as price-marked packs.
Rustlers are also fuelling growth in the food to go market with its market innovative Cook in Box range, featuring patented technology which is driving demand for Rustlers beyond chilled ready meals into the food to go sector.
Pre-programmed to cook Rustlers’ best-selling SKUs in store, Rustlers-branded food to go units featuring microwaves are enabling c-stores to meet growing consumer demand for hot snacks on the move. The microwaves can also be used to cook other products in store, providing a cross-category, self-serve, hot food to go solution.
The most common items purchased with The All Day Breakfast Sausage Muffin in convenience are lunch products from across the Rustlers’ range, including the best-selling Quarter Pounder, the Cheeseburger, along with chilled snacks and energy drinks. The peak time for sales is on Fridays between 8am and 12 noon.
Rustlers is also highlighting the opportunity for convenience retailers to meet the rising demand for quick, convenient meal solutions among young adults.
With only 54% of 19 to 22-year-olds claiming to have learnt about cooking at school (IGD), retailers are being urged to use social media to promote their food to go offering among so-called Gen Z shoppers. This is the place where they expect to hear from the brands they love, with two thirds (67%) claiming to ‘often hear about food or drink on social media’ while 63% claim to ‘often talk about food or drink with their friends’ (IGD).
This generation views food as fuel, making protein and energy-packed food to go critical to this age group. Gen Z are more likely to view food as functional. Fifty per cent of shoppers strongly agree that food is important to them because they need it for energy, while only 38% agree food is important to them for other reasons (IGD).
One of the myths that is often perpetuated is that younger shoppers are healthier than older consumers. However recent findings have discovered the truth is more nuanced than that. Forty-four per cent of Gen Z shoppers say they ‘eat reasonably healthily but regularly have less healthy treats’ (vs 43% in all adults) and 34% say they ‘eat healthy foods and drinks most of the time but will have less healthy treats now and again’ (vs 39% of all adults). Less than two thirds believe that in 5-10 years they will be following a healthy diet’ (IGD).
Nic Storey, Senior Sales Director, Impulse & Field Sales at PepsiCo, comments: “There’s no denying that Brits are firmly on the move again and when they are, they are looking for snacks to enjoy. Out of home snacking makes up 19% (+5pp) share of all snacking occasions (Bolt), presenting a significant opportunity for wholesalers to capitalise on lunchtime and on-the-go occasions as retailers look to encourage spend in their stores.
“Meal deals present a significant sales opportunity for retailers as they offer both convenience and value to their customers. As a result, wholesalers should ensure they are encouraging sales from retailers who are looking to capture shopper attention and increase basket spend, through catering to all tastes within these missions. This includes maintaining an extensive savoury snack offering that is varied in flavour and format.”
There is a huge opportunity for wholesalers to grow their savoury snacking sales by ensuring their offering appeals to retailers looking to cater to lunch and on the go missions. The total Salty Snacks category in independent and symbol stores is now worth £631.6m and growing at +18.0% (NielsenIQ). This highlights how snacking remains a huge part of day-to-day UK life, with a portion of these snacks enjoyed on the go or through lunch.
“Wholesalers should ensure they are maintaining an offering that consists of popular brands and flavours in formats suited to lunch and on the go,” adds Storey. “This should be alongside offering the latest NPD in bold and exciting flavours, due to enjoyment being the number one driver of choice when buying crisps and snacks (Kantar).
To cater to this demand, PepsiCo has launched a number of taste-led NPD over the last year, including Walkers and Heinz limited-edition range. Walkers Sausage Sarnie with Heinz Tomato Ketchup, Cheese Toastie with Heinz Baked Beanz and Roast Chicken with Heinz Mayonnaise flavours hit shelves within the convenience channel to spruce up retailers’ snacking aisles, get shoppers talking and boost lunchtime sales.
Walkers Smokin’ BBQ Sauce joined the Walkers’ core line-up last August, helping retailers meet shopper preferences for their favourite flavours, whilst encouraging them to trade up with Britain’s most loved crisp brand.
