Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Latest Stories

'Rise in healthy eating as shoppers increase spend on fresh, chilled food'

Woman shops for fresh vegetables in supermarket, reflecting shift toward healthier food choices.
iStock image
Key Summary
     
  • Total Till sales growth increases, thanks to warmer weather enabling al fresco dining and Father’s Day boost.
  • In-store visits grew (+4.5%) compared to online sales
  • Shoppers also chose healthier snacks over sweets 

Shoppers are spending more on fresh and chilled foods, indicating a shift of spend towards a more healthy and nutritious diet, shows an industry report released today (June 25).

Total Till sales growth increased at UK supermarkets (+3.8 per cent) in the last four weeks ending 14th June 2025, up from (+3 per cent) recorded in May, according to new data released today by NielsenIQ (NIQ).


NIQ data also shows a continued effort by shoppers to find the best prices and promotions with in-store visits (+4.5 per cent) growing ahead of online (+1.5 per cent). However, the average spend per visit fell (-2.5 per cent) to £18.61; a trend seen throughout 2025 as shoppers continue to hunt for savings. 

The uplift in sales is likely due to warmer weather facilitating al fresco and at-home dining, as well as a sunny Father’s Day encouraging shoppers to celebrate with family. However, waning consumer confidence and continuing inflation means UK shoppers are still shopping with caution as unit growths were down -0.7 per cent.

Despite this NIQ data shows a shift in shoppers’ diets towards healthier eating habits. The largest category shifts were big pot yogurts (+29 per cent) followed by frozen fruit (+21 per cent); vitamins (+15 per cent) and healthier snacks such as rice cakes (+18 per cent) and sushi (+15 per cent) which all saw an increase in sales over the past four weeks. 

In fact, household health is a paramount concern.

With nearly nine out of ten UK households stating that looking after their health is important or very important, this mindset naturally channels consumer spending toward healthier, fresher options.

 Retail market Graph  

This aligns with findings from NIQ’s Global State of Health & Wellness report, which revealed that 66% of UK shoppers are actively making choices to improve their health and wellness. 

A closer look at healthy eating habits reveals that limiting processed foods is now the single most important aspect for many. 44 per cent of consumers are actively working to reduce their intake of processed items. In addition, 36 per cent are making a concerted effort to eat five portions of fruits and vegetables each day. 

Mike Watkins, Head of Retailer and Business Insight at NielsenIQ, says, “In the first six weeks of summer 2025, shoppers have spent £700m more and 75% (£521m) of that has been in fresh and chilled foods. This perhaps indicates the shift of spend not just towards convenient fresh food options but towards a more healthy and nutritious diet.”

Watkins adds: “A sustained period of summer weather through to the first week of September would be helpful to the industry as this would tip the balance back to positive unit growth.”