UK Snack Bar Market Size
Study Period | 2018 - 2030 | |
Market Size (2024) | USD 1.55 Billion | |
Market Size (2030) | USD 2.42 Billion | |
Largest Share by Distribution Channel | Supermarket/Hypermarket | |
CAGR (2024 - 2030) | 7.70 % | |
Fastest Growing by Distribution Channel | Online Retail Store | |
Major Players |
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*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order |
UK Snack Bar Market Analysis
The UK Snack Bar Market size is estimated at 1.55 billion USD in 2024, and is expected to reach 2.42 billion USD by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 7.70% during the forecast period (2024-2030).
1.55 Billion
Market Size in 2024 (USD)
2.42 Billion
Market Size in 2030 (USD)
5.30 %
CAGR (2018-2023)
7.70 %
CAGR (2024-2030)
Largest Segment by Confectionery Variant
41.40 %
value share, Cereal Bar, 2023
Bars with Pro-health ingredients are considered the healthiest, making sales for products like cereal bars grow attributed to their high suitability for various consumers.
Largest Segment by Distribution Channel
53.69 %
value share, Supermarket/Hypermarket, 2023
Availability of a wide range of products with several brand options in sugar confectionery and ease of free checkout and delivery options are aiding the supermarket segment.
Fastest-growing Segment by Confectionery variant
8.15 %
Projected CAGR, Cereal Bar, 2024-2030
Sedentary lifestyles and the hectic work schedules of Britans are leading them to look for healthier alternatives, increasing market shares for products such as protein bars.
Fastest-growing Segment by Distribution Channel
8.43 %
Projected CAGR, Online Retail Store, 2024-2030
Online channels remove the need for expensive retail premises and customer-facing staff, allow for investment in better marketing and customer experience may drive the growth.
Leading Market Player
9.96 %
market share, General Mills Inc., 2022
General Mills Inc. has gained competitive edge due to its extensive product portfolio, wider brand presence, and strategic moves toward innovation in flavors and ingredients.
Supermarket/hypermarket accounted for a major share due to strong penetration across the country coupled with discounts offered on the snack bars
- Supermarkets/hypermarkets are the largest channels in the UK snack bar market. The channel held the major share of 53% by value in the overall distribution channels segment. These channels provide a super-sized shopping experience with suitable displays and assortments of indulgent snacking products. The proximity factor of these channels, especially in bigger cities and metropolitan areas, gives them an added advantage of influencing the snacking habits of consumers. Some of the popular stores operating across the country are Tesco PLC, J Sainsbury PLC, Asda Stores Ltd, Wm Morrison Supermarkets PLC, Lidl, and Aldi. In 2022, Tesco and Asda had 3,456 stores and 497 Morrisons stores in the United Kingdom.
- Convenience stores are the second most widely preferred distribution channels after supermarkets and hypermarkets for the purchase of snack bars. The volume sales of snack bars through convenience stores is estimated to register a 35.56% volume share in 2024. Consumer preference toward convenience stores is due to ease of access and being open for longer hours compared to traditional stores. In 2022, there were 48,590 convenience stores located across the United Kingdom.
- The online retail channel is considered the fastest-growing segment across the country. Snack bar sales are anticipated to grow through these channels at a rate of 6.58% from 2023 to 2024 in value terms due to consumers' preference for buying on the internet, especially the goods they are familiar with, such as confectionaries, in terms of the manufacturer’s name, brand positioning, image, and packaging design.
UK Snack Bar Market Trends
The introduction of healthy variants like clean label, natural, and organic snack bar products across the country resulted in higher sales
- Adults' average mealtimes are getting shorter, especially among consumers in the working class, and there is an increasing desire for alternatives for portion control. Snack bars have grown in popularity as acceptable alternatives to breakfast foods.
- The demand for fair trade snack bars and other clean labeling is expected to be the key trends that influence the consumer's purchase and continue to influence the market forward over the years. In 2023, 77% of people in the UK will choose Fairtrade products, including snack bars, demonstrating continued consumer commitment to products that are ethically and sustainably produced.
- Price is a significant factor in consumer buying behavior for snack bars in the United Kingdom. The trend of premium snack bars is expected to drive market growth and consumer recognition in this country.
- Consumers in the United Kingdom consume many kinds of snack bars with different health benefits. For instance, bars that are high in protein (20 grams or more) are aimed to be eaten after intense exercise, so they are perfect for active types.
