Coffee shops in the UK should stock up on vegan options to keep up with consumer’s food and drink preferences
Whatever numbers you look at, it’s clear that the number of vegans and vegetarians are on the rise. A study by The Vegan Society back in 2016 found that there were over half a million vegans in the UK, which was more than three times the number of vegans in 2006.
A new survey by comparethemarket.com blows those stats out of the water. More than 3.5 million people in the UK are now identifying as vegan. That means that approximately 7% of Brits are shunning animal products altogether and veganism is showing no signs of slowing down. Sales of meat-free foods are expected to increase to £658m by 2021. Part-time veganism is also becoming more and more popular with this year’s Veganuary seeing a 183% rise in signups.
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There are many reasons behind the rise of veganism, but the main reason is our health. Research by Mintel showed that almost half of those interested in cutting down on their meat consumption were doing it for their health. Other big motivators were weight management, animal welfare and environmental concerns. Social media has also brought veganism to the forefront of people’s minds with celebrities such as Ellie Goulding and Ariana Grande advocating for plant-based diets.
Sure, regular old black coffee is vegan but your lattes and cappuccinos are not but there are plenty of milk alternatives available for which customers will pay a premium. It could be the best change you make!
