2025
9
UK Household Paper Products Market Report 2025
2025-03-17T16:01:42+00:00
REP48CA06B5_C256_4300_A562_E4F72DC73FA3
2195
180639
[{"name":"Paper Products","url":"https:\/\/store.mintel.com\/industries\/household-home\/paper-products"},{"name":"Market Intelligence Reports","url":"https:\/\/store.mintel.com\/report-type\/market-intelligence-reports"},{"name":"UK","url":"https:\/\/store.mintel.com\/markets\/uk-market-research"}]
Report
en_GB
In the UK, 75% of adults who have bought houseghold paper products in the last six months say they tend to purchase these products just…
UK
Paper Products
simple

UK Household Paper Products Market Report 2025

In the UK, 75% of adults who have bought houseghold paper products in the last six months say they tend to purchase these products just before they run out.

Trusted by leading global brands

Amazon logo
Deutsch brand logo
waitrose
Bauer-Media-Group
mediacom-logo-e1438678858172 (1)
VML Logo
Epsilon Logo
VocaLink_Mastercard_logo-PNG-1
Amazon logo
Deutsch brand logo
waitrose
Bauer-Media-Group
mediacom-logo-e1438678858172 (1)
VML Logo
Epsilon Logo
VocaLink_Mastercard_logo-PNG-1
4.5 stars
Source: G2.com, Inc.
Collapse All
  1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

    • Opportunities for the household paper product market
    • Reignite consumer interest in sustainability
    • Make own-label ranges more competitive
    • Tap into brand loyalty in the category
    • Market dynamics and outlook
    • Market size & forecast
    • Market predictions for household paper products
    • The household paper market is forecast to plateau
    • Consumers place their trust in longstanding brands
    • What consumers want and why
    • Usage remains largely unchanged, despite environmental concerns
    • Graph 1: usage of household paper products in the last month, 2022 and 2024
    • Consumers find alternatives to facial tissues
    • Graph 2: consumers who use other household paper products instead of facial tissues, by generation, 2024
    • Online opportunities for paper product brands persist
    • Cost is the primary barrier to subscription use…
    • Graph 3: reasons for not purchasing household paper products online as part of a subscription, 2024
    • …and is hindering any shift toward sustainable products
    • Graph 4: factors that discourage consumers from purchasing eco-friendly household paper products, 2024
    • Address storage space issues
    • Graph 5: household paper product behaviours, 2024
    • Convince consumers to switch allegiances
    • Graph 6: attitudes towards household paper products, 2024
    • Innovation and marketing
    • Sustainability drives new product development
    • Responsible launch activity extends far beyond packaging
    • Challenger brands leverage advertising to disrupt the category
    • Graph 7: total above-the-line, online display and direct mail advertising expenditure on household paper products, by advertiser, 2023-24
  2. MARKET DYNAMICS

    • Market size
    • Post-COVID-19 growth was short lived
    • Graph 8: market size for household paper products (£m), 2020-24
    • Sales decline takes hold as inflation eases
    • Money saving behaviours continued in 2024
    • Market forecast
    • Value sales are set to stabilise
    • Quality could unlock additional spending in the category
    • Market segmentation
    • The value of all household paper product segments declined
    • Market share
    • Own-label’s share of toilet paper segment declined
    • Regina takes the crown in the kitchen roll segment
    • Kleenex accounts for over half of the facial tissue market
    • Distribution channels
    • Most household paper products are purchased at grocery multiples…
    • …but a slight shift is expected in future
    • Market drivers
    • The impact of the cost-of-living crisis persists
    • Graph 9: perception of the state of the cost-of-living crisis in the UK, 2025
    • Population growth will be less likely to boost demand in future
    • Graph 10: population estimates, 2021 projection, 2004-44
    • The ban on plastic-containing wipes comes into effect
    • The UK Green Claims Code issues guidelines to avoid greenwashing
    • The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive aims to reduce waste
    • Governance is also making environmentally friendly packaging the most cost effective solution
    • Cold and flu season impacts demand
    • Graph 11: types of pains/ailments experienced in the last 12 months, 2023 and 2024
  3. WHAT CONSUMERS WANT AND WHY

