United Kingdom (UK) Food Storage Container Market Overview, 2029

The UK food storage container market is a symphony of tradition and innovation, offering a unique melody for investors and industry leaders. While global trends focus on convenience and portion control, British consumers crave a surprising twist: nostalgia. Unlike their American counterparts, UK consumers hold a deep fondness for vintage storage solutions like glass Kilner jars, originally designed for jams and preserves over a century ago. This enduring love affair translates to a thriving market for modern iterations of these iconic jars, often splashed with vibrant colors and quirky patterns. These trendy containers not only store food but also double as conversation starters at tea parties and picnics, a quintessentially British tradition. The UK boasts the highest per capita consumption of biscuits (cookies) in Europe, and this national obsession translates into a unique demand for food storage containers. Britons require not just containers for the biscuits themselves, but also specialized solutions for dunking companions like cheese and hummus. This fondness for dips and dunks has fueled the rise of stackable containers with divided compartments, allowing for the perfect pairing of crunchy and creamy. Brits are renowned for their love of gardening, and this extends to the food storage container market. Reusable containers with specialized ventilation systems are hugely popular for storing homegrown vegetables and herbs, extending their shelf life and reducing food waste. This eco-conscious approach reflects a growing trend in the UK, with consumers seeking sustainable storage solutions that minimize environmental impact. The UK pub culture is legendary, but takeaway pints are increasingly popular. This has spurred a demand for innovative, leak-proof containers designed specifically for transporting draft beer. These specialized containers not only prevent spills but also maintain the temperature and carbonation of the beer, ensuring a satisfying pint enjoyed at home.

According to the research report "The United Kingdom Food Storage Container Market Overview, 2029," published by Bonafide Research, the UK Food Storage Container market is projected to be valued at more than more than USD 5 Billion by 2029. The UK food storage container market is a dynamic space driven by a confluence of social, economic, and environmental factors. On one hand, busy lifestyles and a growing propensity for convenience food are propelling demand for practical solutions. Busy professionals and families are increasingly reliant on meal prepping, takeaway meals, and ready-to-eat options, all of which necessitate containers that can store and transport food portions effectively. This translates to a rise in popularity for containers that offer stackable designs for space optimization, leakproof closures for mess-free transportation, and microwave or dishwasher compatibility for reheating and easy cleaning. Furthermore, the UK's thriving ready-to-eat salad market is influencing container design, with an emphasis on portion control compartments and integrated utensils for on-the-go consumption. However, the UK market also faces significant challenges. Sustainability concerns are a growing priority for British consumers, with a rising tide of eco-conscious individuals shunning traditional single-use plastic containers. This has led to a surge in demand for reusable containers crafted from sustainable materials like bamboo, glass, and recycled plastic. Additionally, government regulations aimed at curbing plastic waste, such as the recent plastic bag levy, are likely to further influence consumer preferences and potentially restrict the use of certain materials in food storage containers. The market must also navigate the complexities of the UK retail landscape, where supermarkets exert significant buying power and prioritize cost-effectiveness. This can create a squeeze on profit margins for manufacturers of premium, eco-friendly containers, requiring them to strike a balance between functionality, sustainability, and affordability to cater to the value-conscious British consumer.

