Trend Tracker

Which Brands are The Most Popular Healthy Meal Delivery Service in the UK

Nutrition
Healthy Meal Delivery

Search Volume Trends

Share of Search

Market Competitiveness

Data Refreshed Monthly

Dimensions:

Hello Fresh, Gousto, Abel and Cole, Mindful Chef, Prep Kitchen, Simmer Eats, Musclefood, Greenchef, Lions Prep

Metrics:

Search Volume, Brand Share of Search

Tracker and Analyst Summary

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Overview:

Our trend tracker focuses on the most-searched-for healthy meal delivery services in the UK, including renowned brands like Gousto, Hellofresh, Mindful Chef, Abel and Cole, Musclefood, Lions Prep, Prep Kitchen Greenchef and Simmer Eats. This tracker seeks to provide insights into the evolving consumer preferences and trends within the thriving market of healthy meal delivery services.
 
Tracking the branded share of search for healthy meal delivery services in the UK offers valuable insights into market dynamics, consumer behaviour, and brand performance within this rapidly evolving sector. Gousto and Hellofresh have been the major players in this niche category over the last few years, particularly thriving during COVID. However, there has been an emergence of niche and specialised players and we are tracking the trends to compare who is winning the race for branded search.

Rationale:

The healthy meal delivery service market has become a significant and rapidly growing sector within the broader food and beverage industry, particularly in the UK. This market is important to track for several reasons, and understanding the shifts in branded search can provide critical insights into the competitive landscape:

 

1. Increased Demand for Convenience and Health
  • Consumer Behaviour Shift: Over the past decade, there has been a marked shift in consumer behaviour towards convenience without compromising on health. Busy lifestyles, particularly in urban areas, have driven a demand for easy-to-prepare, nutritious meals delivered to the door. Healthy meal delivery services cater directly to this need, offering convenience, time savings, and health benefits.
  • COVID-19 Impact: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly accelerated this trend. Lockdowns and health concerns led more people to seek out home delivery options, and companies like Gousto and Hellofresh thrived as they provided reliable, healthy alternatives to supermarket shopping. Tracking this market helps understand whether these behaviours are sustained in a post-pandemic world or if they shift as life normalises.

 

2. Dominance of Major Players
  • Gousto and Hellofresh: These two brands have established themselves as market leaders due to their extensive marketing campaigns, broad meal options, and significant investment in technology and logistics. Their success during the pandemic highlighted the importance of scalability and brand recognition in capturing market share.
  • Market Saturation and Brand Loyalty: As the market matures, it becomes increasingly important to track how these giants maintain their dominance. Are they continuing to innovate and retain customer loyalty, or are they facing challenges from emerging competitors? Tracking branded search allows us to see if consumers are sticking with well-known brands or exploring alternatives.

 

3. Emergence of Niche and Specialised Players
  • Specialisation and Differentiation: While Gousto and Hellofresh cater to a broad audience, newer entrants into the market are increasingly focused on niche segments. For example, Mindful Chef emphasises health and wellness, Abel and Cole focuses on organic produce, and Musclefood targets fitness enthusiasts. These specialised players are carving out distinct market segments by addressing specific consumer needs, whether it’s dietary preferences, sustainability, or lifestyle goals.
  • Consumer Interest in Niche Offerings: As consumer preferences evolve, there is growing interest in these more tailored services. Tracking the branded search volume of these niche brands can provide early indicators of shifts in consumer demand and the growing importance of personalisation in the food industry.

 

4. Competitive Dynamics and Market Evolution
  • Market Fragmentation: The rise of niche players indicates a potential fragmentation of the market, where instead of a few dominant players, we may see a more diversified landscape with multiple smaller brands capturing specific consumer segments. This fragmentation could lead to more intense competition and innovation, making it critical to monitor which brands are gaining traction.
  • Innovation and Adaptation: The competitive dynamics of this market drive continuous innovation. Established players need to adapt to maintain their market position, while new entrants often bring fresh ideas and approaches. Tracking search trends helps identify which brands are leading in innovation and which might be losing relevance.

 

5. Economic and Cultural Impacts
  • Economic Significance: The meal delivery service market has a substantial economic impact, influencing food production, supply chains, and consumer spending patterns. Monitoring this market provides insights into broader economic trends, such as shifts in consumer discretionary spending and changes in the food and beverage industry.
  • Cultural Shifts: The popularity of healthy meal delivery services also reflects broader cultural shifts towards wellness, sustainability, and ethical consumption. By tracking the rise of these services, we gain a window into changing cultural values and priorities, which can have long-term implications for the food industry and beyond.

