New study reveals predicted consumer spending patterns for 2025 as over 1 in 3 expect to increase their spend on food

A new study released by the UK's top Out of Home media and infrastructure company, Clear Channel UK, shows over one in three people expect to increase their spending on food (36%) in 2025 compared to 2024, despite having money saving as their top New Year’s resolution.

Other product categories consumers are expecting to increase spending on include travel (31%), household items (23%), clothing (19%), entertainment (14%), drinks (10%), toiletries/cosmetics (9%), shoes (8%) and bags (6%) while one in five of us (20%) are determined to not increase their spending on any products/services at all.

The study of 2,000 respondents, conducted via OnePoll, also showed Gen Z (41%) and younger Millennials (27%) expect to increase their spending on clothing more than older age groups, while the latter expect to spend more money on food.

Interestingly, 47% of us Brits purchase products specifically to aid them in achieving their New Year’s resolutions, with 44% admitting to ultimately regretting these purchases.

Below is the list of top 10 most popular New Year’s resolutions for 2025:

1. Save more money - 42%

2. Exercise more - 40%

3. Eating healthier - 37%

4. Weight loss - 28%

5.Travel more - 23%

6. Emotional wellbeing - 22%

7. Trying new things/being more adventurous - 16%

8. Being more sustainable - 13%

9. Cutting down on drinking - 11%

10. Spending less money on eating out - 8%

There are also generational disparities when it comes to New Year’s resolutions. A high number of 18-24-year-olds (60%) and 25-34-year-olds (54%) cited money saving as their key goal for 2025. As the ages climb, saving money becomes less common among resolution-makers, with only 44% of 35-44-year-olds, 40% of 45-54-year-olds, 32% of 55-64-year-olds and 26% of 65 and over seeking to adopt frugal living.

Gen Z and Millennials are more likely to focus on emotional well-being as a New Year’s resolution than older generations. Nearly one in three 25-34-year-olds (29%) and 18-24-year-olds (28%) chose emotional wellbeing as their focus for 2025. People aged 44 and over are 10% less likely to focus on emotional wellbeing.

When asked about openness to new brands, Gen Z shopping habits suggest they are more likely to step out of their comfort zone and experiment with new brands than older generations. One in five (21%) of 18-24-year-olds and nearly a quarter of 25-34-year-olds (24%) claim to want to try new brands. That figure is almost three times higher than those aged 45 and over.

Food (47%), clothing (35%), household items (31%), toiletries/cosmetics (28%) and drinks (24%) were revealed as the top product categories people are looking to try from a different brand.

When it comes to main motivators for trying new products, the most popular responses were: when recommended by a friend (52%), when being exposed to advertising (23%), around specific occasions of the year (22%), the beginning of the year (20%) and when the product goes viral (18%).

Other key findings from the study:

- Men (10%) are more likely to consistently stick to their New Year’s resolutions than women (6%).

- Millennials and younger; those aged 18-24 (27%), 25-34 (31%), and 35-44 (25%) are more inclined to try a new brand after being repeatedly exposed to advertising.

- Top reasons for trying new products are affordability, better product reviews, superior quality, brand reputation and dissatisfaction with a current product.

- Men (19%) are more likely to try new brands than women (10%).

- 1 in 5 (19%) of 18-24-year-olds are planning to increase their spending on toiletries and cosmetics - almost double what older generations are planning to spend on the same category.

Ben Hope, who is Marketing Director at Clear Channel, said: ‘’Our study shows while younger generations are prioritising money saving for 2025, they are also more open to trying new brands after becoming aware through advertising - particularly Gen Z and Millennials. 

"This suggests they are a perfect target for marketers who plan to expand their reach. Of course, retailers can effectively leverage Out of Home advertising to influence these audiences. Our study will help brands to better understand key opportunities this year and give them a better idea of how their customers plan to spend their money in 2025.”

Clear Channel UK is one of the UK’s largest Out of Home media and infrastructure companies, operating more than 33,000 advertising sites nationwide and employing 600+ people in 14 locations.

https://www.clearchannel.co.uk/latest/refresh-your-brand-strategy-through-new-years-resolutions

Savvy Savings: Eating and Drinking Well on a Budget

In today's economic climate, many of us are looking for ways to cut costs without sacrificing the quality of our food and drink. 

It's entirely possible to eat and drink well on a budget with a bit of planning, creativity, and smart shopping. 

Here are some practical tips to help you reduce your spending while still enjoying delicious and nutritious meals.

Plan Your Meals

Meal planning is a powerful tool for saving money. By planning your meals for the week, you can avoid impulse purchases and reduce food waste.

Make a Weekly Menu: Decide on your meals for the week and make a shopping list based on the ingredients you'll need.

Use What You Have: Check your cupboards, fridge, and freezer for items that need using up and incorporate them into your meal plan.

Batch Cooking: Prepare large quantities of meals that can be portioned out and frozen. This not only saves time but also ensures you always have a homemade meal ready to go.

Shop Smart

Knowing where and how to shop can make a big difference to your food budget.

Buy in Bulk: Items like rice, pasta, and tinned goods are often cheaper when bought in larger quantities. Just make sure you'll use them before they expire.

