UK-based grocery retailer Co-op introduced its plant-based private label 'GRO' line earlier this year.
"The vegan range meets the growing demand for vegetarian and plant-based alternatives, as exclusive research from the Co-op’s Ethical Consumerism report" revealed how "vegetarian product sales have risen by over 12 percent and non-dairy milk alternatives have seen a 14 percent uplift" in just 12 months.
Co-op's plant-based GRO range consists of vegetable-based stew and curry bowls, vegan snack wraps, salads and pasta dishes along with a wide range of meat-free meatball, hot dog, burger and sausage alternatives -- made from protein-enriched ingredients like mushrooms, beets, onions, soya, pea proteins and more. Additionally, the range also includes dessert varieties like vegan chocolate cupcakes, and rice toffee pudding treats.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Plant-based Protein
- Companies can innovate by incorporating protein-enriched non-meat ingredients into their products
- Vegetarian Options
- With vegetarian product sales on the rise companies should explore adding vegetarian choices to their offerings
- Non-dairy Milk Alternatives
- Companies can innovate by offering non-dairy milk alternatives to cater to the growing demand for plant-based options
Where This Applies
- Grocery
- Supermarkets and grocery stores can improve sales by offering plant-based private labels products to their customers
- Foodservice
- Restaurants can cater to the growing demand for plant-based options by including vegetarian and vegan dishes on their menu
- Dairy
- Dairy companies can innovate by expanding their non-dairy milk offerings to include more options and flavors