OTHER KEY INDUSTRY TRENDS COVERED IN THE REPORT
- Strong demand for a blend of ingredients, such as fruit, whole nuts, and rolled oats in snack bars can be witnessed in the market
UK Snack Bar Industry Overview
The UK Snack Bar Market is fragmented, with the top five companies occupying 26.87%. The major players in this market are Ferrero International SA, General Mills Inc., Kellogg Company, Lotus Bakeries and Mondelēz International Inc. (sorted alphabetically).
UK Snack Bar Market Leaders
Ferrero International SA
General Mills Inc.
Kellogg Company
Lotus Bakeries
Mondelēz International Inc.
Other important companies include Abbott Laboratories, Associated British Foods plc, August Storck KG, Mars Incorporated, PepsiCo Inc., Post Holdings Inc., Simply Good Foods Co., The Hershey Company, Wholebake Limited, Yıldız Holding AS.
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in alphabetical order.
UK Snack Bar Market News
- May 2023: Nature Valley added a new level of flavor with the first savory snack option in Nature Valley's savory nut crunch bars.
- November 2022: Mars Incorporated repackages snack bars in plastic acquired through advanced recycling. In a ‘closed loop’ collaboration with SABIC, Landbell, Plastic Energy, Taghleef, and SIT, the new wrapper is made from mono-material propylene, which is thought to make it fully recyclable and negate the need for multi-material layers or laminated plastics.
- May 2022: Mars launched nut bars and chocolate bars under its brands Mars and Snickers. It’s the first major confectionery business to launch HFSS-compliant products ahead of the new junk food rules.
Free with this Report
We provide a comprehensive and exhaustive set of data pointers for global, regional, and country-level metrics that illustrate the fundamentals of the confectionery industry. With the help of 45+ free charts, clients can access in-depth market analysis based on price trend analysis of confectionery ingredients and per capita consumption of confections, through granular-level segmental information supported by a repository of market data, trends, and expert analysis. Data and analysis on confections, confectionery variants, sugar content, insights into consumer preferences and purchasing patterns, an overview of key market players, etc., are available in the form of comprehensive reports as well as excel-based data worksheets.
UK Snack Bar Market Report - Table of Contents
1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY & KEY FINDINGS
2. REPORT OFFERS
3. INTRODUCTION
- 3.1 Study Assumptions & Market Definition
- 3.2 Scope of the Study
- 3.3 Research Methodology
4. KEY INDUSTRY TRENDS
- 4.1 Regulatory Framework
- 4.2 Consumer Buying Behavior
- 4.3 Ingredient Analysis
- 4.4 Value Chain & Distribution Channel Analysis
5. MARKET SEGMENTATION (includes market size in Value in USD and Volume, Forecasts up to 2030 and analysis of growth prospects)
-
5.1 Confectionery Variant
- 5.1.1 Cereal Bar
- 5.1.2 Fruit & Nut Bar
- 5.1.3 Protein Bar
-
5.2 Distribution Channel
- 5.2.1 Convenience Store
- 5.2.2 Online Retail Store
- 5.2.3 Supermarket/Hypermarket
- 5.2.4 Others
6. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
- 6.1 Key Strategic Moves
- 6.2 Market Share Analysis
- 6.3 Company Landscape
-
6.4 Company Profiles
- 6.4.1 Abbott Laboratories
- 6.4.2 Associated British Foods plc
- 6.4.3 August Storck KG
- 6.4.4 Ferrero International SA
- 6.4.5 General Mills Inc.
- 6.4.6 Kellogg Company
- 6.4.7 Lotus Bakeries
- 6.4.8 Mars Incorporated
- 6.4.9 Mondelēz International Inc.
- 6.4.10 PepsiCo Inc.
- 6.4.11 Post Holdings Inc.
- 6.4.12 Simply Good Foods Co.
