United Kingdom Confectionery Market Size and Share

United Kingdom Confectionery Market (2025 - 2030)
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United Kingdom Confectionery Market Analysis by Mordor Intelligence

The United Kingdom confectionery market is anticipated to grow from USD 16.98 billion in 2025 to USD 22.06 billion by 2030, reflecting a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.37%. This growth is supported by increasing demand for premium products, a shift toward healthier product formulations, and consistent interest in seasonal gifting, despite challenges like rising raw material costs and stricter High in Fat, Salt, or Sugar (HFSS) regulations. The sharp 80% rise in cocoa prices in 2024 impacted profit margins, but manufacturers adapted by reformulating recipes, diversifying supply chains, and carefully managing price increases. Functional sugar confectionery, such as vitamin-enriched or collagen gummies, is becoming popular among health-conscious consumers, driving additional impulse purchases. Online retail, particularly through direct-to-consumer models, is expanding faster than traditional channels, while supermarkets stay competitive by offering click-and-collect services and adjusting aisles to meet HFSS compliance. Competition remains strong, with large multinational companies leveraging their scale and omnichannel strategies, while smaller, agile players focus on opportunities in plant-based, ethical, and personalized products.

Key Report Takeaways

  • By type, chocolate led with 70.12% revenue share in 2024 while sugar confectionery is forecast to advance at a 5.93% CAGR to 2030.
  • By packaging, single-serve held 68.53% of the United Kingdom confectionery market share in 2024, whereas multipacks record the highest projected CAGR at 5.73% through 2030.
  • By price tier, premium products commanded 30.88% share of the United Kingdom confectionery market size in 2024 and are expected to climb at a 6.21% CAGR until 2030.
  • By distribution channel, supermarkets/hypermarket retained 44.73% share in 2024, and online retail stores are set to grow 6.42% annually during the forecast period.

Segment Analysis

By Type: Chocolate Dominance Meets Functional Innovation

The sugar confectionery market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.93% through 2030, surpassing the growth of the chocolate market, which is anticipated to hold a significant 70.12% market share in 2024. This growth is largely driven by the increasing demand for functional gummy formats, including collagen-infused, vitamin-enriched, and probiotic variants. These innovative products effectively combine the appeal of confectionery with the benefits of wellness supplements, catering to consumers who are looking for indulgent yet health-conscious options. Additionally, hard candy and mints are gaining traction due to their portion-controlled servings and convenience for on-the-go consumption. Meanwhile, pastilles, gummies, and jellies are leveraging nostalgic flavors and unique textures to create new opportunities for consumption and engagement.

In the chocolate segment, dark chocolate is steadily increasing its market share, supported by exemptions from High Fat, Sugar, and Salt (HFSS) regulations and its perceived health benefits, particularly its antioxidant content. Despite this shift, milk and white chocolate continue to dominate the mass market due to their widespread appeal and familiarity among consumers. Furthermore, snack bars, which are categorized into cereal, energy, protein, and fruit-and-nut variants, are playing a pivotal role in shaping the evolving landscape of the confectionery market by addressing diverse consumer preferences and nutritional needs.

United Kingdom Confectionery Market: Market Share by Type
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By Packaging Type: Multipacks Gain Share Through Value Perception

Single-serve packaging accounted for 68.53% of 2024 revenue, reflecting its continued dominance in the market. However, multipacks are projected to grow at a rate of 5.73%, as retailers increasingly focus on basket-size economics to drive sales, and consumers prioritize value in response to rising inflation. Multipacks provide a cost advantage, reducing per-unit costs by 15-25% compared to single-serve options. This makes them particularly attractive to families and budget-conscious shoppers who prefer to stock their pantries rather than make frequent impulse purchases. Despite this growth potential, regulations related to High Fat, Sugar, and Salt (HFSS) content restrict volume-based promotions on qualifying products. These restrictions have limited the expansion of multipacks in mass-tier chocolate and sugar confectionery categories, while premium and exempt product categories continue to benefit.