    • Usage of household paper products
    • Household paper usage remains consistent
    • Traditional paper products see strongest usage
    • Graph 12: usage of household paper products in the last month, 2022 and 2024
    • Create new usage occasions for facial tissues amongst women
    • Graph 13: usage of facial tissues in the last month, by gender, 2024
    • Use of kitchen rolls, paper napkins and serviettes could decline in future
    • Graph 14: usage of kitchen rolls, paper napkins and serviettes in the last month, by gender and age, 2024
    • Purchase channels for household paper products
    • Spontaneity drives in-store purchasing
    • Graph 15: channels used to purchase household paper products in the last six months, 2024
    • Younger generations are more likely to shop online
    • Graph 16: online purchase of household paper products in the last six months, by generation, 2024
    • On-demand delivery could boost online spending
    • Subscription services hold potential
    • Barriers to household paper product subscription usage
    • Overcome challenges in subscription models
    • Graph 17: reasons for not purchasing household paper products online as part of a subscription, 2024
    • Prove price perceptions incorrect
    • Comparative marketing can change consumer opinion
    • Barriers to eco-friendly household paper product usage
    • Overcome eco-barriers to become mainstream
    • Graph 18: factors that discourage consumers from purchasing eco-friendly household paper products, 2024
    • Address quality concerns
    • Graph 19: factors relating to quality that discourage consumers the purchase of eco-friendly household paper products, 2024
    • Find local alternatives to more established eco materials
    • Overcome aesthetic barriers
    • Household paper product behaviours
    • Purchase behaviours are impacted by living conditions
    • Graph 20: household paper product behaviours, 2024
    • Household names can expand their product range
    • Consumers are becoming more waste conscious
    • The facial tissue category needs a revival
    • Graph 21: consumers who use other household paper products instead of facial tissues, by generation, 2024
    • Improve the eco-friendliness of wet wipes
    • Attitudes towards household paper products
    • Convince consumers to switch allegiances
    • Graph 22: attitudes towards household paper products, 2024
    • Extend eco-friendly brand reach through presence on shelves
    • Reusable alternatives hold potential for eco-minded consumers
  4. INNOVATION AND MARKETING TRENDS

    • Launch activity and innovation
    • NPD focus shifts from toilet paper to kitchen roll
    • Graph 23: household paper product launches, by sub-category, 2020-24
    • Environmental expectations are high
    • Graph 24: household paper product launches carrying ethical or environmental claims, 2020-24
    • Plastic-free alternatives will need to prove eco-friendliness
    • Create alternatives to wet wipes
    • Substantiating claims will be crucial to resonate with consumers
    • Eco-friendly packaging claims play catch up
    • Graph 25: household paper product launches carrying select ethical & environmental claims, 2020-24
    • Appeal through packaging innovation
    • Innovation in the category has declined
    • Price influences success of own-label paper products
    • Graph 26: branded vs private label household care product launches, 2024
    • Opportunities for own-label and brands to rethink positioning
    • Graph 27: branded and private label household paper product launches carrying premium and economy claims, 2024
    • Both brands and own-label brands are diversifying their ranges
    • A gap in the market for skin health focused NPD
    • Graph 28: toilet (dry and wet) and facial tissue launches carrying select product tested claims, 2020-24
    • Cater to skin sensitivities
    • Diversify facial tissue offerings
    • Advertising and marketing activity
    • TV leads the way in advertising spend
    • The facial tissue category sees large ad investment
    • Graph 29: total above-the-line, online display and direct mail advertising expenditure on household paper products, by category minor, 2023-24
    • Kleenex invests in outdoor advertising
    • Challenger brands leverage advertising to disrupt the paper product industry
    • Graph 30: total above-the-line, online display and direct mail advertising expenditure on household paper products, by advertiser, 2023-24
    • ‘Uncrap The World’ with Who Gives A Crap
  5. APPENDIX

    • Market forecast data and methodology
    • Market forecast: at constant and current prices
    • Market forecast: prediction intervals
    • Forecast methodology
    • Report scope and definitions
    • Products covered in this Report
    • Abbreviations and terms
    • Generations
    • Consumer research methodology
    • Nielsen Ad Intel coverage
Download Report Summary

UK Household Paper Products Market Analysis

The UK household paper products market has declined due to inflation and changes in consumer spending from the cost-of-living crisis. However, the market is expected to stabilise with minimal growth from 2024 to 2029, according to the latest household paper market analysis.

