Tesco has reported that its Veganuary sales have rocketed thanks to the launch of a new plant-based meal deal.
Meanwhile, in the other major lifestyle switch this month, Dry January, Brits have bought 15 per cent more low or no alcohol beer, cider, wine and spirits than they did a year ago with record demand for low and no beer.
The supermarket says the launch of its largest ever vegan meal deal* has helped demand for its pioneering Wicked Kitchen plant-based range more than double during Veganuary.
Wicked Kitchen was the first plant-based range to launch in partnership with a UK supermarket in 2018.
Among the most popular plant-based foods bought at Tesco this month have been:
- Chilled dairy alternative milk drinks – up by more than 100% on last Veganuary
- Vegan pasta and Vegetable Soups – up by nearly 140%
- Vegan cooked meat alternatives – up by nearly 40%
- Vegan chilled desserts – up by more than 40%
Tesco head of plant-based food innovation, Derek Sarno said, “In the last year we have concentrated on making the best quality plant-based food even more accessible for shoppers by lowering prices.
“The Wicked Kitchen Meal Deal, which is an amazing offer for folks that want to try plant-based for the first time, launched this Veganuary and is testament to that.
“The amount of choice these days is mouth-watering and almost every category within supermarkets now has plant-based options, making it easier than ever for those considering or switching to embracing more Meat-Free days of the week.
“We have introduced more brilliant meat-free alternatives to classic favourites such as our Moq au Vin version of Coq au Vin, a vegan BLT sandwich, a Kickin’ Cauli Katsu Curry and even our non-dairy Wicked Tiramisu.”
Meanwhile, Dry January at Tesco saw record demand for low and no alcohol beer as well as very strong demand for sparkling wine.
Demand for low and no alcohol beer and cider was at its strongest ever in Dry January with sales up by nearly 30% on the same event last year. And demand for sparkling wine soared by more than 40% on the previous year.
Popular low and no alcohol products have been:
- Nozeco Spumante Alcohol Free – demand up by more than 200% on last Dry January
- Gordons 0.0% - sales contributed to more than a third of all no and low alcohol spirit sales
- Craft lager Lucky Saint – demand up 100% on last year
Tesco Category Buying Manager for Beer and Cider, Marianne Aitken said, “Interestingly, this year it was low and no beer and cider which saw the highest demand – a reversal on Dry January 2021 when wine and spirit alternatives were the most popular.
“Those high sales were encouraged by the huge popularity of Lucky Saint craft lager and also the exclusive listing of Corona Cero at our stores.”