BISCUITS are bought more frequently and feature in more shopping baskets than any other snack food category according to United Biscuits – partly because, it says, biscuits offer a snack for any occasion and budget.
Trade communications controller Hena Chandarana said: “Even in challenging times the biscuit market has continued to show its strength, particularly over the past 12 months.
“It is a huge category, currently worth upwards of £2.3bn, and it has been growing for the past 10 years.”
Chandarana said health and wellbeing has never been higher on the shopper’s agenda but both sweet and savoury biscuits should be able to cope with that by stressing the value of a balanced diet and moderation in treats.
She said: “At UB our clear message is that all snacks should be enjoyed as part of a healthy balanced diet – and we are committed to helping consumers make informed and wholesome choices, using expertise gained from over 120 years of baking.”
The latest new products introduced by UB include McVitie’s Digestive Teacakes and McVitie’s Hobnobs Teacakes.
Senior brand manager at McVitie’s Cake Company Karyn Bryant said: “We are extremely excited about the launch of McVitie’s Teacakes which we feel offers a ground-breaking new product for our customers.
“We have already seen great success in past innovations where we have brought the well-loved taste of McVitie’s products to the cake aisle in new formats, and are confident McVitie’s Teacakes will prove a strong contender against existing ranges.
“After all, McVitie’s biscuits are eaten by 52m people in the UK so we firmly believe McVitie’s Teacakes will be a popular hit with shoppers.”