As consumers prioritise value, convenience remains central to their purchasing decisions. Brand loyalty is strong in the household paper products market, especially for toilet paper, kitchen rolls, and facial tissues, with consumers favouring branded products despite price sensitivity. However, own-label products are gaining traction, particularly during financial uncertainty, though their growth slowed in 2024. This shift reflects the increasing demand for value-driven purchases. Opportunities for subscription services are emerging, offering added value and flexible delivery. Sustainability is driving product development, with innovations like plastic-free tissues and wet wipe alternatives gaining momentum. However, concerns about price and greenwashing are hindering wider adoption of eco-friendly products. Brands focusing on quality, sustainability, and consumer trust will likely build a loyal customer base in the household paper products sector

UK Household Paper Products Market Consumer Trends

Toilet paper and kitchen rolls remain staples in UK households, while facial tissues face challenges as younger consumers opt for cost-effective alternatives like kitchen rolls or moist toilet tissues. Growing interest in eco-friendly products is limited by concerns over quality and higher costs. Brand loyalty remains strong, but challenger brands with eco-friendly alternatives are gaining traction. Subscription services show potential but face hurdles as consumers prefer purchasing on-demand. These trends are key to understanding the shifts in the household paper products industry in the UK.

Purchasing this report will provide valuable insights into the household paper products demand, helping you identify strategy gaps, refine your approach, and capitalise on growth opportunities with today’s value-driven, sustainability-conscious consumers.  

About The Report

The UK household paper products market report provides a comprehensive analysis of market trends, including size, forecast growth, and consumer preferences. It highlights key drivers such as price sensitivity, brand loyalty, and the cost-of-living crisis. The report also covers sustainability trends and innovations, offering insights for businesses to capitalise on new opportunities. By examining consumer behaviour, distribution channels, and market segmentation, it will help companies refine strategies, adapt offerings, and stay ahead of household paper products market trends. Manufacturers, retailers, and marketers can use this report to engage effectively with consumers.

Key Topics Analysed in the Report

  • Mintel’s predictions for value sales growth in the household paper product category
  • How challenger brands are disrupting the category
  • Opportunities for established brands to leverage brand loyalty
  • The impact of sustainability on consumer behaviour and new product development
  • Factors that discourage consumers from subscription services.

 

Report Attributes Details
Published Date March 2025
Data Range 2019-2029
Measurement Metrics Revenue in £
Country Focus United Kingdom (UK)
Consumer Data 1,979 internet users aged 16+, December 2024
Number of Pages 71
Market Segmentation Toilet Tissue, Kitchen Towels, Facial Tissues, Paper Napkins/Serviettes
Leading Brands Who Gives A Crap, Andrex, Plenty, Kleenex, Regina, Cushelle, Serious Tissues, Edet, Naked Sprout

 

Meet the Expert Behind the Analysis

This report was written by Luke Santos. Luke joined the Mintel household care research team in 2022, researching and writing Household Care and brand Reports, focusing on consumer behaviour and product innovation. Luke has a BA (Hons) in Geography and Spanish from Swansea University.

Value sales in the household paper product category declined significantly in 2024, as consumers remain cautious when buying toilet, kitchen and facial tissues.

Luke Santos

Brand Analyst, Household Care

£ 2,195 excl. Tax
Secure direct checkout
Instant PDF download
Portal access included
Need help deciding? Get in touch

Trusted by global industry leaders

4.5 stars
Source: G2.com, Inc.
Mediacom logo

Mintel is really good for getting a handle on a particular category quickly. If we are working on a new business pitch in an area we don’t have much experience in, it’s a brilliant way to get up to speed with what’s going on, what’s changing and what the key trends are in any category.

It’s very rare now that anyone will plough through a 200-page report – that’s why the summaries are really useful. We know they are backed up by a lot of detail, so if you need to go into something in more depth you know the information will be all there for you.

Pauline Robson, Managing Partner, Mediacom
Tenth Wave logo

Mintel helps us when we want to know something quickly – it provides fast answers to our questions. If we need to get a view of what’s going on in a particular market it’s very useful.

When carrying out background research, I find Mintel an excellent starting point.

The fact that it covers so many markets is a big plus for me– instead of having to buy specialist products in each area we are interested in, especially when we only require a brief view on a particular market, we can go to Mintel for help as a one-stop shop. I find Mintel a useful and valuable resource.

