>>health is a big driver… high-profile brands continue to sell well… indulgent taste and probiotics are key growth factors…

Musgrave Budgens-Londis trading manager
The market for both yoghurts and pot desserts is growing. There has been continual innovation, with consumers wanting both natural, healthy products and, at the other end of the spectrum, premium, indulgent options. Health is a big driver.
Consumers are asking the questions: Is it good for me? What will it do for me? What does it contain?
The market continues to be extremely competitive, with major investment from some big players.
New flavours and ideas will keep the excitement going in the fixture.
Nisachill/freeze buying controller
Brands that have performed well for us year-on-year are linked to healthy lifestyle, such as Shape, Activia, Actimel, Onken, Weight Watchers and Yeo Valley.
The market is brimming with drinking yoghurt brands, but we have to be selective as the market will eventually slow down or change and we will end up with too big a range, and too much shelf space for a market that has been over-subscribed.
While there continue to be brand and range developments, the brands that were on the market first and continue to deliver a high-profile consistent message (such as Yakult and Actimel) continue to sell well.
category buyer, the Co-operative Group
Growth is coming from two areas - indulgent taste and healthy products.
Consumers are under pressure to lead healthy lifestyles, and this is having an effect on the growth of the sector. The yoghurt drink sector has also grown strongly due to its healthy properties, which include probiotic bacteria.
The Co-op has concentrated on buy-one-get-one-free offers and multibuys to create fridge fodder in consumers’ homes. This has proved to be successful, together with a new ranging strategy that now includes yoghurt drinks along with yoghurts and desserts.
Laura Kingsman
Steve Dixon
Nicci Townley