GROWTH for non-dairy drinks in the convenience channel is outpacing the total market, opening up opportunities for retailers according to Mars Chocolate Drinks and Treats.
The firm highlighted data from IRI which valued the total non-dairy drinks category at £387m, with year-on-year growth of 13%. In the convenience channel, growth was recorded at 17%, with value sales for the 52 weeks to 4 September totalling £63 million.
By format, take-home packs appear to be flying, but Michelle Frost, general manager at MCD&T, predicted growth for on-the-go formats: “Unlike flavoured milk drinks, where on-the-go formats account for 78% of sales, within non-dairy, on-the-go sales equate to just 1.9% of total sales.”
MCD&T’s range includes Mars Vegan, Galaxy Vegan and Bounty Vegan in 250ml packs.