Following the successful launch of PepsiCo’s Extra Flamin’ Hot range last year, this January, PepsiCo launched a limited-edition variant on the iconic Walkers crisp. Available for eight weeks only, the latest non-HFSS innovation helped to drive additional snacking sales for retailers by introducing more shoppers to Extra Flamin’ Hot.
“Wholesalers can utilise PMPs to capitalise on the lunch and food to go missions,” suggests Storey. “This is because the format reassures consumers of value and helps independent retailers to offer an accessible price point that builds trust with their shoppers. This has led to an increased demand for the format among independent retailers, presenting an opportunity for wholesalers to tap into this trend to boost their Savoury Snacking sales. Alongside this, the format is ideal for lunch and food to go missions through being cheaper and perfectly sized for these occasions.”
As a result, PepsiCo has continued to invest in the PMP format through NPD and line extensions across the nation’s most loved crisp brands. This has led to the top 15 Sharing PMP Snack SKUs within the Independent and Symbols including Doritos, Quavers, Wotsits and Monster Munch, which demonstrates just how important these SKUs are for retailers (NielsenIQ).
Stuart Graham, Head of Convenience and Impulse, KP Snacks comments: “Food to Go remains an important mission and scalable channel, serving a transient population and on the go society. The Food to Go market is rebounding with a return to pre-pandemic routines boosting footfall.
“We are confident about the future of the category, having already seen significant recovery in the sector, and our portfolio is well-placed to capitalise on and drive singles recovery. At KP Snacks, we are continuing to excite and interrupt with flavoursome innovation, having the right brands in the right formats, meeting changing shopper missions as needs adapt, and building brand equity by doing the right thing. This means that we are focused on acting in a more socially responsible way in every part of the business, whether it be through packaging reductions, healthier products, and promoting healthier lifestyles.”
Weekday lunchtimes are the most popular time for eating on the go, with 62% of consumers saying they enjoy picking meal deal combos (Mintel).
53% of shoppers look for meal deals when buying food to go (IGD) and 34% of shoppers say they would pay more than £5 for meal deals if the products were high quality (Harris Interactive). Many office workers have not gone back to the office full time. Hybrid workers may view food-to-go as more of a treat if purchasing less frequently and will likely be willing to spend more, meaning there is opportunity to create premium lunch deals catered to part-time office workers.
KP Snacks’ portfolio delivers the top three selling meal deal SKUs. Hula Hoops Big Hoops BBQ Beef is the top selling PMP in the convenience channel, worth £12.2m, and takes the No.1 spot for best-selling Meal Deal choice (Nielsen IQ). The Hula Hoops brand is worth £215.4m and growing at +14.5% (Nielsen IQ). McCoy’s Salt & Vinegar and Flame Grilled Steak are the No.2 and No.3 best-selling meal deal choices, perfect for livening up lunch.
Meanwhile Tyrrells is perfect for customers seeking a more premium snack – this award-winning hand cooked English crisp brand, has 91 Great Taste awards, more than any other crisp brand on the market. Fundamentally taste is the number one purchase driver and all of KP Snacks brands across the portfolio offer big and bold flavours.
“As recessionary conditions prevail, operators need to stock trusted and familiar brands and offer the right product and price mix to deliver and demonstrate great value,” adds Graham.
“PMPs have seen significant growth in the last number of years, with the format expected to continue increasing in both relevance and popularity. We’ve seen a recent increase in grab bag and large PMP sales as people are tempted by the bigger packs. Not only do PMPs offer consumers great value for money, the clear pricing also gives them assurance that they are not being over charged. PMPs are a hugely versatile format that caters for multiple missions and occasions, whether that be hunger fill or sharing. 70% of shoppers purchase items on impulse and PMPs drive these sales through clear messaging and displays (Lumina).
Worth £324m, the KP Snacks portfolio of large format PMPs is extensive, designed to excite shoppers and drive impulse purchases Nielsen IQ). KP Snacks also offers a range of delicious snacks in smaller PMP formats.