Sustainability considerations are also playing a significant role in reshaping packaging formats. Companies are increasingly adopting innovative solutions to reduce environmental impact. For example, Mondelez's Crunchie multipack trial with Tesco demonstrated a successful approach to sustainable packaging. By eliminating outer plastic wrappers and using recyclable cardboard sleeves, the initiative achieved a 60% reduction in plastic usage. This effort resulted in the deployment of 1.8 million units in 2024, highlighting the growing importance of environmentally friendly practices in meeting consumer expectations and regulatory demands.

By Price Tier: Premium Segment Outpaces Mass Market

Premium confectionery is expected to grow at a rate of 6.21% through 2030, outpacing the mass segment's growth rate of 4.93%, even though it is projected to account for only 30.88% of 2024 revenue. This growth reflects consumers' willingness to spend more on products with traceable cocoa, artisanal production methods, and ethical sourcing practices that align with sustainability values. Brands like Lindt with its Excellence range, Hotel Chocolat with its experiential retail model, and Tony's Chocolonely with its focus on slave-free chocolate exemplify strategies that help maintain pricing stability despite fluctuations in commodity costs and regulatory challenges. Additionally, dark chocolate with cocoa content of 50% or higher benefits from exemptions under High Fat, Sugar, and Salt (HFSS) regulations, allowing unrestricted promotional placement and reinforcing its premium image associated with health and sophistication.

On the other hand, mass-tier products are facing pressure from rising raw material costs, which reduce profit margins, and HFSS restrictions, which limit promotional opportunities and impulse purchases that have traditionally driven sales. To address these challenges, companies like Mondelez and Mars are expanding their mid-tier offerings. These "premium-light" products include features such as single-origin cocoa or reduced sugar content, offering an enhanced experience without the full price tag of ultra-premium brands. This approach aims to attract consumers looking to upgrade from mass-market products while remaining affordable for those unwilling to pay 50-100% more for high-end premium options.

United Kingdom Confectionery Market: Market Share by Price Tier
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By Distribution Channel: Online Retail Disrupts Traditional Hierarchies

Supermarkets and hypermarkets accounted for 44.73% of sales in 2024. In contrast, online retail stores are projected to grow at a rate of 6.42%, the highest among all distribution channels. This growth is driven by subscription-based models, direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands, and the increasing adoption of online grocery shopping. E-commerce facilitates access to niche products, such as unique flavors, customized packaging, and premium imports, which are often unavailable in physical stores. It also enables dynamic pricing strategies and targeted promotions to enhance customer conversion rates. Platforms like Amazon and Ocado play a crucial role for new and emerging brands by providing fulfillment infrastructure that lowers upfront costs and accelerates market entry. Online retail sales in the United Kingdom increased by 2.0% month-on-month and 3.7% year-on-year in July 2025, accounting for 27.8% of total retail sales during that period [3]Source: Office for National Statistics, "Retail sales, Great Britain: July 2025," ons.gov.uk.

Convenience stores benefit from their accessibility and ability to cater to impulse purchases and on-the-go consumption needs. However, their product range is often limited due to restricted shelf space and higher logistics costs per unit. Other distribution channels, such as specialty retailers, vending machines, and foodservice outlets, collectively account for approximately 10-15% of sales. These channels thrive on niche offerings and experiential retail formats. For example, Hotel Chocolat's cafes combine product sales with immersive brand experiences, creating a unique value proposition for customers.

Geography Analysis

The United Kingdom confectionery market shows distinct regional differences in consumer preferences. London and the Southeast contribute significantly to premium and plant-based confectionery sales, driven by higher disposable incomes and greater awareness of health and wellness trends. On the other hand, Scotland and Northern Ireland lean towards traditional chocolate and sugar confectionery, supported by heritage brands and seasonal gifting occasions that emphasize nostalgia and family-oriented consumption.

