FDBusiness.com

Kantar Worldpanel’s latest ranking of the UK’s most chosen brands finds half of the top 10 brands in growth. Warburtons remains the UK’s most chosen brand overall, chosen 544 million times at the supermarket shelves during the course of the year. Bought on average 23 times a year, Warburtons is the nation’s most frequently purchased brand by a considerable margin.

The Brand Footprint ranking, now in its sixth year, measures Consumer Reach Points (CRPs) – to identify the everyday grocery brands chosen by the most shoppers the most often.

Second-placed Heinz, chosen 365 million times across its portfolio including sauces, soups and pastas, was bought by 88% of British households – more than any other brand. The two fastest CRP growers in the top 10, McVitie’s and Cadbury Dairy Milk, both were chosen 3% more times than during the previous year. These two brands, alongside Coca-Cola, up by 2%, demonstrate that consumers are still looking for sweet treats, despite the April 2018 introduction of the sugar levy.

Brand Footprint also reports on the most chosen brands within five key grocery sectors. Number one brand overall, Warburtons leads the food ranking too. Other first place positions are taken by Coca-Cola (beverages), Müller (dairy), Fairy (homecare) and Colgate (health and beauty).

The UK is a challenging market for brands, with retailers’ own label products taking half of all value sales for the first time this year. While own label sales increased by £3.3 billion, branded sales rose by only £0.8 billion, a result of retailers focusing on lines carrying their own name.

Fraser McKevitt, head of retail and consumer insight at Kantar Worldpanel, comments: “In a challenging environment, it’s more important than ever before to listen to the consumer and adapt to what they need. If consumers are given a reason to believe, they will choose the branded product.  If they aren’t, they’ll choose the cheapest. It’s fantastic to see in this Brand Footprint ranking great brands who continue to innovate and find new ways to make consumers want to choose them.”

McKevitt continues: “The biggest gains inside the top 10 and beyond have been made by brands innovating in ways currently most relevant to consumers, making their lives healthier, happier and easier.”

Healthier

Across the five FMCG sectors health can mean different things to consumers, whether that is lower in sugar, natural, or free from named ingredients. Beverage brands increasing CRPs, Fanta (+37%) and Vimto (+14%) successfully reformulated to avoid this year’s sugar levy. Danone’s Light and Free saw an increase of 141% in this year’s dairy ranking, while Alpro was up 18%. Environmentally aware and natural homecare brands Ecover (+25%) and Method (+47%) also became more popular.

Happier

Fourth-placed McVitie’s (+3%), balanced treating with a nod to health with the successful launch of the Digestive Thins biscuit. Fevertree’s phenomenal increase of 137% came through the popularity of gin and shoppers’ willingness to pay for premium mixer drinks. In health and beauty, face masks offered a quick beauty boost contributing to growth for both Nivea (+4%) and L’Oreal Paris (+1%).

Easier

Consumers want products that make their lives easy, and are quick to prepare, consume or use.  Warburtons’ Toastie Pockets helped the overall brand grow by providing an easy alternative to sandwiches. Oats brand Quaker innovated to provide for quick ‘on the go’ breakfasts, resulting in 4% growth. Beverage brand Ribena enjoyed a 6% growth aided by its minis range, made the right size for lunchboxes. Homecare brand Regina (+18%) launched the Regina Wish product, with handy-sized sheets for every spill.