As 2023 comes to a close, supermarkets are setting the scene for holiday feasts.
- Waitrose, Tesco, Asda, and others highlight their festive vegan and plant-based options.
- The rise of social media has brought graze boards into the spotlight this festive season.
- Turkey continues to dominate, but alternative centrepieces make their mark.
- The trend towards no and low alcohol drinks is growing substantially in the UK.
The festive season in 2023 sees supermarkets like Waitrose, Tesco, Asda, Co-op, and M&S showcasing their top food and drink trends. Vegan and plant-based options remain a key focus, despite some challenges faced by vegan food retailers earlier in the year. Waitrose is experiencing increased interest in plant-based foods, with search activity up 115% from last year. They offer an array of options including a triple nut roast and plant-based wellington. Tesco introduces over 100 products from its Plant Chef and Free From ranges, featuring innovative dishes and dairy-free desserts. Asda expands its offering with the Vegan Society-approved OMV! range, reflecting growing consumer demand.
Social media’s influence is evident as graze boards gain popularity. Asda taps into this trend with its Extra Special Specialty Cheeseboard and Charcuterie Ultimate Grazing Platter. Tesco introduces a festive Build Your Own Christmas Olive Tree concept, which adds a creative twist to traditional offerings.
Turkey remains at the heart of Christmas dinners, with Tesco offering an impressive selection of over 40 options. Nevertheless, there is a noticeable shift towards alternative centrepieces; Waitrose highlights a fish focus with their Shimmering Salmon Mousse. Asda’s innovation includes a range of non-traditional options like the Extra Special British Monkfish Tails.
The convenience of party foods is a priority for retailers like Co-op, featuring easy-to-cook items such as Orange Bubble Tempura Prawns. Iceland promotes its affordability through Mix & Match offers, indicative of a broader strategy to support cost-conscious consumers during the festive period.
There is a marked increase in the demand for no and low alcohol beverages, as reflected by growth in Waitrose’s sales and consumer preferences, as identified by Diageo’s research. This trend is matched by Co-op’s plans to launch several non-alcoholic options.
The 2023 festive trends showcase a blend of tradition and innovation, reflecting changing consumer preferences.
