The average Brit eats 30 kg of sugar a year, 50% more than health experts recommend. At the same time, vegan confectionery sales jumped 45% last year as shoppers seek kinder, cleaner treats.
Whether you’re catering to calorie-counters or plant-based foodies, choosing between sugar-free and vegan sweets can make or break your confectionery business.
In this post, we’ll weigh the upsides and downsides of each so you can stock the shelves that sell.
Let’s get straight into it.
How is the UK confectionery market changing?
Sweets have been around for 2,000 years, originating in Ancient Egypt - but sweets as we know them today were first invented in the 1800s. Boiled sweets were quickly followed by gummy bears, and today’s consumers have access to a wide selection of treats.
However, with society becoming more health-conscious and concerned about animal rights, we’re seeing distinct shifts in the types of confectionery people purchase.
Key driving forces behind these changes include rising obesity rates and ethical choices.
With obesity rates at an all-time high, many consumers are attempting to reduce their sugar intake. Tooth decay and diabetes are also contributors to the search for healthier sweets.
Also, veganism isn’t just a diet choice any more; it’s a lifestyle. Many people are embracing plant-based products for sustainability and animal rights.
The demand for sugar-free sweets
Sugar-free sweets continue to be in high demand, with more people opting for them in an attempt to reduce their calorie intake and enjoy a healthier lifestyle.
According to Grand View Research, the UK market was worth $103.6 million in 2019, which will increase to over $150 million by 2027.
Studies also show that people in the UK consume 50% more sugar than recommended, highlighting ongoing concerns about obesity (ASO).
The rising demands for sugar-free sweets are most common among the following demographics:
- Diabetics seeking treats
- Parents who want healthier treats for children
- Adults attempting to lose weight
- Wellness and fitness enthusiasts
The benefits of sugar-free sweets
When you offer customers sugar-free sweets, you ensure inclusivity while boosting profitability. Let’s take a look at the many benefits they offer:
- Diversity: Today’s sugar-free sweets offer plenty of variety for customers, with recreations of popular confectionery, including gummy bears, cola bottles, and boiled sweets.
- Affordability: Whether you want to stock up on sugar-free sweet bags, boxes, chocolate, or anything else, you’ll find plenty of options available at excellent prices.
- Business Growth: By offering your customers a wide range of confectionery, you can boost profitability and grow a successful business.
Potential drawbacks
While sugar-free sweets are in demand, there are some challenges that businesses will need to navigate. These include:
- Taste Perception: Low-quality sugar-free sweets can impact customer experience, as they may have a chemical aftertaste, but you can avoid this by opting for reputable brands like Astra and De Bron.
- Pricing: Investing in sugar-free confectionery can cost slightly more than traditional sweets, but most consumers are willing to pay extra.
Vegan sweets
Veganism is no longer a fringe movement but a popular lifestyle choice for health, environmental, and ethical reasons. Companies across the world have adapted to plant-based foods, offering consumers a wide range of options, including confectionery.
For example, brands like Swizzels have boosted vegan sweet production rates to align with consumer demands, and young people are leading the charge in adopting a plant-based lifestyle (Grocery Trader).
The benefits of vegan confectionery
Investing in vegan confectionery offers many benefits for businesses, including:
- Quality: Advances in technology now mean that vegan sweets taste like traditional gelatine-based sweets, ensuring plant-based consumers don’t have to sacrifice taste and texture.
- Variety: You’ll find vegan sweets in all forms, including gummy and foam sweets. Brands like Bubs are redefining the confectionery industry.
- Price: While some vegan sweets have a higher price point, they’re still highly affordable and accessible for vegans on a budget.
Potential Challenges:
- Ingredients: Manufacturers must find a balance between using non-animal-derived ingredients without sacrificing quality.
- Cost: Vegan sweets may be more expensive to produce, but - as we said - many vegans are willing to pay a bit more for their favourite treats.
Do vegan or sugar-free sweets sell better?
When deciding whether to sell vegan or sugar-free sweets, it’s important to remember that both cater to distinctly different markets—although there is some crossover among health and wellness enthusiasts.
While sugar-free sweets are popular among diabetics, older adults, and individuals who are trying to lose weight, vegan sweets are top sellers for millennial, Gen Z, and eco-conscious audiences.
In terms of retail trends, vegan sweets have a higher growth rate - as depicted below.
Grow your confectionery business by selling both
Instead of focusing on one niche market, selling sugar-free and vegan confectionery gives you access to a wider customer base and ensures you can remain competitive in the UK confectionery market.
Sugar-free and vegan sweets are in high demand, and by offering both, you can appeal to customers looking for ethical and health-conscious treats.
Stock up on sugar-free and vegan sweets with Appleton’s
Appleton Sweets is your go-to place for high-quality confectionery. We stock our website with vegan and sugar-free sweets from the world’s most reputable brands, including Bubs, De Bron, and Astra.
Founded in 1945, Appleton’s has consistently been at the forefront of confectionery trends, delivering a combination of quality and affordability.
Our loyal customers can take advantage of the following benefits:
- Low Prices: Buying in bulk means you can save money, but we go a step further by offering our customers incredible deals. Plus, you can get free UK delivery when you spend £500 on vegan and sugar-free sweets.
- Flexibility: While many wholesale confectioners have minimum order amounts, Appleton’s is your go-to place for a flexible experience. Whether you have a national brand or are just starting out, you can shop on your own terms.
Support: We’re passionate about confectionery and are always on hand to offer advice. Just contact us, and we’ll get back to you.