The UK sandwich market has grown in value by 2% in the past year, with the number of sandwiches sold up by 6%, according to data released today by the British Sandwich Association (BSA).

The total UK sandwich market was worth £7.25bn for the year to 2 May with around 3.5 billion sandwiches sold during the period. Sandwich bars accounted for 32% of the market, while staff canteens made up 13%, coffee shops 11% and multiple supermarkets 10%, said the BSA.

The average shopper buys just over one sandwich a week (55.1 per annum), but the figure is higher in in Scotland (60.4 per annum) and West Midlands (60.3). In the South West the average consumer has just 32.4 sandwiches per year preferring other savoury snack such as pasties.

Eating habits

“Over a third (36.1%) of sandwich trips also feature a hot beverage, but a strong over-index for cakes and pastries (24.8%) gives an insight into wider eating habits,” said the BSA. “Just 3% of sandwich eaters snack on chocolate while a tiny 0.4% have sugary confectionery.”

The top filling was chicken (31%) followed by cheese (13%) and ham (11%), while bacon accounted for just 5% of sandwich fillings.

Square sandwich bread is still the favourite carrier in front with 57%, while rolls and baps have 24% of the market are wraps have 5%.

On average a sandwich costs £2.07 and commercial sandwiches account for some 25% of the market.

The figures were published at the launch of the new www.lovesarnies.com smartphone app, which helps consumers find their nearest sandwich bars and enter competitions.

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