Fabien Levet, Commercial Manager at Pidy UK, comments: “With the workforce returning to the office, many consumers find their time taken up by commuting, without the option of preparing a substantial breakfast or lunch at their workplace. Instead, customers are looking for grab-and-go options. Operators should prioritise meals that can be enjoyed on the move without the hindrance of cutlery for ultimate convenience. Sandwiches naturally spring to mind, however menus can be elevated with innovative products, such as Pidy’s Kon.”
This cone shaped bread is suitable to enjoy hot or cold, with its’ neutral taste making it compatible with sweet or savoury fillings. Load with traditional sandwich fillers, brunch flavours like smashed avocado and smoked salmon, or even liquid options such as soup or curry. The Kon’s moisture resistance guarantees quality is maintained, so operators won’t have to worry about the contents leaking.
“The food to go sector is susceptible to industry-wide trends, including an increasing demand for health-conscious dining. As we approach the warmer summer months, this will be amplified, with customers seeking light, nutritious lunches that are also tasty and enjoyable,” adds Levet.
“Caterers can close this gap by giving traditional favourites a health makeover. For example, instead of pizza, caterers could take inspiration from Pidy’s Quiche Margarita recipe. Simply spread some mozzarella on a Pidy ready-to-fill quiche base, then pour over beaten eggs and cream. Sprinkle cherry tomatoes coated in olive oil, oregano, and salt, then top with more mozzarella. Bake for 20 minutes at 170oC, then a further 15 minutes at 150oC. Garnish with fresh basil leaves et voila! This delicious alternative can be served hot or cold with seasonal veg or a fresh side salad in a to-go box. Chefs can choose from mini quiches 7cm in diameter – perfect for smaller appetites – or larger quiches up to 22cm in diameter which can conveniently be sliced to save time.”
Jason Geary, Master Baker at Jason’s Sourdough, comments: “In October last year we launched an exciting range of premium toasties and hot rolls in partnership with Around Noon, designed to showcase our innovation into the food-to-go sector. What sets us apart is the combination of our signature sourdough bread and rolls with carefully curated, high-quality fillings.
“A common issue with standard pre-made toasties is that they tend to lose their satisfying crunch. To ensure this didn’t happen to us, we worked closely with Around Noon to develop the right packaging which, combined with our unique Jason’s Sourdough Ciabattin, ensures the product can be heated and served whilst maintaining a crisp exterior and soft interior. Designed for foodservice combi-ovens, and in-store bakeries, the toasties and rolls can be heated in their packaging and displayed in the hot hold cabinets without compromising on quality making them the perfect meal for the busy food-to-go environment.”
The demand for high-end sandwiches and premium meal deals has grown in recent years. Consumers are increasingly seeking improved versions of traditional sandwich options, that offer a higher quality experience. Whilst the appetite for premium sandwiches continues to rise, today’s economic climate means many still expect their meal deals to remain accessible at an everyday price point.
Whilst consumers are certainly value-conscious, there is a willingness to invest more for genuine quality. Rather than a quick hit, today’s consumers are looking for a taste experience, gravitating toward superior ingredients even whilst on-the-go.
“When people can trust in the quality of the product, they are willing to spend a little extra,” adds Geary. “Our range of toasties and hot rolls are the perfect balance of premium ingredients and affordability, delivering a great product without asking consumers to compromise on quality or taste. Made with our signature sourdough – proper bread crafted from just four simple ingredients: flour, water, salt, and fermented wheat flour – our products offer a depth of flavour and texture without any additives, preservatives, emulsifiers or sugars.”
Colin Taylor, Trade Marketing Director at Fox’s Burton’s Companies (FBC) UK, comments: “At FBC UK a key focus of ours is working with retail partners to optimise their food-to-go biscuit solutions in-store, to help them make the most of the opportunity. This is especially important given there is headroom for growth in the food-to-go category.”
