UK shoppers kick off 2026 with a healthy shopping spree, prioritizing fruit, yoghurt, and high-fibre products as they strive for their New Year's health goals. According to recent data from Worldpanel by Numerator, annual grocery inflation has decreased to 4% in the four weeks ending January 25, providing some relief for shoppers.
Fresh produce has emerged as a top priority, with sales volumes of fresh fruit increasing by 6% and dried pulses up 5%, while poultry, fish, and chilled yoghurt also saw significant year-on-year growth. Cottage cheese sales skyrocketed by 50%, making it a staple in over 2.8 million households.
Shoppers are increasingly seeking out high-protein foods (22%) and high-fibre products (25%), indicating a shift towards more balanced and achievable approaches to healthy eating. While interest in seasonal diet trends like Veganuary has waned, shoppers are focusing on familiar staples that support their health goals.
Waitrose reported that Dry January was not as "dry" this year, with customers embracing 'Damp Monday', adding more wines, beers, and spirits back into their shopping baskets. Sales of own-label items have reached a record high, accounting for 52.2% of grocery spending, driven by shoppers seeking value and budget-friendly options.
Promotions have also become more prominent, with sales up 10.9% year on year, the fastest growth since October 2024. Functional drinks, marketed as energy-boosting or gut health-focused, saw a significant surge in popularity, with over 11% of households purchasing them. These premium beverages cost nearly four times more than regular soft drinks, suggesting that shoppers are willing to invest in wellness.
Online grocery shopping continues to thrive, with Ocado's sales up 14.1% and Lidl recording the fastest growth among physical chains, at 10.1%. Other supermarkets, including Sainsbury's and Tesco, have also seen significant sales increases and market share gains.
Fresh produce has emerged as a top priority, with sales volumes of fresh fruit increasing by 6% and dried pulses up 5%, while poultry, fish, and chilled yoghurt also saw significant year-on-year growth. Cottage cheese sales skyrocketed by 50%, making it a staple in over 2.8 million households.
Shoppers are increasingly seeking out high-protein foods (22%) and high-fibre products (25%), indicating a shift towards more balanced and achievable approaches to healthy eating. While interest in seasonal diet trends like Veganuary has waned, shoppers are focusing on familiar staples that support their health goals.
Waitrose reported that Dry January was not as "dry" this year, with customers embracing 'Damp Monday', adding more wines, beers, and spirits back into their shopping baskets. Sales of own-label items have reached a record high, accounting for 52.2% of grocery spending, driven by shoppers seeking value and budget-friendly options.
Promotions have also become more prominent, with sales up 10.9% year on year, the fastest growth since October 2024. Functional drinks, marketed as energy-boosting or gut health-focused, saw a significant surge in popularity, with over 11% of households purchasing them. These premium beverages cost nearly four times more than regular soft drinks, suggesting that shoppers are willing to invest in wellness.
Online grocery shopping continues to thrive, with Ocado's sales up 14.1% and Lidl recording the fastest growth among physical chains, at 10.1%. Other supermarkets, including Sainsbury's and Tesco, have also seen significant sales increases and market share gains.
. As someone who's been around for a while, I've seen the importance of taking care of oneself. All these fancy health trends might come and go, but at the end of the day, it's about making sustainable choices that work for you. And let's be real, shopping online can be a lifesaver when you're short on time or just don't feel like braving the supermarket queues 
. The fact that shoppers are opting for own-label items and promotions suggests they're getting smart about their budgets too 
. It's all about finding balance and making progress, not trying to follow every new diet trend that comes along 
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Shoppers are really getting serious about their health goals this year! Fresh produce is on top of everyone's list, no surprise there 
But I'm loving the fact that high-fibre products are gaining traction - we need more gut-friendly foods in our lives 
And I'm intrigued by the 'Damp Monday' trend... who knew people would be craving wine and spirits again 
? Online shopping is still killing it, too! It's interesting to see which chains are leading the charge 
I'm loving how UK shoppers are prioritizing health over trends! The stats on high-fibre products (25%) and protein-rich foods (22%) are insane! 
It means shoppers can finally breathe a sigh of relief and focus on getting fit without breaking the bank. And let's be real... functional drinks might not be for everyone, but hey, if it gets people drinking more water and eating better, who cares? 
Online shopping continues to dominate, too - no surprise there! 
With Ocado's sales up 14.1%, I think we're just scratching the surface of what online grocery can do for us.
6% increase in fresh fruit sales
50% spike in cottage cheese sales (yay, cheesy goodness!)
10.9% growth in promotions - and we all love a good deal! 
So I think its pretty cool how UK shoppers are getting into healthy eating habits this new year 
It makes sense too that people want to invest in their health (the functional drinks market is growing a lot) 
who wouldn't want a little bit of wine or beer on a Monday night 
and sales of own-label items are up a ton! 
they're always innovating and offering great deals 
anyway back to the shopping habits, I'm loving that shoppers are getting more into high-fibre foods and cottage cheese is a great example of a staple that's becoming super popular 
it's like they're saying 'yeah i know a healthy life isn't cheap, but it's worth it' 
ocado and lidl are killing it 
, and I'm not surprised with Lidl's growth too - they're always been one of my faves for affordable eats.
. It's clear that shoppers are willing to splurge a bit for the sake of their well-being. But let's be real, who can afford to break the bank on fancy energy-boosting beverages every week? 
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. Bring on 2026! 
also, what's with the 'Damp Monday' thing? kinda funny that people are embracing a little more booze this year 
I'm loving how UK shoppers are prioritizing their health in 2026! Fresh produce is on top of everyone's list, and it's awesome to see cottage cheese flying off shelves 
Online shopping is still killing it, and I love how supermarkets are upping their game with promotions and value options 
. the fact that sales of own-label items have gone up so much is a bonus for budget-conscious shoppers too 
I'm so sick of all these health trends coming around every January... like, can't we just eat a bloody pizza or something? 
Cottage cheese is literally the most basic thing you can buy at the supermarket, who thought that was a good idea for sales to skyrocket by 50%?! 
And what's up with everyone going back to drinking wine on Mondays? Is this some kind of joke now? 
I mean, who thought paying nearly four times more for a drink was a good idea? 
But what I find interesting is how shoppers are moving away from those trendy seasonal diets and opting for more balanced staples that actually work. It's all about finding that middle ground between indulging and nourishing the body, right? 
but like im all about tryna stay hydrated so i guess that's a win 
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