New Waitrose report reveals top food, drink and shopping trends
Waitrose & Partners’ new Food & Drink Report on the latest food, drink and shopping trends has revealed how mindfulness of our wellbeing and environment are having a big influence on the way people shop and eat today.
The sixth annual report, which is based on new OnePoll consumer research of people across the UK, found that a third of the population now have meat-free or meat-reduced diets. This included one in eight UK consumers who said they now identify a vegan or vegetarian, although half of those admitted to eating meat ‘at weekends’, ‘occasionally’ or ‘on special occasions’. In addition, a further 21% identified themselves as flexitarian.
The report also uncovered a trend towards avoiding a ‘food hangover’ as a way of coping with the increasing pressures of modern-day life with many people moving towards lighter, healthier food in the evening and staying hydrated throughout the day. However, the traditional Sunday roast was found to still top the menu at weekends.
In addition, the report found that people were more mindful regarding the use of plastic, with 60% saying they chose a refillable water bottle and coffee cup more these days.
Waitrose & Partners managing director Rob Collins said: “Being mindful of how we live and eat has become a priority in today’s world. As we become increasingly mindful of our own health, the wellbeing of our family and that of the planet, we’re reshaping how we shop, cook and eat. Welcome to the era of the mindful consumer.”
The report shows that products finding favour in 2018 included aquafaba, the water from tins of chickpeas, which made its way in to everything from meringues to cocktails as an alternative to egg white. In addition, sales of apple cider vinegar have been climbing as people started drinking the product as well as using it as an ingredient. Greek and organic wines were also shown to be growing in popularity as was mezcal, the ‘parent spirit’ to tequila.