FBC’s portfolio is well placed to strengthen the development of the food-to-go occasion after years of supplying quality, single portion biscuits like Fox’s Fabulous Cookies, Jammie Dodgers Giant and Fox’s Fabulous Chocolatey Rounds, to foodservice outlets and retailers to bolster the growth of the on-the-go segment.
“Taste and overall enjoyment continue to be major purchase drivers in food-to-go. Taste brings consumers back to the biscuit category as well as our popular brands, with consumers gravitating to products they know, love and trust. Recognised brands and products like Maryland Minis Choc Chip, Fox’s Rocky and Wagon Wheels, are often purchased as multipacks to be portioned throughout the week to suit on-the-go consumption too. Therefore, retailers should consider stocking both formats to suit different shopper needs and missions,” adds Taylor.
“Convenience remains key for consumers which is particularly true of those on-the-go, with many looking for quick, easy, and tasty treats. Year after year, we continue to see incremental growth within our individually wrapped formats, particularly in our mini biscuits and chocolate biscuit bars as these are an ideal option when on-the-go. Our minis range, Rocky bars and Wagon Wheels are all available in multipacks, allowing consumers to also purchase ahead of time and split out individually throughout the week.”
Mark Chance, Commercial Director at Gosh! Food, comments: “Health remains high on the agenda for many shoppers and one of the biggest concerns is sugar intake. Brands have responded to this by launching sugar-free or reduced-sugar alternatives into their portfolios. We will be taking an in-depth look at how the trend is evolving and what retailers can do to effectively merchandise no and low-sugar products. We will also be looking at the burgeoning protein-added category. From drinks and snacks to confectionery and food-to-go, protein is increasingly becoming a feature. We will look at how this sector is shaping up and which brands to look out for.”
The UK food to go market is expected to grow +3.5% in 2025, outperforming the pre-pandemic value by +9.3% (Lumina), which is a result of people being busier due to the continued return to pre-pandemic habits, including tourism and the return to work. With less time to cook, people are reaching for food-to-go options whilst on the move.
Nine in ten British workers have now been called back to the office, returning to pre-pandemic working routines, one of the most notable effects of workforce reintegration is the rise of on-the-go eating habit (Food Business News), now worth £23B in 2024 (+3.5%, Lumina) and forecasted to continue growing in 2025. During the pandemic, the majority of consumers were preparing meals at home and had more time to cook, which reduced the need for quick and convenient foods. However, with more people going back to the office either part time or full time and spending more time commuting or getting a quick lunch out, the demand for nutritious meals to go has grown. The Gosh! range of falafels and veg bites are perfect for wholesalers looking to create convenient meals that are easy to enjoy on the go, as they can be enjoyed cold and added to salads or wraps as they are.
Ben Parker, VP Sales – Off Trade, Carlsberg Britvic, comments: “The on-the-go market grew by 17.4% from 2019 to 2024 (Lumina). What’s more, soft drinks is the number one category bought on a food-to-go mission (Lumina), with instant consumption formats growing at a faster rate than deferred formats in 2023, having surged by 17.2% to £2.5bn and a 4% increase in units (Circana).”
“Recent research reflects this, with 57% of people who purchased soft drinks stating it was the main reason they went to the store (Lumina), and 34% saying they would go without or elsewhere if they’re not happy with the to-go drinks available (IGD).
Alongside this, the soft drinks category has continued to see growth over the last few years, and is now worth a total of £4.2bn in the convenience and impulse channel (Nielsen IQ). Additionally, out of all categories in this channel, soft drinks is the biggest contributor to generating store footfall and sales (Lumina) – being purchased in over a quarter of visits to UK convenience stores in 2023 and appearing in more than twice as many baskets than alcohol (Lumina).
“Therefore, it is essential for wholesalers to maintain a soft drink offering that is varied in flavour and on-the-go formats, such as 330ml cans and 500ml bottles. This should include household brands, such as Tango, Pepsi MAX® and Lipton Iced Tea, which have contributed to the 4.7% growth in the Britvic on-the-go drinks portfolio over the last year (NielsenIQ),” adds Parker.
