Those two pieces of bread and filling still come out on top when it comes to keeping the UK workforce going, according to this latest survey.
The research was carried out by Taylor Nelson Sofres for the British Sandwich Association (BSA) – who you’d think would have more than a vested interest in the results – and published in the BSA’s Sandwich Industry Review 2002. The report indicates that in today’s ‘time poor, cash rich’ society, speed and convenience are the ultimate factors associated with lunch, and sandwiches fit perfectly into the British culture of longer working hours and less kitchen time.
The average Briton eats 155 sandwiches a year. The British sandwich market is currently worth over three billion pounds and sales are dominated by sandwiches purchased at work (20 per cent of all bought sandwiches), in supermarkets (19 per cent) and in sandwich bars and cafés (18 per cent).
Full-time workers are responsible for 60 per cent of all sandwich purchases with people in London accounting for 25 per cent of all sandwiches purchased in Britain.
As consumers show a preference for convenient, lighter meals, caterers and retailers are increasing their offering of a variety of pre-packed and freshly made sandwiches, such as rolls, baps and baguettes. However, the most popular type remains the pre-packed wedge, which accounts for 50 per cent of all sandwiches purchased. Chicken is the most popular filling, taking 21 per cent share, ahead of cheese (16 per cent) and ham (13 per cent).
Other Key Findings
The typical sandwich consumer is predominantly young, male and in full-time employment. Males account for 57 per cent of all sandwiches purchased.
Three in ten adults purchase sandwiches in a week, with people under 35 accounting for half of all sandwiches purchased.
If you piled all the sandwiches we eat in a year end to end they would reach the moon and back twice.
The average price of a sandwich can vary according to the place where it is purchased. Sandwiches bought at work cost on average £1.25 each, whereas sandwiches purchased from a café or sandwich bar are priced at approximately £2.00.
