Sustainable Kitchen’s Julie Cleijne advises on how to get the most out of the burgeoning plant-based market

If the record number of people signing up to Veganuary this month wasn’t enough to convince you that the plant-based movement is no longer a phase, then other factors such as the huge investment from large multinationals, and the increase in people adopting plant-based foods in lockdown surely point to this movement being firmly in the mainstream.

But when considering how to cater to these customers, we suggest incorporating other habits and trends that have emerged from lockdown life to ensure your plant-based retail strategy keeps your customers coming back. Here are our top three tips.

The kit

Staying in is the new going out! During lockdown, people sought comfort in food, followed recipes online, and watched live cook-alongs, then shared their home-made successes on social media. Pairing plant-based products with other ingredients and fresh fruit & veg, coupled with a recipe could help increase sales of multiple products. 

And don’t just limit kits to dinner. Working from home has become such the norm, that consumers no longer have the option to enjoy breakfast or lunch at a different eatery, or get their morning or afternoon coffee or tea fix from their favourite cafes on their commute or lunch break. Kits that include worktime snacks, teas, coffees and mini indulgences could prove effective. 

And remember that baking was a huge lockdown trend, with eggless and even flourless cakes proving popular experiments, so kits that indulge these interests could prove a winner.