As the new year gets underway, UK shoppers have embraced healthier lifestyles, leading to a surge in fresh produce and home-cooked meals. Could this be linked to ambitious New Year's resolutions? Absolutely—because nothing says "new year, new me" like a fridge full of kale that may or may not survive February!
A Surge in Fresh Produce Sales
In January, over 10% of grocery spending went to fruits and vegetables, totalling £1.2 billion—a £193 million increase from December (Kantar, 2025). Supermarkets have responded with expanded fresh, organic, and budget-friendly options to keep shoppers on track (or at least make them feel better about their choices).
The Rise of Scratch Cooking
More households are cooking from scratch, with nearly 50% doing so most days (NielsenIQ, 2025). Fresh essentials like gravy (+28%) and dough (+18%) saw notable increases, suggesting a rise in homemade meals—though whether this enthusiasm lasts past winter remains to be seen.
Supermarkets and Health-Conscious Promotions
Supermarkets boosted promotions on plant-based and whole-food items, encouraging shoppers to stay on the health kick. Discounters like Lidl and Aldi have expanded budget-friendly nutritious options, while Ocado reports soaring searches for health-related products (Kantar, 2025).
Will the Trend Last?
While enthusiasm for healthy eating often fades post-January, rising costs and health awareness might keep the trend alive. With continued supermarket support and education, this shift could outlast the usual resolution slump—or at least until the Easter chocolate hits the shelves!
Image by Schantalao on Freepik
