Seasonal variants targeting non-Christian celebrations are an under-utilised opportunity for brands to drive sales, as 37% of adults (61% of under-45s) have bought food/drink for these occasions, but products explicitly…
UK
Food
Drinks
simple
UK Seasonal Food and Drink Market Report 2026
"Offering accessible prices on seasonal products is crucial short-term. International twists on traditional products and single-serve formats hold strong potential."
Seasonal variants targeting non-Christian celebrations are an under-utilised opportunity for brands to drive sales, as 37% of adults (61% of under-45s) have bought food/drink for these occasions, but products explicitly linked to these celebrations are uncommon in mainstream retail.
Continued pressure on household incomes and weak consumer confidence in 2026 will support at-home celebrations. However, savvy shopping mentality will favour own-label, making it crucial for brands to justify their prices. Opportunities remain for premium products despite the income squeeze, but own-label poses strong competition here too.
Tapping into nostalgia, including through revivals of past seasonal variants, offers brands a means to leverage a key advantage they have over own-label. 62% of buyers (76% of 25-44s) choose seasonal food/drink that reminds them of their childhood.
Growth in 20-34s over 2025-30 will support sales of seasonal food/drink, as under-35s are the key seasonal shoppers. However, growth being slower than in 2020-25 means this will offer less support than before.
This Report Looks at the Following Areas:
The implications of consumers’ financial health and confidence for sales of seasonal food and drink through retail in 2026-27
Purchase of food/drink for seasonal occasions, by seasonal celebration and product type
Who seasonal food/drink products are bought for, including treating oneself, other household members and gifting
The interaction of tradition and novelty as purchase drivers for seasonal food/drink
Pressure felt by people to scratch-cook for seasonal occasions, and interest in cooking advice
Trends in seasonal food/drink launches, and opportunities for further innovation
Key themes in seasonal retail activations
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
What you need to know
Outlook for seasonal food and drink
Opportunities
Harness self-treating’s role in seasonal buying
Offer ‘tradition with a twist’ to win over seasonal shoppers
Support cooking efforts around seasonal occasions
THE MARKET
Continuing income squeeze will favour at-home celebrations
Graph 1: financial wellbeing and confidence indices, 2019-26
Opportunities remain for premium products, but own-label offers stiff competition
Inflation in chocolate raises prices for seasonal products
Maintaining in-store visibility despite the HFSS regulations is crucial for brands
THE CONSUMER
Nine in ten adults buy seasonal food or drink
Seasonal occasions are an important way to engage shoppers
Chocolate leads amid near-universal purchase for seasonal occasions
Graph 2: purchase of food/drink for seasonal occasions (netted by any occasion), by product type, 2025
Non-Christian celebrations to grow share of food/drink sales longer term
Younger adults are the key seasonal buyers; no difference by financial circumstances
Tap into self-treating
Seasonal products are mainly bought for others, but self-treating is also important
Explore single-portion formats to appeal to people looking to treat themselves
Lean into the mood-boosting connotations of treating oneself
Offer ‘mix-and-match’ options for seasonal sharing selections
Put a twist on tradition to excite seasonal shoppers
Nostalgia plays a big role in seasonal buying, but many are open to trying something new
Revive seasonal variants from previous decades to appeal to nostalgic shoppers
Explore international flavours
Novelty appeals for at-home celebrations
Use social media to engage seasonal shoppers
Support cooking efforts both before and after seasonal celebrations
Many hosts feel under pressure; advice on using up leftovers appeals widely
Offer shortcut solutions for people cooking for seasonal occasions
Link up with leftovers
Use social media and apps to showcase meal suggestions
PRODUCT, INNOVATION AND MARKETING
Seasonal products gain share of food launches over 2020-25
Graph 3: share of food and soft/alcoholic drinks launches with a seasonal positioning, 2020-25, by broad category
Further activity in non-chocolate advent calendars in 2025
Brands and retailers bring traditional flavours to new categories
Seasonal products draw on wider food trends
Own-label continues to deploy visual flair in 2025-26
Brands continue with seasonal retail activations in 2025-26
Giveaways remain a key part of brands’ seasonal campaigns
Leading brands look beyond Christian celebrations in seasonal activations
APPENDIX
Report scope
The market
Market drivers – price inflation in chocolate
Graph 4: CPI inflation for chocolate and all food, 2021-25
The consumer
Consumer research questions
Consumer research methodology – EMEA
UK generation groups
Abbreviations
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