Quick Insights: how UK consumers will spend in 2026 (Vypr)

-

Today we are diving into shopper confidence for the year ahead. Retail Week’s How They Will Spend It report, supported by Vypr insight, reveals how people are adjusting their spending and what they plan to protect. 

Here are the shifts standing out: 

  • 79% of households say their monthly spend has increased over the past year
  • Cost of living concerns remain high, especially among younger adults
  • Essentials and small comforts are the most protected categories
  • Clothing, eating out, gifting and premium goods are the first areas people plan to cut back
  • Clear pricing, simple returns and flexible shopping options now matter more than ever
  • Many shoppers are planning more often while buying less frequently
  • Return fees continue to be a major deterrent for online purchases
  • Younger consumers are the most open to using AI to plan their Christmas 2025 spend 
These behaviours show shoppers looking for confidence, clarity and control as they head into 2025

Popular posts from this blog

Top 10 bakery trends to follow in 2025

-
Image
Are you looking for new ideas to attract more customers in 2025? Following up on our " top 7 bakery trends in 2024 ", and keeping in mind that several trends are still very much active (such as bakery as an art form, croissant 2.0, XL viennoiseries, or travel with food), we have been studying and monitoring hot topics that will drive the industry this year. And we are very happy to share with you the exciting  10 bakery trends  that will have an impact on the sector and help you spice up your offer and stay ahead of your customers' expectations by following them. What are the new trends in bakery (viennoiserie, pastry, bread, food...)? The world of baking is evolving in 2025, striking a balance between tradition and modernity to offer ever more indulgent and innovative creations. As consumer preferences oscillate between  authentic flavors  and  bold new experiences , the industry continues to explore new possibilities. From the ongoing rise of sourdough to inve...
Read more

Snacks to the Future: Health and On-The-Go are Key Trends in Ireland

-
Image
Thomas Gavin, Global Graduate, Markets, Bord Bia - The Irish Food Board It feels to many of us that our lives are getting busier and busier, leaving us time-poor and trying to claw back minutes anywhere that we can. This is particularly true for our eating habits, with the traditional ‘three-meals-a-day’ routine evolving to people ‘grazing’ whenever they are hungry and can find the time. Consumers Are Snacking Often and On-The-Go According to a recent Mintel report on Consumer Snacking Habits in Ireland, 58% of Irish consumers are snacking twice or three times a day, with only 16% saying that they do not snack on a daily basis (Mintel, 2019).    A third of Irish consumers note that they often skip breakfast, with a further third highlighting that working through lunch is a common occurrence (Mintel, 2019). It is no surprise, then, that 31% of Irish people snack when they are commuting or travelling, with another 23% snacking whilst ou...
Read more

Inside Lidl’s strategy for in-store bakery (and how suppliers can help)

-
Image
Lidl is making a major play for in-store bakery and it’s not afraid to shout about it. The discounter – which is currently the sixth largest grocer in the UK by market share [Statista] – recently overtook Tesco to secure the biggest slice of in-store bakery (ISB). Data from Kantar showed that Lidl, which was crowned  Bakery Retailer of the Year  at the 2023 Baking Industry Awards, had pipped the UK’s largest supermarket  with 18.2% of the ISB market compared to Tesco’s 18%. Speaking at the British Society of Baking conference earlier this year, Holly Bleach, head of buying at Lidl, described bakery as “critical” to Lidl as it’s one of the categories that drives overall customer satisfaction. “We’re set up to be really successful in bakery in the UK due to the prominence of our bakeries in store. More often than not, they’re right by the front door so every customer that walks in has to pass the bakery and not many can resist stopping and obviously picking up an item,” she...
Read more