Consumers aged 55 and over could provide confectionery manufacturers targeting the UK children’s market with a “lucrative” alternative market, according to new research.

Older shoppers ate over GBP1bn (US$1.57bn) of confectionery in 2011 and accounted for over 24% of UK sales – greater than children and teenagers combined, industry analysts at Canadean have claimed.

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more

The young consumer ate confectionery more frequently, which may have led manufacturers to “neglect” 14m older consumers in their fifties and sixties “with an appetite for the occasional indulgence”, Canadean said.

Older consumers have a “less of the best” approach to confectionery, Canadean argued in its Consumer Trends in the Confectionery Market in the UK, 2011 report.

“They prize quality and still have the disposable income to pay for it, leading them to opt for premium brands. Their love of good quality, their ability to pay for it and the sheer number of older consumers means this under-served GBP1bn market offers a potentially lucrative alternative to the competitive, crowded space of children’s confectionery.”

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

Just Food Excellence Awards - The Benefits of Entering

Gain the recognition you deserve! The Just Food Excellence Awards celebrate innovation, leadership, and impact. By entering, you showcase your achievements, elevate your industry profile, and position yourself among top leaders driving food industry advancements. Don’t miss your chance to stand out—submit your entry today!

Nominate Now