What you need to know

Sugar made headlines in 2014 as the latest ‘health foe’, and this has continued throughout 2015. While this focus could be expected to have hit sugar confectionery, a relatively high 42% of users state that the healthiness of sweets does not concern them. Accordingly, sweets have held their place as a popular treat. Four in five (79%) people eat these, unchanged against 2014.

While the impact on the market has been limited, the highly visible public focus on sugar continues to pose a threat, including suggestions of a centrally led reformulation programme to reduce sugar in food and drink. The openness to sugar-free variants and positive views of alternatives to refined sugar suggest these as potential areas to explore.

Eaten by just one in three people, chewing gum lags noticeably behind sweets. Only 47% of people think that chewing gum helps to keep the teeth healthy after eating, despite sugar-free gum securing EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) approval for related claims. Driving awareness of the dental health benefits of gum remains a key approach for supporting usage.

Products covered in this report

This report examines the UK retail market for sugar confectionery (including mints) and gum. Mintel’s definition includes products sold through the retail channel, including:

  • soft confectionery (such as jelly sweets, pastilles)

  • standard and power mints

  • hard confectionery (such as boiled sweet, toffees, caramels)

  • functional confectionery (such as medicated confectionery)

  • chewing gum and bubblegum

  • other confectionery (such as loose pick n’ mix and lollipops).

It excludes sales of chocolate confectionery. Sales via catering or foodservice establishments are excluded, however, references and comparisons to these sectors may be made where relevant.

Back to top