Shop Seasonally: Seasonal fruits and vegetables are usually less expensive and fresher than out-of-season produce.

Check for Offers: Look out for sales, discounts, and multi-buy offers. But be cautious – only buy what you need or can store.

Own-Brand Products: Supermarket own-brand products are often just as good as branded ones and significantly cheaper.

Check Out Your Nearest Foodbanks: There's no shame in needing a bit of help. And you'll help the environment, too, by helping retailers move surplus stock.

Download the Too Good To Go App:

Visit Local Markets: Farmers' markets and local shops can offer fresh produce at lower prices, especially if you go near the end of the trading day when sellers may discount unsold items.

Cook at Home

Eating out and buying takeaways can quickly add up. Cooking at home is one of the best ways to save money.

Learn Basic Recipes: Master a few basic recipes that you can easily adapt with different ingredients.

Cook from Scratch: Pre-packaged foods are often more expensive and less healthy than homemade versions.

Leftover Magic: Use leftovers creatively to make new meals, such as turning roast dinner leftovers into a hearty soup or curry.

Grow Your Own

If you have the space, growing your own herbs, fruits, and vegetables can be very rewarding and cost-effective.

Herbs: Herbs are easy to grow in pots on a windowsill or balcony and can add flavour to your meals.

Vegetables: Vegetables like tomatoes, courgettes, and lettuce can be grown in small gardens or even containers.

Fruits: Berry bushes and fruit trees can provide a bountiful harvest with a little care.

Waste Not, Want Not

Reducing food waste is essential for saving money and being environmentally friendly.

Proper Storage: Learn how to store food correctly to extend its shelf life. For example, keep potatoes in a cool, dark place and store leafy greens in the fridge.

Portion Control: Avoid cooking more than you need by paying attention to portion sizes.

Use Every Part: Find ways to use all parts of your food. For example, make vegetable stock from peelings and scraps or use stale bread for breadcrumbs.

Drink Wisely

Drinks can be a significant part of your food budget, but there are ways to enjoy them without overspending.

Brew at Home: Make your own coffee and tea instead of buying from cafes.

Tap Water: Drink tap water instead of bottled water. Invest in a good filter if you prefer.

Homemade Drinks: Make homemade versions of your favourite drinks, such as smoothies, iced tea, and lemonade.

Creative Cooking Tips

Use Cheaper Cuts: Opt for less expensive cuts of meat, such as chicken thighs or pork shoulder, which can be just as tasty when cooked properly.

Plant-Based Meals: Incorporate more plant-based meals into your diet. Beans, lentils, and grains are affordable and nutritious.

Flavour Boosters: Use spices, herbs, and condiments to add flavour to your meals without increasing costs significantly.

Sample Budget-Friendly Meal Plan

Monday

Breakfast: Porridge with seasonal fruit

Lunch: Lentil soup with homemade bread

Dinner: Vegetable stir-fry with rice

Tuesday

Breakfast: Toast with peanut butter and banana

Lunch: Leftover lentil soup

Dinner: Chicken and vegetable curry with homemade naan

Wednesday

Breakfast: Smoothie made with leftover fruit

Lunch: Chickpea salad with mixed greens

Dinner: Spaghetti with homemade tomato sauce and garlic bread

Thursday

Breakfast: Overnight oats with berries

Lunch: Leftover chicken curry

Dinner: Baked potatoes with beans and cheese

Friday

Breakfast: Homemade granola with yoghurt

Lunch: Vegetable and hummus wrap

Dinner: Fishcakes with steamed vegetables

Saturday

Breakfast: Scrambled eggs on toast

Lunch: Tomato and basil pasta

Dinner: Homemade pizza with assorted toppings

Sunday

Breakfast: Pancakes with maple syrup

Lunch: Quiche with a side salad

Dinner: Roast chicken with potatoes and seasonal vegetables

Conclusion

By planning your meals, shopping smart, and cooking at home, you can significantly reduce your food and drink spending while still enjoying delicious and nutritious meals. With these tips, you'll find that eating well on a budget is not only possible but also enjoyable. Happy cooking and happy saving!

Food shopping made simpler and easier as Asda displays daily fuel prices online

Food shoppers looking to fill their car boots with groceries at the same time as they fill their car with fuel, will appreciate the latest idea from Asda, as Asda's become the first supermarket in the UK to publish local fuel prices online, thus empowering and enabling motorists to check the price of petrol or diesel before they even get in their car.

Asda's confirmed fuel prices at each Asda filling station will be available alongside other key information on the Asda Store Locator pages https://storelocator.asda.com.

The latest fuel prices will be available on the store locator page from 10.30am every morning and will show the previous day’s closing price, too.

Asda is continuing to develop a system to display real-time pricing and it expects that this will be working in the coming months.

Asda is also continuing to work collaboratively with the Government as they develop an industry-wide fuel finder scheme.

A spokesman for Asda said: “We at Asda are very proud to be the price leader in fuel costs and by sharing our prices online, customers will be able to find the best value at the pumps before they get in the car.”

www.asda.com