- 6.4.13 The Hershey Company
- 6.4.14 Wholebake Limited
- 6.4.15 Yıldız Holding AS
- *List Not Exhaustive
7. KEY STRATEGIC QUESTIONS FOR CONFECTIONERY CEOS
8. APPENDIX
-
8.1 Global Overview
- 8.1.1 Overview
- 8.1.2 Porter’s Five Forces Framework
- 8.1.3 Global Value Chain Analysis
- 8.1.4 Market Dynamics (DROs)
- 8.2 Sources & References
- 8.3 List of Tables & Figures
- 8.4 Primary Insights
- 8.5 Data Pack
- 8.6 Glossary of Terms
List of Tables & Figures
- Figure 1:
- VOLUME OF CONFECTIONERY MARKET, METRIC TONNES, UNITED KINGDOM, 2018 - 2030
- Figure 2:
- VALUE OF CONFECTIONERY MARKET, USD, UNITED KINGDOM, 2018 - 2030
- Figure 3:
- VOLUME OF SNACK BAR MARKET BY CONFECTIONERY VARIANT, METRIC TONNES, UNITED KINGDOM, 2018 - 2030
- Figure 4:
- VALUE OF SNACK BAR MARKET BY CONFECTIONERY VARIANT, USD, UNITED KINGDOM, 2018 - 2030
- Figure 5:
- VOLUME SHARE OF SNACK BAR MARKET BY CONFECTIONERY VARIANT, %, UNITED KINGDOM, 2018 VS 2024 VS 2030
- Figure 6:
- VALUE SHARE OF SNACK BAR MARKET BY CONFECTIONERY VARIANT, %, UNITED KINGDOM, 2018 VS 2024 VS 2030
- Figure 7:
- VOLUME OF CEREAL BAR MARKET, METRIC TONNES, UNITED KINGDOM, 2018 - 2030
- Figure 8:
- VALUE OF CEREAL BAR MARKET, USD, UNITED KINGDOM, 2018 - 2030
- Figure 9:
- VALUE SHARE OF CEREAL BAR MARKET BY DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL, %, UNITED KINGDOM, 2023 VS 2030
- Figure 10:
- VOLUME OF FRUIT & NUT BAR MARKET, METRIC TONNES, UNITED KINGDOM, 2018 - 2030
- Figure 11:
- VALUE OF FRUIT & NUT BAR MARKET, USD, UNITED KINGDOM, 2018 - 2030
- Figure 12:
- VALUE SHARE OF FRUIT & NUT BAR MARKET BY DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL, %, UNITED KINGDOM, 2023 VS 2030
- Figure 13:
- VOLUME OF PROTEIN BAR MARKET, METRIC TONNES, UNITED KINGDOM, 2018 - 2030
- Figure 14:
- VALUE OF PROTEIN BAR MARKET, USD, UNITED KINGDOM, 2018 - 2030
- Figure 15:
- VALUE SHARE OF PROTEIN BAR MARKET BY DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL, %, UNITED KINGDOM, 2023 VS 2030
- Figure 16:
- VOLUME OF SNACK BAR MARKET BY DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL, METRIC TONNES, UNITED KINGDOM, 2018 - 2030
- Figure 17:
- VALUE OF SNACK BAR MARKET BY DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL, USD, UNITED KINGDOM, 2018 - 2030
- Figure 18:
- VOLUME SHARE OF SNACK BAR MARKET BY DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL, %, UNITED KINGDOM, 2018 VS 2024 VS 2030
- Figure 19:
- VALUE SHARE OF SNACK BAR MARKET BY DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL, %, UNITED KINGDOM, 2018 VS 2024 VS 2030
- Figure 20:
- VOLUME OF CONFECTIONERY MARKET SOLD VIA CONVENIENCE STORE, METRIC TONNES, UNITED KINGDOM, 2018 - 2030
- Figure 21:
- VALUE OF CONFECTIONERY MARKET SOLD VIA CONVENIENCE STORE, USD, UNITED KINGDOM, 2018 - 2030
- Figure 22:
- VALUE SHARE OF CONFECTIONERY MARKET SOLD VIA CONVENIENCE STORE BY CONFECTIONERY VARIANTS, %, UNITED KINGDOM, 2023 VS 2030
- Figure 23:
- VOLUME OF CONFECTIONERY MARKET SOLD VIA ONLINE RETAIL STORE, METRIC TONNES, UNITED KINGDOM, 2018 - 2030
- Figure 24:
- VALUE OF CONFECTIONERY MARKET SOLD VIA ONLINE RETAIL STORE, USD, UNITED KINGDOM, 2018 - 2030
- Figure 25:
- VALUE SHARE OF CONFECTIONERY MARKET SOLD VIA ONLINE RETAIL STORE BY CONFECTIONERY VARIANTS, %, UNITED KINGDOM, 2023 VS 2030
- Figure 26:
- VOLUME OF CONFECTIONERY MARKET SOLD VIA SUPERMARKET/HYPERMARKET, METRIC TONNES, UNITED KINGDOM, 2018 - 2030
- Figure 27:
- VALUE OF CONFECTIONERY MARKET SOLD VIA SUPERMARKET/HYPERMARKET, USD, UNITED KINGDOM, 2018 - 2030
- Figure 28:
- VALUE SHARE OF CONFECTIONERY MARKET SOLD VIA SUPERMARKET/HYPERMARKET BY CONFECTIONERY VARIANTS, %, UNITED KINGDOM, 2023 VS 2030
