Report Summary
A review of 2023 Christmas food and drink activity and recommendations on consumer expectations for the 2024 festive season.
Kate Vlietstra, Senior Director, Mintel Food & Drink
Table of Contents
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- Mintel's perspective
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CHRISTMAS 2023: KEY DRIVERS IMPACTING ON FOOD AND DRINK SALES
- Global economic and political issues impacted Christmas 2023
- The cost-of-living crisis continued in 2023
- Consumers felt the impact on household finances
- Graph 1: household and lifestyle issues faced in the last two months, by market, 2024
- Plans to spend less resulted in a reduction in some premium product sales
- Graph 2: Christmas 2023 spending expectations, by area, 2023
- UK supermarkets enjoyed strong sales over Christmas 2023
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2023 GLOBAL CHRISTMAS FOOD AND DRINK REVIEW: SEASONAL LAUNCH ACTIVITY
- For Christmas 2023, the busiest seasonal innovators globally were the UK, the US and Germany
- Graph 3: top 10 markets for Christmas/winter seasonal NPD, 2022-24*
- Sweet goods are the primary sub-categories for Christmas innovation
- Graph 4: top 10 categories for Christmas/winter seasonal NPD, 2022-24*
- The UK had the highest level of retailer private label activity
- Graph 5: top 10 markets for Christmas/winter seasonal NPD, private label vs branded split, by market, 2023-24*
- Seasonal lines in sub-categories such as beverages are predominantly from branded suppliers
- Graph 6: top categories for Christmas/winter seasonal NPD, split by brand/private label, by category, 2023-24*
- Four out of five Christmas/winter seasonal launches are either new pack designs or range extensions
- Graph 7: Christmas/winter seasonal launches, by launch type, 2023-24*
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GLOBAL PRODUCT EXAMPLES FROM CHRISTMAS 2023
- Experience the magic
- Launches of premium products are on the rise
- Graph 8: Christmas/winter seasonal launches featuring a premium claim, by year, 2020-24*
- Paying a premium
- Fusion dishes add a touch of premiumisation
- Feast for the eyes
- Private label opts for experience-led products
- Keep it a mystery
- Alcohol flavours add decadence
- Eggnog is soaring
- Eggnog has been identified by Mintel's Flavourscape AI as a novel flavour with high growth momentum in North America
- Interpreting the map
- Festive flavours span many food categories
- Simple comforts
- Celebrate through packaging and shaped products
- Wreaths and garlands feature in abundance
- Festive packaging collaborations with designers
- Gift sets hold appeal
- Nostalgia drives interest in branded gift selections
- Advent calendars veer towards chocolate but other categories are getting a look-in
- Time to get comfy
- Celebrate cultural heritage
- Help consumers follow food preparation traditions
- Give consumers a helping hand
- Make the most of 'Twixmas'
- Mindful Christmas
- Consumers are interested in a mindful Christmas
- Healthy products get in the festive spirit
- Beautifying foods appeal at Christmas
- The low-alcohol trend maintains popularity over Christmas
- Plant-based offers health and sustainable benefits
- Sustainability claims on the rise
- Graph 9: Christmas/winter seasonal launches featuring an ethical/environmental claim, by claim, 2020-24*
- Sustainable packaging holds appeal
- Organic German supermarket releases first Christmas ad
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PLAN FOR THE FUTURE – LOOKING AHEAD TO THE DRIVERS OF CHRISTMAS 2024 FOOD AND DRINK PRODUCTS
- The global economy is recovering but interest rates will impact growth in 2024
- 2024: a year of politics, sports and artificial intelligence
- Mintel recommends the four key drivers to focus on for Christmas 2024
About the report
This market report provides in-depth analysis and insight supported by a range of data. At the same time, introductory and top-level content is provided to give you an overview of the issues covered.
The consumer
What They Want. Why They Want It.
The Competitors
Who’s Winning. How To Stay Ahead.
The Market
Size, Segments, Shares And Forecasts: How It All Adds Up.
The Innovations
New Ideas. New Products. New Potential.
The Opportunities
Where The White Space Is. How To Make It Yours.
The Trends
What’s Shaping Demand – Today And Tomorrow.
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Please Note: All of the figures, graphs, and tables have been redacted.