Urban areas are at the forefront of e-commerce growth, with online retail accounting for approximately 12-15% of confectionery sales in metropolitan regions, compared to 7-8% in rural areas. This difference reflects variations in delivery infrastructure and the adoption of digital platforms. Seasonal consumption patterns further highlight these regional distinctions: Christmas represents 25-30% of annual confectionery sales, with boxed chocolates and sharing tins being popular for gifting. Easter focuses on novelty eggs and seasonal shapes that appeal to children. Valentine's Day and Mother's Day drive demand for premium boxed chocolates and personalized products, with London and other urban centers reporting higher per-capita spending during these occasions.

Regional tastes also influence the product mix. Scotland shows a preference for tablet (a crumbly fudge), while Northern Ireland favors Tayto chocolate bars, reflecting the strong presence of localized heritage brands that resist national standardization. Additionally, the United Kingdom's multicultural population is increasing demand for halal-certified (permissible under Islamic law) and culturally specific confectionery, such as Turkish delight and Indian sweets. These products cater to diaspora communities and broaden the appeal of the category beyond traditional chocolate and sugar confectionery.

Competitive Landscape

The United Kingdom confectionery market shows moderate consolidation, with Mondelez, Mars, Nestlé, and Ferrero together accounting for approximately 55-60% of revenue. However, these companies face ongoing competition from regional specialists and emerging brands that are tapping into opportunities in ethical sourcing, plant-based products, and direct-to-consumer (DTC) channels. Established players rely on their scale advantages—such as global procurement, diverse brand portfolios, and strong retailer relationships—to manage raw material price fluctuations and invest in sustainability and product reformulation. Despite these strengths, their focus on the mass market makes them susceptible to high fat, sugar, and salt (HFSS) regulations and changing consumer preferences that increasingly favor premium and functional alternatives.

Smaller competitors, such as Tony's Chocolonely and Hotel Chocolat, stand out by emphasizing strategies like promoting slave-free cocoa and offering experiential retail experiences. These approaches allow them to charge price premiums of 20-40% and maintain margins despite fluctuations in commodity prices. However, their limited distribution networks pose challenges to scaling volume growth. The competitive environment is increasingly driven by omnichannel integration, with established players acquiring or partnering with e-commerce specialists to safeguard market share, while digital-native brands leverage data analytics to improve targeting and reduce customer acquisition costs.

Regulatory compliance is becoming a key challenge in the market. HFSS nutrient profiling and extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes introduce fixed costs that favor larger players with economies of scale. At the same time, these regulations open doors for reformulation specialists and packaging innovators who can develop compliant solutions. The market outlook suggests that mid-sized brands lacking scale or differentiation are likely to face margin pressures. In contrast, premium and mass-market leaders are expected to strengthen their positions through mergers and acquisitions, innovation, and effective omnichannel strategies.

United Kingdom Confectionery Industry Leaders

  1. Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Sprüngli AG

  2. Ferrero International SA

  3. Mars Incorporated

  4. Mondelēz International Inc.

  5. Nestlé SA

  6. *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
UK Confectionery Market Concentration
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Recent Industry Developments

  • September 2025: Walkers Chocolates launched a recyclable paper wrapper co-created with UPM Specialty Papers (United Paper Mills) and EvoPak, supporting sustainable packaging goals and reducing plastic usage across major UK retailers and international markets.
  • February 2025: Nestlé has launched KitKat tablets in Europe, Canada, and South Africa, offering double chocolate, hazelnut, and salted caramel flavors. The innovation targets growing demand for indulgent, shareable chocolate formats, with production centered in Sofia, Bulgaria.
  • October 2024: Nestlé launched a trial of paper-based packaging for its Quality Street sharing tub at Tesco, deploying over 200,000 units during the Christmas season to test consumer acceptance of sustainable materials that eliminate plastic while maintaining product freshness and shelf appeal.