- Figure 29:
- VOLUME OF CONFECTIONERY MARKET SOLD VIA OTHERS, METRIC TONNES, UNITED KINGDOM, 2018 - 2030
- Figure 30:
- VALUE OF CONFECTIONERY MARKET SOLD VIA OTHERS, USD, UNITED KINGDOM, 2018 - 2030
- Figure 31:
- VALUE SHARE OF CONFECTIONERY MARKET SOLD VIA OTHERS BY CONFECTIONERY VARIANTS, %, UNITED KINGDOM, 2023 VS 2030
- Figure 32:
- MOST ACTIVE COMPANIES BY NUMBER OF STRATEGIC MOVES, COUNT, UNITED KINGDOM, 2018 - 2023
- Figure 33:
- MOST ADOPTED STRATEGIES, COUNT, UNITED KINGDOM, 2018 - 2023
- Figure 34:
- VALUE SHARE OF MAJOR PLAYERS, %, UNITED KINGDOM, 2022
UK Snack Bar Industry Segmentation
Cereal Bar, Fruit & Nut Bar, Protein Bar are covered as segments by Confectionery Variant. Convenience Store, Online Retail Store, Supermarket/Hypermarket, Others are covered as segments by Distribution Channel.
- Supermarkets/hypermarkets are the largest channels in the UK snack bar market. The channel held the major share of 53% by value in the overall distribution channels segment. These channels provide a super-sized shopping experience with suitable displays and assortments of indulgent snacking products. The proximity factor of these channels, especially in bigger cities and metropolitan areas, gives them an added advantage of influencing the snacking habits of consumers. Some of the popular stores operating across the country are Tesco PLC, J Sainsbury PLC, Asda Stores Ltd, Wm Morrison Supermarkets PLC, Lidl, and Aldi. In 2022, Tesco and Asda had 3,456 stores and 497 Morrisons stores in the United Kingdom.
- Convenience stores are the second most widely preferred distribution channels after supermarkets and hypermarkets for the purchase of snack bars. The volume sales of snack bars through convenience stores is estimated to register a 35.56% volume share in 2024. Consumer preference toward convenience stores is due to ease of access and being open for longer hours compared to traditional stores. In 2022, there were 48,590 convenience stores located across the United Kingdom.
- The online retail channel is considered the fastest-growing segment across the country. Snack bar sales are anticipated to grow through these channels at a rate of 6.58% from 2023 to 2024 in value terms due to consumers' preference for buying on the internet, especially the goods they are familiar with, such as confectionaries, in terms of the manufacturer’s name, brand positioning, image, and packaging design.
Confectionery Variant | Cereal Bar |
Fruit & Nut Bar | |
Protein Bar | |
Distribution Channel | Convenience Store |
Online Retail Store | |
Supermarket/Hypermarket | |
Others |
Market Definition
- Milk and White Chocolate - Milk chocolates is a solid chocolate made with milk (in the form of either milk powder, liquid milk, or condensed milk) and cocoa solids. White chocolate is made from cocoa butter and milk and contains no cocoa solids whatsoever. The scope includes regular chocolates, low-sugar, and sugar-free variants
- Toffees & Nougats - Toffees include hard, chewy, and small or one-bite candies marketed with labels as toffee or toffee-like confectionery. Nougat is a chewy confection with almond, sugar, and egg white as a basic ingredient; and it originated in Europe and Middle East countries.
- Cereals Bars - A snack composed of breakfast cereal that has been compressed into a bar shape and is held together with a form of edible adhesive. The scope includes snack bars made with cereals such as rice, oats, corn, etc. mixed with a binding syrup. These also include products labeled as cereal bars, cereal treat bars, or grain bars.
