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Wellness Drives UK Soft Drinks |
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Friday, 06 July 2007 |
The trend toward health, nature and well-being were reflected this year in the UK soft drinks industry growth. All Consumers, including kids, have began to migrate toward no sugar and no added sugar drinks. The 2007 UK Soft Drinks Report saw soft drinks increase 3.6 percent in volume and an emphasis from the industry being placed on low calorie carbonates, juice drinks to go, and water.
Carbonates continued to hold the leading share, accounting for 41.8 percent of total 2006 consumption. At 23.4 percent, dilutables in ready to drink form were the second largest beverage consumed. Zenith International research and development director Gary Roethenbaugh says dilute-to-taste drinks were largely driven this year by aggressive promotion. "They fare well in the summer sun. They offer a low cost, easy to carry and reliable standby for kitchen shelves." Water was at 15.9 percent, followed by fruit juice and nectars at 11.1 percent and still drinks at 7.9 percent.
The Birtish Soft Drinks Association and Zenith International saw superfruits like acai, mangosteen and pomegranate become particularly popular this year in soft drinks. Roethenbaugh explains this is because consumers increasingly have become aware of superfruits for their natural antioxidant boost and health properties.
"Healthier living and positive lifestyle changes are providing a foundation for future soft drinks growth, " says Roethenbaugh. Zenith International expects an increased shift toward low- calorie and no-added-sugar soft drinks in the future. As this year marks the UK's smoking ban in public places, more healthful soft drinks are expected to increase on-premise as a companion to food. |