Table of Contents for United Kingdom Confectionery Industry Report

1. INTRODUCTION

  • 1.1 Study Assumptions and Market Definition
  • 1.2 Scope of the Study

2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

4. MARKET LANDSCAPE

  • 4.1 Market Overview
  • 4.2 Market Drivers
    • 4.2.1 Premiumization and demand for luxury chocolates and artisanal sweets
    • 4.2.2 Health-conscious consumer trends
    • 4.2.3 Plant-based and vegan options gaining traction
    • 4.2.4 Personalized and bespoke confectionery
    • 4.2.5 Gifting culture and holiday promotional campaigns
    • 4.2.6 Expansion of e-commerce and online retail platforms
  • 4.3 Market Restraints
    • 4.3.1 Growing health concerns about sugar, obesity, and dental issues
    • 4.3.2 Rising raw material costs
    • 4.3.3 Complexity of regulatory compliance
    • 4.3.4 Climate change effects on supply of raw materials
  • 4.4 Supply Chain Analysis
  • 4.5 Regulatory Outlook
  • 4.6 Porter’s Five Forces
    • 4.6.1 Threat of New Entrants
    • 4.6.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers/Consumers
    • 4.6.3 Bargaining Power of Suppliers
    • 4.6.4 Threat of Substitute Products
    • 4.6.5 Intensity of Competitive Rivalry

5. MARKET SIZE AND GROWTH FORECASTS (VALUE AND VOLUME)

  • 5.1 By Type
    • 5.1.1 Chocolate
    • 5.1.1.1 Dark Chocolate
    • 5.1.1.2 Milk and White Chocolate
    • 5.1.2 Sugar Confectionery
    • 5.1.2.1 Hard Candy
    • 5.1.2.2 Mints
    • 5.1.2.3 Pastilles, Gummies, and Jellies
    • 5.1.2.4 Toffees and Nougats
    • 5.1.2.5 Lollipops
    • 5.1.2.6 Other
    • 5.1.3 Snack Bar
    • 5.1.3.1 Cereal Bar
    • 5.1.3.2 Energy Bar
    • 5.1.3.3 Protein Bar
    • 5.1.3.4 Fruit and Nut Bar
    • 5.1.4 Gums
    • 5.1.4.1 Chewing Gum
    • 5.1.4.1.1 Sugar Chewing Gum
    • 5.1.4.1.2 Sugar-free Chewing Gum
    • 5.1.4.2 Bubble Gum
  • 5.2 By Packaging Type
    • 5.2.1 Single-serve
    • 5.2.2 Multipacks
  • 5.3 By Price Tier
    • 5.3.1 Mass
    • 5.3.2 Premium
  • 5.4 By Distribution Channel
    • 5.4.1 Supermarket/Hypermarket
    • 5.4.2 Online Retail Store
    • 5.4.3 Convenience Store
    • 5.4.4 Other Distribution Channels

6. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

  • 6.1 Market Concentration
  • 6.2 Strategic Moves
  • 6.3 Market Ranking Analysis
  • 6.4 Company Profiles (includes Global-level Overview, Market-level Overview, Core Segments, Financials (if available), Strategic Information, Market Rank/Share, Products and Services, Recent Developments)
    • 6.4.1 Mondelez International, Inc.
    • 6.4.2 Mars, Incorporated
    • 6.4.3 Nestlé S.A.
    • 6.4.4 Ferrero International S.A.
    • 6.4.5 Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Sprüngli AG
    • 6.4.6 Barry Callebaut AG
    • 6.4.7 Haribo Holding GmbH & Co. KG
    • 6.4.8 Perfetti Van Melle Group B.V.
    • 6.4.9 Swizzels Matlow Limited
    • 6.4.10 Yildiz Holding A.S.
    • 6.4.11 Hotel Chocolat Group plc
    • 6.4.12 Tony’s Chocolonely Nederland B.V.
    • 6.4.13 Alfred Ritter GmbH & Co. KG
    • 6.4.14 August Storck KG
    • 6.4.15 Arcor S.A.I.C.
    • 6.4.16 Confiserie Leonidas S.A.
    • 6.4.17 Charbonnel et Walker Ltd.
    • 6.4.18 Pecan Deluxe Candy Company
    • 6.4.19 Moo Free Ltd
    • 6.4.20 Schreiber Foods Inc.

7. MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AND FUTURE OUTLOOK

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United Kingdom Confectionery Market Report Scope

Chocolate, Gums, Snack Bar, Sugar Confectionery are covered as segments by Confections. Convenience Store, Online Retail Store, Supermarket/Hypermarket, Others are covered as segments by Distribution Channel.
By Type
Chocolate Dark Chocolate
Milk and White Chocolate
Sugar Confectionery Hard Candy
Mints
Pastilles, Gummies, and Jellies
Toffees and Nougats
Lollipops
Other
Snack Bar Cereal Bar
Energy Bar
Protein Bar
Fruit and Nut Bar
Gums Chewing Gum Sugar Chewing Gum
Sugar-free Chewing Gum
Bubble Gum
By Packaging Type
Single-serve
Multipacks
By Price Tier
Mass
Premium
By Distribution Channel
Supermarket/Hypermarket
Online Retail Store
Convenience Store
Other Distribution Channels
By Type Chocolate Dark Chocolate
Milk and White Chocolate
Sugar Confectionery Hard Candy
Mints
Pastilles, Gummies, and Jellies
Toffees and Nougats
Lollipops
Other
Snack Bar Cereal Bar
Energy Bar
Protein Bar
Fruit and Nut Bar
Gums Chewing Gum Sugar Chewing Gum
Sugar-free Chewing Gum
Bubble Gum
By Packaging Type Single-serve
Multipacks
By Price Tier Mass
Premium
By Distribution Channel Supermarket/Hypermarket
Online Retail Store
Convenience Store
Other Distribution Channels
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Market Definition