“Wholesalers can meet these needs and demands by stocking popular brands in a variety of price-marked formats, both catering to the food-to-go occasion and signposting value.
“Within this, energy drinks are highly sought out by customers and are often an impulse, on the go purchase (IRI). Wholesalers can tap into consumer demands by stocking up on popular choices like Rockstar Energy®. Available in flavours including Watermelon & Kiwi No Sugar and No Sugar Blueberry, the £1.29 or 2 for £2 PMP cans not only provide an extensive range of flavours for shoppers to choose from but also offer great value.”
Tim Hobbs, Foodservice Director at Freemans Event Partners, comments: “The food-to-go sector in the UK is now valued at approximately £21 billion annually, with consumer spending on out-of-home meals reaching over £48.2 billion in the 52 weeks ending June 2024—a 14% increase year-on-year (AHDB). This growth underscores the rising demand for quick, convenient, and high-quality food options. At Freemans Event Partners, we’ve witnessed this shift first-hand in the dynamic environment of sporting events, where fans expect speedy yet satisfying meals without missing out on the action.”
The UK food-to-go market is experiencing significant expansion. Within this market, £8.3 billion was spent in 2024 alone, marking a 26% rise compared to the previous year. Spectators are increasingly opting for meals that offer both convenience and quality, and Freemans Event Partners is at the forefront of this trend. Its innovative food solutions are tailored to meet the needs of diverse audiences attending high-profile events such as Six Nations rugby matches at Twickenham and Taylor Swift concerts at Murrayfield.
At Lord’s Cricket Ground, for example, Freemans launched a revolutionary two-tier Food Village in May 2024. This new space, equipped with self-checkout kiosks and an array of food offerings, has drastically reduced queue times, allowing spectators to enjoy more of the event. This streamlined approach caters to a wide range of tastes, with menus shifting depending on the event.
The rise of health-consciousness is another key driver of the food-to-go market. As consumers become more aware of the benefits of a balanced diet, healthier options are in high demand. In response, Freemans Event Partners has diversified its menu, offering everything from fresh salads to plant-based meals at major events. These options are now as popular as traditional favourites, like fish and chips, providing event attendees with more nutritious alternatives while still maintaining the high-quality food experience they expect.
“As awareness about food sourcing grows, consumers are placing greater emphasis on the provenance of their meals,” adds Hobbs. “They want to know not just what they’re eating, but where it comes from. At Freemans Event Partners, we’ve embraced this trend by ensuring transparency in our supply chain. For instance, our traditional Cornish pasty, made with 100% British beef and Cornish potatoes, has become a top seller. We also work with McCains whose products are all made from 100% British potatoes. This commitment to locally and British sourced, high-quality ingredients resonates with customers who value authenticity and sustainability.”
Celebration Packaging Managing Director Nick Burton, comments: “A move to sustainable foodservice packaging is a clear trend, driven by single use plastic bans and the plastic packaging tax, plus increasing consumer awareness of environmental sustainability issues.
“Consumers expect foodservice operators to operate responsibly, ethically and sustainably. As more and more people understand the benefits of using recyclable and compostable packaging made from sustainable resources or made from recycled material, the pressure is on operators to choose the most appropriate packaging.”
The other ongoing challenge is profitability. Choosing the right packaging can save a lot of time, and that in turn saves money. The best foodservice packaging solutions are stackable, nestable and functional for food preparation back of house, while also being leak-proof and easy for customers to use.
Reducing single-use plastic and improving food preparation also puts reusables in the spotlight. Celebration Packaging offers a range of reusable, microwavable hinged-lid food containers for back of house / kitchen food prep applications, which are made from virgin polypropylene (PP) and can be sent for recycling.
According to a recent report by IGD, the UK food-to-go market is anticipated to see positive market growth over the next few years and by 2028 is expected to increase in value by almost 40% on 2019 levels.
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