Project Tea UK 2019, World Coffee Portal’s annual analysis of the UK’s opportune yet challenging out-of-home tea segment, estimates 3.6 million hot tea beverages are served across the UK’s specialised coffee shop segment every week, comprising 4.4% of the average UK coffee shop sales mix
An estimated 3.6 million hot tea beverages are served out-of-home in the UK every week, recording annual sales of over £302m.
Allegra reveals tea segment revenues of £302m in 2018, an annual increase of 11.1%, and forecasts UK out-of-home tea sales will reach £329m for the year 2019, representing annual growth of 8.9%.
Premium teas could reverse poor value perceptions
While UK industry leaders remain positive in their outlook for out-of-home tea sales, 37% of tea drinkers surveyed perceive tea out-of-home as poor value-for-money. This indicates more work is needed to boost consumers’ estimtion of tea served in cafés.
Introducing a premium range of loose-leaf teas can be an effective strategy to generate value-driven narratives around provenance, preparation and appreciation. This approach could also catalyse interest from the 31% of UK consumers surveyed who preference loose-leaf tea over tea bags.
Further demonstrating the growing importance of loose-leaf tea, major UK coffee chains including Coffee#1, Benugo, and Boston Tea Party have contributed to the market trend towards tea premiumisation with scaled loose-leaf offerings.
Operators should also seek to expand their tea ranges to boost sales. Twenty-one percent of UK tea drinkers surveyed purchased one of either a green, herbal or fruit tea variety on their last café visit.
Consumers taking more tea at independent cafés
Forty-two percent of tea drinkers surveyed are more likely to favour tea purchased at independent coffee shops versus branded chains (22%), with a quarter making their last out-of-home tea purchase at an independent. This dynamic is sustained by a desire to support local businesses and the perception that independents offer greater attention to detail in terms of tea preparation and service.
Reading the tea leaves
Sixty-one percent of UK industry leaders surveyed describe the short-term sales prospects for tea out-of-home as positive, a 6% reduction on the previous year. With over 80% of UK consumers anticipating no change in the frequency of their out-of-home tea consumption over the next 12 months, operators must focus on innovation to challenge tea menu indifference. Sixty-one percent of consumers surveyed indicate better quality beverages would encourage them to drink more tea out-of-home, while an increased menu range would compel 40% to do so.
Commenting on the report findings, Allegra Founder and CEO Jeffrey Young said:
“Tea is yet another category of the UK hospitality that is seeing a shift toward premiumisation. Premium teas provide further opportunities for foodservice operators to increase average spend and increase the breadth of their customer base. However, they to need to communicate value-add by inspiring and educating customers on the true benefits of premium tea.”
Project Tea UK 2019 is World Coffee Portal's annual analysis of the UK's opportune yet challenging out-of-home tea segment. Our research combines the latest market data, industry insight and an in-depth consumer study to provide the most detailed snapshot of the UK tea market available.
*The specialist UK coffee shop segment, comprising branded coffee chains and independent coffee shops, is worth an estimated £6.8 billion and totals 15,201 outlets as of December 2018