  • Milk and White Chocolate - Milk chocolates is a solid chocolate made with milk (in the form of either milk powder, liquid milk, or condensed milk) and cocoa solids. White chocolate is made from cocoa butter and milk and contains no cocoa solids whatsoever. The scope includes regular chocolates, low-sugar, and sugar-free variants
  • Toffees & Nougats - Toffees include hard, chewy, and small or one-bite candies marketed with labels as toffee or toffee-like confectionery. Nougat is a chewy confection with almond, sugar, and egg white as a basic ingredient; and it originated in Europe and Middle East countries.
  • Cereals Bars - A snack composed of breakfast cereal that has been compressed into a bar shape and is held together with a form of edible adhesive. The scope includes snack bars made with cereals such as rice, oats, corn, etc. mixed with a binding syrup. These also include products labeled as cereal bars, cereal treat bars, or grain bars.
  • Chewing Gum - This is a preparation for chewing, usually made of flavored and sweetened chicle or such substitutes as polyvinyl acetate. The types of chewing gums included in the scope are sugar-chewing gums and sugar-free chewing gums
Keyword Definition
Dark Chocolate Dark chocolate is a form of chocolate containing cocoa solids and cocoa butter without the milk.
White Chocolate White chocolate is the type of chocolate containing the highest percentage of milk solids, typically around or over 30 percent.
Milk Chocolate Milk chocolate is made from dark chocolate that has a low cocoa solid content and higher sugar content, plus a milk product.
Hard Candy A candy made of sugar and corn syrup boiled without crystallizing.
Toffees A hard, chewy, often brown sweet that is made from sugar boiled with butter.
Nougats A chewy or brittle candy containing almonds or other nuts and sometimes fruit.
Cereal bar A cereal bar is a bar-shaped food product, made by pressing cereals and usually dried fruit or berries, which are in most cases held together by glucose syrup.
Protein bar Protein bars are nutrition bars that contain a high proportion of protein to carbohydrates/fats.
Fruit & Nut bar These are often based on dates with other dried fruit and nut additions and, in some cases, flavorings.
NCA The National Confectioners Association is an American trade organization that promotes chocolate, candy, gum and mints, and the companies that make these treats.
CGMP Current good manufacturing practices are those conforming to the guidelines recommended by relevant agencies.
Unstandardized foods Unstandardized foods are those that do not have a standard of identity or that deviate from a prescribed standard in any manner.
GI The glycemic index (GI) is a way of ranking carbohydrate-containing foods based on how slowly or quickly they are digested and increase blood glucose levels over a period of time
Skimmed milk powder Skimmed milk powder is obtained by removing water from pasteurized skim milk by spray-drying.
Flavanols Flavanols are a group of compounds found in cocoa, tea, apples, and many other plant-based foods and beverages.
WPC Whey protein concentrate- the substance obtained by the removal of sufficient nonprotein constituents from pasteurized whey so that the finished dry product contains greater than 25% protein.
LDL Low density Lipoprotein- the bad cholesterol
HDL High density Lipoprotein- the good cholesterol
BHT butylated Hydroxytoluene is a lab-made chemical that is added to foods as a preservative.
Carrageenan Carrageenan is an additive used to thicken, emulsify, and preserve foods and drinks.
Free form Not containing certain ingredients, such as gluten, dairy, or sugar.
Cocoa butter It is a fatty substance obtained from cocoa beans, used in the manufacture of confectionery.
Pastellies A type of of Brazilian candy made from sugar, eggs, and milk.
Draggees Small, round candies that are coated with a hard sugar shell
CHOPRABISCO Royal Belgian Association of the chocolate, pralines, biscuit, and confectionery industry- A trade association that represents the Belgian chocolate industry.
European Directive 2000/13 A European Union directive that regulates the labeling of food products
Kakao-Verordnung The German chocolate ordinance, a set of regulations that define what can be labeled as "chocolate" in Germany.
FASFC Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain
Pectin A natural substance that is derived from fruits and vegetables. It is used in confectionery to create a gel-like texture.
Invert sugars A type of sugar that is made up of glucose and fructose.
Emulsifier A substance that helps to mix to liquids that does not mix together.
Anthocyanins A type of flavonoid that is responsible for the red, purple, and blue colors of confectionery.
Functional Foods Foods that have been modified to provide additional health benefits beyond basic nutrition.
Kosher certificate This certification verifies that the ingredients, production process including all machinery, and/or food-service process complies with the standards of Jewish dietary law
Chicory root extract A natural extract from the chicory root that is a good source of fiber, calcium, phosphorous, and folate
RDD Recommended daily dose
Gummies A chewy gelatin-based candy that is often flavored with fruit.
Nutraceuticals Food or dietary supplements that are claimed to have health benefits.
Energy bars Snack bars that are high in carbohydrates and calories are designed to provide energy on the go.
BFSO Belgian Food Safety Organization for the food chain.
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Research Methodology

Mordor Intelligence follows a four-step methodology in all our reports.

  • Step-1: Identify Key Variables: In order to build a robust forecasting methodology, the variables and factors identified in Step 1 are tested against available historical market numbers. Through an iterative process, the variables required for market forecast are set, and the model is built on the basis of these variables.​
  • Step-2: Build a Market Model: Market-size estimations for the forecast years are in nominal terms. Inflation is not a part of the pricing, and the average selling price (ASP) is kept constant throughout the forecast period for each country.​
  • Step-3: Validate and Finalize: In this important step, all market numbers, variables, and analyst calls are validated through an extensive network of primary research experts from the market studied. The respondents are selected across levels and functions to generate a holistic picture of the market studied.​
  • Step-4: Research Outputs: Syndicated Reports, Custom Consulting Assignments, Databases & Subscription Platforms
research-methodology
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