By product type, Bottles & Jars reign supreme, driven by the nation's love for tea, coffee, preserves, and condiments. Glass bottles capitalize on their perceived health benefits and aesthetics, while plastic counterparts offer affordability and lightweight convenience. Boxes, particularly stackable and space-saving designs, are increasingly popular for storing dry goods like cereals, pasta, and biscuits. Cans, a legacy of the convenience food boom, still hold a significant share for storing beans, chopped tomatoes, and condensed soups. However, their growth is tempered by health concerns and a shift towards fresh ingredients. Cups & Tubs cater to the demand for grab-and-go snacks, meal prepping, and leftover storage. Reusable plastic tubs are popular, but there's a rising interest in eco-friendly, stackable paper tubs for lunches and snacks. The "Others" segment is worth noting, with a growing presence of silicone bags and reusable pouches tapping into the demand for sustainable and space-saving storage solutions for packed lunches, freezing leftovers, and marinating. Material selection reflects a complex interplay of functionality, price, and environmental consciousness. Plastic remains dominant due to its affordability, lightweight nature, and versatility. However, concerns about BPA and microplastics are prompting a shift towards high-quality, BPA-free plastics. Glass containers are gaining traction due to their perceived safety, ease of cleaning, and ability to showcase food contents. Metal tins are experiencing a resurgence, particularly for biscuits, tea, and coffee storage, due to their vintage appeal and superior stackability. The "Other" material segment is worth mentioning for its potential. Biodegradable and compostable materials like bamboo and plant-based starches are gaining traction as consumers seek eco-friendly alternatives. Application segmentation reveals the UK's specific food storage habits. Refrigerator storage dominates, with plastic containers leading the way for leftovers, vegetables, and dairy products. Glass containers are favoured for storing delicate items and showcasing contents. Freezer storage solutions are driven by the popularity of meal prepping and bulk buying, with plastic tubs and zip-lock bags being the go-to options. Pantry storage leans towards reusable boxes and tins for dry goods, with an increasing focus on air-tight containers for pest control and freshness preservation. On-the-go storage, a rapidly growing segment, is fuelled by the UK's busy lifestyles. Reusable lunch containers made from plastic, silicone, or stainless steel are popular choices, with a growing demand for leak-proof and compartmentalized designs. The "Others" segment encompasses innovative solutions like heat-resistant glass containers for microwave reheating and portion control containers for healthy snacking.

The UK food storage container market is subject to a complex interplay of policy, regulation, and certification restrictions that significantly impact the types of materials, design features, and labelling requirements for products sold in the country. On the policy front, the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) spearheads initiatives to promote sustainable packaging practices and minimize food waste. This translates into a push for reusable food storage containers and restrictions on single-use plastics. The UK Plastics Plan, for instance, outlines a roadmap for phasing out single-use plastic packaging by 2 and implementing extended producer responsibility schemes that hold manufacturers accountable for the end-of-life management of their products. Additionally, the Courtauld Commitment, a voluntary agreement between government and major retailers, sets ambitious waste reduction targets for food and drink packaging, incentivizing the use of recycled content and easily recyclable materials in food storage containers. Regulation plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety and quality of food storage containers. The mainstays in this regard are the European Union (EU) Framework Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 on Materials and Articles Intended for Contact with Food and its UK counterpart, the Plastic Materials and Articles in Contact with Food Regulations 2011 (SI 2011 No. 1053). These regulations establish a stringent testing and compliance regime for materials used in food contact applications. Manufacturers must ensure their containers comply with migration limits for specific substances that may leach from the container into the food, potentially posing health risks. The regulations also mandate specific labelling requirements, including details on the intended use of the container, temperature limitations, and any special care instructions. Beyond these overarching regulations, the UK market adheres to various British Standards (BS) relevant to food storage containers. BS EN 1186:2002 specifies requirements for polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles, a common material for food containers, while BS EN 13430:2004 sets out standards for glass packaging used for food storage. These standards provide additional layers of assurance regarding the safety, performance, and durability of food storage containers. Finally, certification schemes play a valuable role in demonstrating a food storage container's adherence to specific sustainability or quality benchmarks. Organizations like WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) offer certification programs like the Recycled Plastic Standard that verifies the use of recycled content in containers. Similarly, certifications like the Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) can be obtained for containers made with wood or other bio-based materials, catering to the growing demand for eco-conscious products.

Considered in this report
• Historic year: 2018
• Base year: 2023
• Estimated year: 2024
• Forecast year: 2029



Aspects covered in this report
• Food Storage Container market Outlook with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Product Type
• Bottles & Jars
• Boxes
• Cans
• Cups & Tubs
• Others (Bags and pouch)

By Material
• Plastic
• Glass
• Metal
• Others

By Application
• Refrigerator storage
• Freezer Storage
• Pantry Storage
• On-the-go $ Lunch Containers
• Others

The approach of the report:
This report consists of a combined approach of primary and secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and list the companies that are present in it. The secondary research consists of third-party sources such as press releases, annual reports of companies, and government-generated reports and databases. After gathering the data from secondary sources, primary research was conducted by conducting telephone interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducting trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this; we have started making primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting them in regional aspects, tier aspects, age group, and gender. Once we have primary data with us, we can start verifying the details obtained from secondary sources.

Intended audience
This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations, and organizations related to the Food Storage Container industry, government bodies, and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing and presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.