- Chewing Gum - This is a preparation for chewing, usually made of flavored and sweetened chicle or such substitutes as polyvinyl acetate. The types of chewing gums included in the scope are sugar-chewing gums and sugar-free chewing gums
Keyword | Definition |
---|---|
Dark Chocolate | Dark chocolate is a form of chocolate containing cocoa solids and cocoa butter without the milk. |
White Chocolate | White chocolate is the type of chocolate containing the highest percentage of milk solids, typically around or over 30 percent. |
Milk Chocolate | Milk chocolate is made from dark chocolate that has a low cocoa solid content and higher sugar content, plus a milk product. |
Hard Candy | A candy made of sugar and corn syrup boiled without crystallizing. |
Toffees | A hard, chewy, often brown sweet that is made from sugar boiled with butter. |
Nougats | A chewy or brittle candy containing almonds or other nuts and sometimes fruit. |
Cereal bar | A cereal bar is a bar-shaped food product, made by pressing cereals and usually dried fruit or berries, which are in most cases held together by glucose syrup. |
Protein bar | Protein bars are nutrition bars that contain a high proportion of protein to carbohydrates/fats. |
Fruit & Nut bar | These are often based on dates with other dried fruit and nut additions and, in some cases, flavorings. |
NCA | The National Confectioners Association is an American trade organization that promotes chocolate, candy, gum and mints, and the companies that make these treats. |
CGMP | Current good manufacturing practices are those conforming to the guidelines recommended by relevant agencies. |
Unstandardized foods | Unstandardized foods are those that do not have a standard of identity or that deviate from a prescribed standard in any manner. |
GI | The glycemic index (GI) is a way of ranking carbohydrate-containing foods based on how slowly or quickly they are digested and increase blood glucose levels over a period of time |
Skimmed milk powder | Skimmed milk powder is obtained by removing water from pasteurized skim milk by spray-drying. |
Flavanols | Flavanols are a group of compounds found in cocoa, tea, apples, and many other plant-based foods and beverages. |
WPC | Whey protein concentrate- the substance obtained by the removal of sufficient nonprotein constituents from pasteurized whey so that the finished dry product contains greater than 25% protein. |
LDL | Low density Lipoprotein- the bad cholesterol |
HDL | High density Lipoprotein- the good cholesterol |
BHT | butylated Hydroxytoluene is a lab-made chemical that is added to foods as a preservative. |
Carrageenan | Carrageenan is an additive used to thicken, emulsify, and preserve foods and drinks. |
Free form | Not containing certain ingredients, such as gluten, dairy, or sugar. |
Cocoa butter | It is a fatty substance obtained from cocoa beans, used in the manufacture of confectionery. |
Pastellies | A type of of Brazilian candy made from sugar, eggs, and milk. |
Draggees | Small, round candies that are coated with a hard sugar shell |
CHOPRABISCO | Royal Belgian Association of the chocolate, pralines, biscuit, and confectionery industry- A trade association that represents the Belgian chocolate industry. |
European Directive 2000/13 | A European Union directive that regulates the labeling of food products |
Kakao-Verordnung | The German chocolate ordinance, a set of regulations that define what can be labeled as "chocolate" in Germany. |
FASFC | Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain |
Pectin | A natural substance that is derived from fruits and vegetables. It is used in confectionery to create a gel-like texture. |
Invert sugars | A type of sugar that is made up of glucose and fructose. |
Emulsifier | A substance that helps to mix to liquids that does not mix together. |
Anthocyanins | A type of flavonoid that is responsible for the red, purple, and blue colors of confectionery. |
Functional Foods | Foods that have been modified to provide additional health benefits beyond basic nutrition. |
Kosher certificate | This certification verifies that the ingredients, production process including all machinery, and/or food-service process complies with the standards of Jewish dietary law |
Chicory root extract | A natural extract from the chicory root that is a good source of fiber, calcium, phosphorous, and folate |
RDD | Recommended daily dose |
Gummies | A chewy gelatin-based candy that is often flavored with fruit. |
Nutraceuticals | Food or dietary supplements that are claimed to have health benefits. |
Energy bars | Snack bars that are high in carbohydrates and calories are designed to provide energy on the go. |
BFSO | Belgian Food Safety Organization for the food chain. |
Research Methodology
Mordor Intelligence follows a four-step methodology in all our reports.
- Step-1: Identify Key Variables: In order to build a robust forecasting methodology, the variables and factors identified in Step 1 are tested against available historical market numbers. Through an iterative process, the variables required for market forecast are set, and the model is built on the basis of these variables.
- Step-2: Build a Market Model: Market-size estimations for the forecast years are in nominal terms. Inflation is not a part of the pricing, and the average selling price (ASP) is kept constant throughout the forecast period for each country.
- Step-3: Validate and Finalize: In this important step, all market numbers, variables, and analyst calls are validated through an extensive network of primary research experts from the market studied. The respondents are selected across levels and functions to generate a holistic picture of the market studied.
- Step-4: Research Outputs: Syndicated Reports, Custom Consulting Assignments, Databases & Subscription Platforms