 

6. Implications for Other Industries
  • Impact on Retail and Hospitality: The growth of meal delivery services has implications for traditional grocery retail and the restaurant industry. Understanding trends in this sector can help predict potential disruptions or opportunities for these related industries.
  • Supply Chain and Sustainability: As these services grow, so does their impact on supply chains, particularly in terms of sourcing ingredients and managing waste. Companies that can effectively manage these challenges while meeting consumer demand for sustainability may have a competitive edge.

Key Insights:

  • Significant UK Growth: The healthy meal delivery services market in the UK has seen significant growth and evolution over the past few years, driven by a combination of pandemic-related demand, changing consumer preferences, and the rise of niche players.
  • Dominant players but scope for specialised players to emerge: HelloFresh and Gousto remain the dominant forces, but the increasing visibility and share of search for specialised brands like Mindful Chef, Abel & Cole, and Greenchef indicate a shift towards more tailored offerings.
  • Increasing market competition: The market is becoming more competitive, with new entrants continuing to emerge, suggesting that consumer interest in healthy meal delivery services is likely to remain strong and diverse in the coming years.

Why use this tracker:

This tracker provides insight into the competitiveness of the meal delivery service market in the UK with a focus on health. It highlights the affect over time that new entrants will have on the market, particularly how dominant players will react to the threat. It can help detect market trends, consumer behaviour, gaps in the market and help to identify opportunities for innovation and product development.

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Share of Search is a metric that measures the proportion of search queries for a specific brand or search term compared to the total searches within a particular category or market. Share of Search is an essential data drive tool for forecasting future trends.

Brand Share of Search serves as an indicator of a brand’s visibility and popularity relative to its competitors. By tracking Brand Share of Search, companies can gauge their brand awareness, understand their competitive positioning, and monitor shifts in consumer interest over time. This metric is particularly valuable as it often correlates with broader market trends, providing insights that can inform marketing strategies, brand positioning, and business growth efforts.

Non-branded Share of Search can be used to gain insights into shifting consumer interest and preferences. Fluctuations in share of search for different non branded search terms can provide early signals of emerging trends. For example, if searches for “Vitamin B Supplements” decline while “Vitamin D Supplements” rise, it could point to a shift in consumer preference. The metric is particularly useful for resource allocation, marketing messaging and product development to align with consumer preferences. 

Yes the data for each chart, graph and table can be downloaded into xls. and csv. files by clicking on the download data icon.

Yes, you can download the slide deck into pdf, jpeg and png files by clicking the 3 dots icon in the top right corner of each presentation and then clicking the download icon.

Yes, by clicking the 3 dots icon in the top right corner and then clicking the presentation icon, the tracker will be displayed as a full screen interactive presentation.

The data is updated on a monthly basis, however, the day of the month our tracker updates varies from tracker to tracker.

Search Volume and Market Size: Our trackers provide data on search volume for tracked topics, search terms or brands. Whilst not directly correlated, in some instances, it can provide an indication of market size and maturity. 

Stay Ahead of Market Trends: Trackers provide early detection of emerging trends, allowing professionals to anticipate shifts in consumer behaviour and capitalise on new opportunities before competitors.

Consumer Behaviour: By analysing search behaviours and volume, professionals can make data-driven decisions that align with consumer interests, improving product development, marketing strategies, and overall business outcomes.

Gain Competitive Insights: Trackers enable professionals to benchmark their brand’s search presence against competitors, offering insights into brand health, market positioning, and areas for improvement. It can also provide an indication of the overall competitiveness of the market in question.

Monitor Brand Performance: Regularly tracking brand share of search and related metrics allows professionals to assess the effectiveness of brand performance in the market and analyse market share.

Predict Future Market Share: By tracking trends in search volume and brand share of search, professionals can identify patterns that often precede changes in market share. This foresight allows them to proactively adjust strategies, optimise resource allocation, and position their brand for growth in a competitive market.

Trend trackers are essential tools for professionals in the health, wellness, and fitness industry, enabling them to stay informed about emerging market trends, consumer behaviours, and shifts in brand dynamics. By regularly analysing real-time data and comparing trends across factors such as seasonality, location, and sub-topics, professionals can gain a comprehensive understanding of their market. The ability to download data for your own in-depth analysis requirements allows for customised insights tailored to specific business needs. Furthermore, the tools for creating visual presentations and slide decks help effectively communicate these insights to stakeholders.

Moreover, these trackers can be used to predict future market share by analysing historical data and identifying patterns that indicate potential shifts in consumer interest and market dynamics. This foresight allows businesses to proactively adjust their strategies, ensuring they remain competitive and positioned for growth. In essence, trend trackers empower professionals to make data-driven decisions that enhance their ability to capture and maintain market share in a rapidly evolving industry.