Ben Zeidler, Director - Research and Analytics, Tenth Wave
Wincanton logo

When I’m investigating specific sectors I tend to use Mintel reports for their forecasting, which I’ve always found to be very accurate.

They also offer really broad and deep coverage in their reports. They are very, very detailed. For example, we were able to gain insight across a wide range of business areas from just one report, proving that Mintel is excellent value for money.

So overall, it’s the level of detail and the quality of forecasting that really stand out for me.

Rebecca Green, Market Insight Manager, Wincanton
Waitrose & Partners logo

We’ve found it so useful working more closely with Mintel. They helped support our recent flagship event for our top suppliers by providing a really unique viewpoint on the future of online retailing.

Nick Carroll from their Retail Team was also an excellent panelist, sharing useful and actionable consumer insights. We definitely look forward to working with Mintel again on future projects.

Zac Steele, E-Commerce Trading Development Manager, Waitrose & Partners
Amazon logo

Working in a customer-obsessed organization means that data and insights have to be at our fingertips. Mintel’s reports help us support anecdotes with real quantifiable insights. The summary sections (which I really like) helps save time by giving a birds eye view of the content before spending time combing through the pages.

Our business review discussions are strengthened by the relevancy of the reports to help us better understand our customers. In addition, the customer service received from the team (especially in crunch periods) makes the process of understanding customer behavior even better.

Ngozi Ngonadi-Nkwoji, Senior Marketing Manager, Amazon
Deutsch logo

One of the biggest challenges we face is the need to get smart on a business or category real quick.

We are talking to clients who live and breathe their category every day and the expectation is that we will be able to get caught up very quickly, and bring the thinking that can help them.

We need to do that often in a matter of days, so it’s not a small ask. Mintel gives us a very articulate view of category conditions and does so at the speed we need it.

Jeff White, Business Development Director, Deutsch
Abacus logo

There is no question that Mintel is the go-to resource for the best quality market research, but I did not think it was an affordable option for Abacus Marketing to consider. As a small marketing agency, we only work with a few new clients each year.

However, we have a very high-end consultative approach to our work, so we really do need a partner like Mintel to provide the big agency experience we are always aiming to deliver. Our clients come from an incredibly diverse range of industry sectors, so we obviously need access to market research reports from a very wide spectrum of marketplaces – and that is precisely what we got.

Stephen Taylor-Brown, Managing Director, Abacus
Epsilon logo

We utilize Mintel Reports, Trends and Comperemedia to mine for insights across the numerous business verticals that Epsilon serves, such as CPG, automotive, telecom, healthcare/pharma, retail and financial services.

By integrating Mintel insight into new business opportunities, we have been able to gain the competitive edge necessary to advance partnerships with global brands and key business players.

For our organization, it’s about depth and breadth. Having one without the other doesn’t enable success in our business.

Virginia Harvey, Secondary Research Manager, Epsilon
VocaLink logo

We use Mintel Reports, mostly for financial services and ecommerce markets, plus a few retail and technology ones.

As a leading payments provider, we value additional insights into consumer behaviour, opinions and trends that are shaping the many different markets we operate in. Mintel is a very good and very quick way for us to obtain those insights.

We use Mintel to get a view on where a particular market is going, which can support us in product development and help us identify opportunities or indeed risks, it is a very useful barometer of a market’s potential.

 

Andrew Neeson, Market Intelligence Manager, VocaLink
Jackman logo

At Jackman, we believe that powerful strategies are based on human insight. Mintel’s leading-edge reports and insights into consumer attitudes and behaviors are an important input as we develop and execute strategy.

Alana Gavin, VP Research and Insights, Jackman
Bauer Media Group logo

We have such a great working relationship with Mintel on lots of different levels. As an insight partner, they have helped us to develop our business planning in specific categories as well as supporting our creative process but they’ve also been super helpful with facilitating our events in their inspirational offices near St Paul’s.

They’re an innovative company, with a client-focused team that always delivers.

Abby Carvosso, Group Managing Director, Bauer Media Group
VML logo

We use Mintel to inform our thinking and reinforce strategy. If you’re presenting new ideas, it’s essential they are underpinned by robust data and evidence, and clearly rooted in fact.

Mintel gives us all that. It’s a great brand and one that is trusted by clients.

Marie Stafford, European Director, The Innovation Group, VML